A proposed 1% increase to Aiken’s hospitality tax is drawing mixed reactions from business owners and community organizations.

Supporters say the additional revenue could help fund recreational improvements and attract more visitors to the city. Opponents question how the money would be spent and worry the increase could create an additional burden for businesses and customers.

Clarissa Kuhl, owner of Oh Mie Stelle Bakery, said she wants city leaders to present a clear plan for how the additional tax revenue would be used.

“We need to plan a real solid plan for what we’re gonna spend this hospitality tax on,” Kuhl said. “Our original 1%, it wasn’t clear that we got what we expected to get out of the original 1%. So now with adding the additional 1%, what we’d like to see is that we’re gonna actually get what we ask, what we’re expected to get now for this 1%.”

Read more at WJBF.