SCPRT

What SCPRT does

SCPRT (South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism) is a cabinet-level state agency headquartered at 1205 Pendleton Street in Columbia, South Carolina, created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967 to consolidate management of state parks, tourism promotion, and recreation development. The agency operates three interconnected service lines: (1) State Parks, managing 80,000+ acres (some sources cite 90,000+) of parkland across South Carolina including mountains, inland lakes, sand hills, and coastal areas with historic structures dating to the Civilian Conservation Corps era (1933-1942); (2) Tourism marketing through DiscoverSouthCarolina.com, nine Welcome Centers operating 361 days per year at state border entry points, the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel, and international sales programs targeting Europe and Canada; and (3) Recreation Assistance to local communities through grant programs and the federally-mandated Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) that maintains LWCF eligibility. The agency also operates the South Carolina Film Commission, which administers a $15.5M annual cash rebate program (30% supplier rebate, 25%/20% wage rebates), maintains a 9,000+ location film scouting database via Reel-Scout, and issues film production grants through partnerships with Trident Technical College and the University of South Carolina.

The agency's revenue mechanics are government-structured: primary funding comes from state appropriations, supplemented by state park user fees (entrance fees, cabin rentals, camping fees dating to 1976), Governor's Conference registration ($275-$475 per attendee), a $75 one-time Front Porch Program application fee, film permit fees ($100-$1,000 depending on duration and effect type), and cooperative advertising contributions from tourism partners. The Film Commission's $15.5M annual rebate fund is administered as pass-through to qualifying productions rather than retained as agency revenue. Customer segments are diversified across domestic tourists, international visitors from Germany/Switzerland/Austria/UK/Ireland/Canada/secondary European and Asian markets, state park users, film and television productions, tourism industry partners (accommodations, attractions, events, festivals), local municipalities seeking recreation grants, and educational users (25,000+ school children annually through the Discover Carolina program). Distribution operates through both physical channels (nine Welcome Centers, 90,000+ acres of parks) and digital channels (DiscoverSouthCarolina.com, partner.scprt.com, social media accounts for Discover South Carolina and South Carolina State Parks). Sub-brands include Discover South Carolina, South Carolina State Parks, and the South Carolina Film Commission.

Name

SCPRT

Legal name

South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Website

https://scprt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SCPRT is South Carolina's cabinet agency operating 80,000+ acres of state parks, promoting tourism via DiscoverSouthCarolina.com and nine Welcome Centers, assisting local recreation development, and administering the Film Commission's production incentives and location services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Tourism and Parks Agency Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Conservation Parks & Private Nature Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAB), Recreation, Ecotourism & Access Rights (Hunting, Fishing, Camping) (AFAMAMAD)

Keywords

• State parks management
• Tourism promotion
• Recreation development
• Film commission services
• State tourism marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourism Promotion Services: SCPRT operates as a state government cabinet agency funded through state appropriations, visitor fees, and tourism industry partnerships. The agency promotes South Carolina as a vacation destination and assists communities in recreation development.
2. State Park User Fees: Revenue generated from park entrance fees, cabin rentals, camping fees, and recreational facilities. Entrance fees began in 1976 at selected parks for revenue enhancement and traffic control.
3. Film Production Incentives Administration: The Film Commission administers cash rebate programs for qualifying film and television productions. Productions spending $1,000,000+ qualify for 30% supplier rebates, 25% wage rebates (residents), 20% wage rebates (non-residents). Annual rebate fund of approximately $15,500,000 is replenished each July 1.
4. Investor Tax Credits: State income tax credits for investors in SC motion pictures (up to 20%, max $100,000 per taxpayer) and production/post-production facilities (up to 20%, max $5 million per facility)
5. Tourism Partner Listings: Free accommodation and event listings on DiscoverSouthCarolina.com; attractions are no longer listed. Partner portal for ongoing listing management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

SCPRT operates and manages South Carolina's state park system across 80,000+ acres of diverse landscapes (mountains, lakes, sand hills, coastal areas), markets the state as a preferred vacation destination through DiscoverSouthCarolina.com and nine Welcome Centers, provides grant funding and planning assistance to local communities for recreation development, and operates the South Carolina Film Commission offering production incentives (30% supplier rebates, 25%/20% wage rebates), location matching, permits, and crew resources.

Product overview

SCPRT is a cabinet agency providing three interconnected service lines: (1) State Parks management of over 90,000 acres including natural, historic, and recreational sites across South Carolina; (2) Tourism marketing through DiscoverSouthCarolina.com, nine Welcome Centers, annual advertising programs, and international sales; and (3) Recreation assistance to communities via grant programs including LWCF and SCORP planning. The agency also operates the Film Commission offering production incentives (cash rebates up to 30%), location services via Reel-Scout, permits, training, and production grants. Key platforms include partner.scprt.com for partner listings and the Discover Carolina educational program. Additional services encompass the Governor's Conference on Tourism, volunteer and Friends Groups programs, and Front Porch Program for visitor center partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• South Carolina State Parks Operated and managed state park system encompassing over 90,000 acres of diverse landscapes including mountains, inland lakes, sand hills, and coastal areas, with 80,000+ acres under active management. Offers camping, cabin rentals, day-use recreation, nature interpretation, and historical site preservation to residents and visitors.
• Tourism Marketing and Discover South Carolina Comprehensive tourism marketing program promoting South Carolina as a preferred vacation destination through the DiscoverSouthCarolina.com official tourism website, annual television/print/digital/out-of-home advertising via the 9Rooftops agency of record, and a monthly e-newsletter subscription service.
• Recreation Assistance and Grant Programs Assistance to South Carolina local communities for recreation development through federal LWCF grant administration, state grant programs for land acquisition, trail development, facility construction, and SCORP planning guidance that satisfies LWCF eligibility requirements.
• South Carolina Film Commission Services Promotion of South Carolina as a filming location with comprehensive production support including location matching from 9,000+ location library, permits, production incentives administration, crew resources, and training programs for film and television productions.
• Film Production Incentives Cash rebate program offering 30% supplier rebate on South Carolina purchases, 25% wage rebate for SC residents, 20% wage rebate for non-residents, sales tax exemptions for qualifying productions, plus investor tax credits (up to 20%, max $100,000 per taxpayer). Minimum $1,000,000 in-state spend required for main incentives.
• South Carolina Welcome Centers Nine visitor centers located at key state border entry points providing complimentary travel information, accommodation reservations, destination recommendations, and marketing support for tourism industry partners. Operating 361 days per year, 9am-5pm.
• Tourism Partner Portal and Listings Self-service partner portal (partner.scprt.com) enabling tourism partners to register and manage free accommodation, event, and festival listings on DiscoverSouthCarolina.com. Listings reviewed by SCPRT data editors before publication.
• Front Porch Program Statewide partnership program for local visitor centers and Destination Marketing Organizations established to enhance communication with SCPRT and leverage the Discover South Carolina brand. Includes one-time $75 application fee, bulk maps, Discover guides, training, and South Carolina Certified Visitor Center certification.
• Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel Annual industry conference providing educational sessions on emerging consumer trends and tourism marketing strategy for South Carolina tourism professionals, with networking opportunities and the Governor's Cup awards recognizing tourism excellence. Registration tiers: Early Bird $450, Full $475, Spouse $250, One-day $275.
• International Sales and Marketing International tourism marketing targeting Germany, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Ireland, Canada (primary markets) and Italy, France, China, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg (secondary markets) through partnerships with Travel South USA and Brand USA.
• Discover Carolina Education Program Educational program bringing over 25,000 school children annually to South Carolina state parks and the State House for curriculum-based science and history programs.
• Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Planning document identifying outdoor recreation issues of statewide significance and evaluating supply and demand for outdoor recreation resources. Completion satisfies federal LWCF program eligibility requirements for South Carolina.
• Film Production Grants SC Film Production Fund providing INDIE GRANTS (approximately $35,000 per short film project in partnership with Trident Technical College) and GET ON SET grant program (partnership with University of South Carolina) for low-budget feature films. Grants limited to narrative films only.
• Tourist Oriented Directional Signage (TODS) Program administered jointly with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and SCDOT allowing qualifying tourism-oriented facilities to have directional signage placed in highway right-of-way in rural areas.
• H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area State park opened in 2006 offering 20 miles of equestrian trails and 7,000 acres of longleaf pine forests, representing the newest addition to the South Carolina State Park system.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tourism generates $31 billion for South Carolina economy and supports 1 in 10 jobs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Travel South USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional marketing organization partnership for international sales and marketing efforts. Leverages relationships to strengthen South Carolina's presence in international markets including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Ireland, Canada, and secondary markets.
• Brand USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational tourism promotion program partnership for international marketing and visitor attraction efforts.
• Level AccesscoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital accessibility partnership to ensure SCPRT's websites and online services comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. Leverages Level Access's 25 years of experience and digital accessibility platform.
• Beautiful Places AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit foundation established for protection and continuity of South Carolina state parks. Provides funding for enhanced park programs, sustainable environmental initiatives, and preservation of natural and cultural assets.
• South Carolina Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint administration of the Tourist Oriented Directional Signage (TODS) Program allowing tourism-oriented facilities to have directional signage in highway right of way.
• South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversight and maintenance of TODS (Tourist Oriented Directional Signage) program signs in highway right of way. Administered through South Carolina Logos Inc.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership in park development and planning. NPS began purchasing abused land for restoration, provided training in resource management, landscape architecture, forestry, and recreation planning.
• Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership from 1933-1942 that developed early South Carolina state parks using local materials. Built lasting structures at Oconee, Paris Mountain, Table Rock, Kings Mountain, and other parks.
• US Forest ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperated in development of early state parks and natural areas including Aiken, Lee, Oconee, Paris Mountain, Barnwell, and Sesquicentennial. Provided expertise in erosion control and reforestation.
• Reel-ScoutcoreTechnology or IntegrationLocation scouting database platform for film productions. Provides searchable library of 9,000+ South Carolina locations with digital images for production companies.
• South Carolina Film Commission Location LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationDatabase of 10,000+ locations provided to help local businesspeople and property owners attract filming opportunities with local, national, and international filmmakers.
• Trident Technical College (INDIE GRANTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Trident Technical College to provide INDIE GRANTS program offering approximately $35,000 per short film project for narrative films.
• University of South Carolina (GET ON SET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with USC for GET ON SET grant program producing low-budget feature films. Production support including Trident Technical College film equipment and other resources.
• H.E.R. Production AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm and television training program for girls ages 13-19 in the art of filmmaking. New Film Academy forming in South Carolina Midlands region.
• University of South Carolina Moving Image Research CollectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchive of over 6,000 hours of archival footage available for film, TV, and advertising productions.
• South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation formed in 1994 with PRT staff involvement to promote nature-based tourism as an economic force, especially in rural areas.
• South Carolina Heritage CorridorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots initiative linking 14 counties from Charleston to Aiken to Oconee. Many state parks are major resources for heritage tourism corridor development.
• Cypress Gardens (Berkeley County)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured filming location for productions including 'The Patriot,' 'Cold Mountain,' 'The Tempest,' 'Swamp Thing,' 'The Haunted Mansion,' 'The Yearling,' and 'The Notebook.'
• National Audubon Society's Francis Biedler ForestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour Holes Swamp and Audubon forest featured as filming locations and nature-based tourism destinations.
• IATSE Local 491coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional below-the-line technicians union representing crew in Carolinas and Savannah, GA. Negotiates collective bargaining agreements for local technicians.
• Teamsters Local 509coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion representing all Teamsters in South Carolina for film industry logistics and transportation.
• SAG-AFTRA (Atlanta Local)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScreen Actors Guild representing performers in South Carolina's designated South Region. Located in Atlanta with jurisdiction over SC productions.
• Producers Guild of America Green Production GuideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSC Film Commission encourages green South Carolina vendors to register for PGA's interactive sustainability resource database.
• United States Travel AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFront Porch Program members have opportunity to take US Travel Association South Carolina Travel Counselor Certification Test.
• South Carolina State Parks Friends GroupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit support organizations formed with park management to provide volunteer staffing, fundraising, special projects, and community support. Must have 501(c)(3) status and open membership.
• Volunteers in Parks (Act 554)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-authorized volunteer program (1978) providing mutually beneficial assistance. Volunteers serve as maintenance workers, clerical aides, living history program aides, campground hosts, and more.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Brand USA: National destination marketing organization that partners with SCPRT to drive international inbound tourism; not a competitor but a peer ecosystem organization.
• Travel South USA: Regional tourism marketing cooperative representing Southern US state tourism offices; SCPRT participates as a member and is a peer among co-marketers in international markets.

Direct peers

• VISIT FLORIDA: Florida's state tourism marketing corporation; operates a comparable destination marketing mandate with a focus on partner listings, cooperative advertising, and international visitor acquisition.
• Virginia Tourism Corporation: Commonwealth of Virginia's state tourism marketing authority; comparable mandate to promote in-state travel with cooperative advertising programs and partner listings.
• North Carolina Film Office: Neighboring state's film commission directly competing with the SC Film Commission for productions; offers its own rebate program and maintains a comparable location library.
• Visit North Carolina: North Carolina's state tourism authority, also operating state parks and a film office — a near-identical multi-function mandate serving a neighboring Southeast state with comparable scale and visitor mix.
• Tennessee Department of Tourist Development: Tennessee's state tourism department, similarly tasked with marketing statewide travel and supporting tourism partners — directly comparable in scope and structure.
• Louisiana Office of Tourism / Louisiana Entertainment: State tourism and film office renowned for its film incentive program, directly competing with SCPRT for production spending and offering similar visitor marketing services.
• Georgia Department of Economic Development – Tourism & Film Division: State agency combining tourism promotion with one of the country's most aggressive film incentive programs. Most direct comparable to SCPRT's integrated tourism + film commission structure in the same Southeast region.

Broad incumbents

• Visit California: California's larger statewide tourism marketing organization with a broader destination portfolio but similar tourism promotion, partner portal, and international marketing functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scprt

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SCPRT