The Town of West Pelzer has received a Municipal Achievement Award for its rural renewal project. The city won in the 1 – 1,000 population category. Twenty-six cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives for consideration in the annual awards.
The Town of West Pelzer aimed to reverse the decline of its downtown Frankville Business District and transform it into a vibrant commercial space that could serve its growing population. Through an intensive research and development process, it created a new Rural Renewal Master Plan that seeks to reinvigorate commerce, reinvent existing spaces and encourage intentional growth.
Using consultants, the town embarked on a wide-ranging, inclusive project to draft the plan. More than 30% of the town’s residents gave their input, explaining their desire to embrace the rural character of their community and its history while still created vibrant places for people to gather and do business, and to promote safety, walkability and connectivity. The town conducted virtual steering committee meetings and workshops to allow the widest possible participation among residents and business owners.
Staff from the town and collaborating staff from Anderson County collectively spent 250 hours developing the plan. West Pelzer funded the project by using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
As the town implements the plan’s recommendations, it has obtained more than $75,000 in grant funds for action items like the expansion of Chapman Park and the creation of a free coworking space for residence. The plan will guide the town’s use of its allocated American Rescue Plan funds, including such projects as passive parks, new downtown public spaces, landscaping and on-street parking. Already, a downtown that was once completely empty of active businesses has achieved a 95% business occupancy rate.
“Officials in West Pelzer saw the value of a vibrant downtown and set out to resurrect a place for which residents and businesses could be proud,” said Todd Glover, executive director for the Municipal Association.
These winning entries represent innovative projects undertaken by Municipal Association member cities and towns. Information and a video about the project are available on the Association’s website www.masc.sc (keyword: Achievement Awards).
The Municipal Association of SC initiated the Achievement Awards in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovations and excellence in local government.
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