The Polk County Board of Commissioners are getting serious enough about privatizing travel and tourism oversight to be crunching numbers. Should they follow through with the idea, the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce would assume the responsibilities. Polk County funds its portion of the chamber through a 3% occupancy tax and a general fund allocation, amounting to approximately $65,000 and $70,000, respectively. The chamber also fundraises through membership dues and special events. Should the county quit, the chamber would lose the latter disbursement, eliminating the position of travel and tourism director from its payroll.
The Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce represents Polk County and Landrum, SC. 75% of NC chambers of commerce are not run by government.
