Grant helps “undiscovered” destinations expand tourism offerings
May 21, 2026
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) is pleased to announce the most recent award recipients of the Undiscovered SC tourism grant: Chester County, the Town of Winnsboro, the City of Westminster, the Town of Pageland, and the City of Walterboro. Applications are now open to county and municipal governments for the next round of grant funding.
The Undiscovered SC grant program assists communities with the development of publicly owned tourism products and attractions that bring visitors to “undiscovered” parts of the Palmetto State.
The five recipients selected in the 2025 grant cycle will receive a total of $750,000 to complete local tourism projects.
The five recipients selected in the 2025 grant cycle will receive a total of $750,000 to complete local tourism projects.
- Chester County | Veterans History Center Exhibit Development | $100,000 grant
This project will transform a 1,000-square-foot alcove within the Gateway Conference Center into a permanent anchor for the county’s military and veteran heritage and will serve as a gateway to countywide tourism. - Town of Winnsboro | Old Armory Revitalization Project | $200,000 grant
This project will construct a new roof and new HVAC system at the Old Armory at Fortune Springs Park, which is used for meetings and events. - City of Westminster | William Bartram Statue: Witness to SC Wild Heart | $95,000 grant
This project will design and construct a statue of William Bartram, a renowned 18th-century botanist, explorer, and naturalist. - Town of Pageland | Pigg Park Cultural Amphitheater Project | $200,000 grant
This project will construct a full-scale amphitheater as the central feature of the Pigg Park revitalization. - City of Walterboro | Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary Boardwalks & Bridges | $155,000 grant
This revitalization project will improve access to the Sanctuary by rebuilding the boardwalks and bridges that cross its paths and utilizing more durable materials to ensure longevity.
These five recipients were selected based on the program’s four evaluation criteria: Project Need, Project Planning & Readiness, Scope of Work, and Strategic Impact.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and submit their pre-applications for the next award cycle.
2026 Undiscovered South Carolina grant information and eligibility criteria:
- Grants range from $50,000 to $200,000
- Grantees are required to make a 1 to 1 cash match
- The applicant must be a county or municipal government with Accommodations Tax distributions of $1,250,000 or less, according to data released by the State Treasurer’s Office
- Quick and easy pre-applications are due June 26 and must be submitted using SCPRT’s online Webgrants portal.
Find additional award criteria and eligibility information at scprt.com/tourism/grants/undiscovered-sc-grant. Learn more about SCPRT grant programs at scprt.com/grants.
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