Strengthening the Future of Athens Special Events

Free-to-attend events are the heartbeat of Athens’ identity and a primary driver of our local economic ecosystem.

How Athens Special Events Are Funded?

Athens’ largest free-to-attend community events are funded in part through the Community Enhancement Program (CEP). CEP funding comes from the Hotel/Motel Tax — a 7¢ tax on every dollar spent on hotel and short-term rental stays in Athens-Clarke County. These funds are specifically intended to support tourism, economic development, and community-enhancing activities.

Special events are one of the most visible, public-facing uses of this fund. Right now, Special Events (Athfest, Twilight, Wild Rumpus, etc.) receive ONLY $250,000
ACC Hotel/Motel Fund budget breakdown

The Current Situation

  • Total Hotel/Motel Fund (Annual): ~$6+ million
  • CEP Allocation to Special Events: $250,000
  • Percentage of Hotel/Motel Fund going to Events: ~4%

Meanwhile…

  • Combined budgets of 10 major Athens events: $800,000+.
  • Mandatory city costs (police, permits, services): $85,887
  • Volunteer labor contributed: 2,408 hours
  • Special Events are FREE to the public, attended by families.
  • Comparable cities like Durham (NC), Chatanooga (GA), and Gainesville (FL) have surpassed Athens in their budget allocation.

The Problem: The Sustainability Gap

Special events are not private ventures — they are public infrastructure. Rising Operational Costs: Combined event budgets have climbed to $800,000, yet current ACC support remains stagnant at $250,000

Special events are not private ventures — they are public infrastructure:
  • They require police, permitting, sanitation, and emergency services
  • They are free and accessible to all residents
  • They generate tourism, hotel stays, and downtown spending
  • They directly employ local musicians, artists, vendors, technicians, and staff
As production costs rise, events are increasingly forced to:
  • Rely on unpaid labor
  • Underpay skilled staff
  • Reduce programming or scale
  • Seek sponsorships that compromise the character of the event

$85,887

Mandatory City Costs (Police, Permits, etc.).

$250,000

Current City Support (CEP).

$800,000+

Combined Budgets of 10 Special Events

The Recommendations

  • IIncrease annual CEP funding from $250,000 to $_______.
  • Reflects inflation and rising operational costs
  • Protects the long-term viability of existing events
  • Allows for responsible growth and new events
  • Still represents a small percentage of the Hotel/Motel Fund
  • Raise Individual Funding Cap to $______ to allow for skilled staff and fair pay. This allows events to:
  • Pay skilled staff and crew fairly
  • Convert key volunteer roles into paid positions
  • Maintain safety, quality, and professionalism
  • Avoid over-commercialization while preserving community character

Why this Matters

  • Economic Catalyst: Funding stays local, supporting musicians, vendors, and small businesses.
  • Tourism Engine: These events are annual lifestyle-defining drivers for visits to Athens.
  • Civic Identity: Festivals define our reputation and provide avenues for cultural expression.
  • High ROI: A $800k+ combined budget powered by 2,408 volunteer hours.
Download the Recommendation Report

WHAT WE’RE ASKING

  • Increase CEP funding for Special Events
  • Align public investment with real costs and real impact
  • Ensure Athens’ signature free events remain viable, safe, and community-centered

Special events return Hotel/Motel tax dollars directly back into Athens — into local wages, local businesses, and local culture.