News Summary
In a controversial vote, the Cayce City Council decided to allocate all regional tourism funding to the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. The decision, introduced by Councilmember Phil Carter, was passed with a 3-1 vote, directing $44,000 to the chamber. Mayor Elise Partin raised concerns about the implications of focusing funds on local interests rather than regional tourism efforts. The vote contradicts the Accommodations Tax Committee’s recommendations and has sparked dialogue on transparency in funding decisions.
Cayce, SC – In a controversial decision, the Cayce City Council voted on June 3, 2025, to allocate all regional tourism funding to the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. The motion, introduced by District Four Councilmember Phil Carter, passed with a vote of 3-1, directing $44,000 to the chamber. This funding was initially expected to be divided among three organizations: the Chamber, Capital City/Lake Murray Country, and Experience Columbia.
Mayor Elise Partin and representatives from the two other tourism organizations were caught off guard by the last-minute changes to the funding allocation. Mayor Partin, who cast the dissenting vote, raised concerns about the implications of providing taxpayer money to support an entity focused solely on local interests while hampering regional tourism efforts. Carter’s rationale for the motion centered around the belief that public funds should not be sent to promote neighboring counties.
The vote directly contradicted recommendations made by the Accommodations Tax Committee, which suggested that the available funding should be almost evenly split between the three organizations to promote tourism across a broader area. Mayor Partin expressed strong disagreement with Carter’s stance, labeling his reasoning as “nonsensical” and highlighting the lack of dedicated tourism personnel within the Chamber, which she argued would hinder effective promotional efforts.
The Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber currently represents over 400 local businesses, indicating a substantial reliance on the chamber’s influence in the local economy. Mayor Pro Tem Tim James, who recused himself from the vote due to his role as the chamber’s CEO since 2020, has been an influential figure in the discussions surrounding tourism funding in the region. The South Carolina Ethics Act suggests that he may have needed to step away from discussions related to this decision due to his connections with the chamber.
The other organizations impacted by this funding decision have voiced their concerns regarding the significant financial loss. Miriam Atria, who serves as president and CEO of Capital City/Lake Murray Country, indicated that the absence of the funding would directly affect their operational capabilities and marketing efforts aimed at promoting the local region effectively. Additionally, Bill Ellen, the president of Experience Columbia, remarked on the substantial impact their historical funding had on overall tourism in the region over the past decade, underscoring their commitment to continue promoting Cayce despite the loss of funds.
Despite the funding cut, Capital City/Lake Murray Country and Experience Columbia have expressed their ongoing dedication to fostering tourism in the area. Atria mentioned the need to realign their marketing strategies in light of the reduced budget while emphasizing the importance of promoting Cayce as a travel destination.
The final decision regarding how the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber will utilize the $44,000 in allocated funds will be determined by its executive board. The council’s controversial decision raises questions about the future funding distribution and the potential implications for tourism promotion in the surrounding areas.
As the implications of this decision unfold, stakeholders in the tourism sector will be closely monitoring its impact on regional collaboration and tourism marketing strategies going forward. The council’s move has sparked a dialogue regarding transparency in funding decisions and collaboration among organizations dedicated to the promotion of Cayce and the larger surrounding areas. The evolving situation in Cayce reflects ongoing challenges and discussions surrounding the allocation of tourism funding and the importance of a unified approach to marketing regional attractions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Columbia City Lights Initiative to Enhance Downtown Skyline
Hurricane Helene Approaches Columbia, SC
Lexington County to Celebrate 250 Years of American Revolution
Community Remembers Beloved Outdoorsman Marshall West
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Cayce Council Tourism Funding
- Wikipedia: Tourism in the United States
- Post and Courier: Cayce Tourism Funding
- Google Search: Cayce tourism funding
- The State: Politics and Government
- Google Scholar: tourism funding allocation
- The State: Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: local government funding
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
