13 Cities to Receive Grants
The Municipal Association of South Carolina has awarded Hometown Economic Development Grants to 13 cities and towns. Up to $25,000 each, the grants are intended to support those economic development projects that will make a positive impact on a municipality's quality of life. The grant program also promotes and recognizes innovation in economic development practices.
The Municipal Association board of directors created the program to fund projects that will produce measurable results, can be maintained over time and illustrate best practices that can be replicated in other cities.
City of Bamberg – Caboose in the Middle
In recognition of the area's status as home to the first rail line in South Carolina, the city and county will partner to place a historic caboose next to the county courthouse campus which will celebrate the Hamberg-Charleston line and attract visitors of all ages.
Town of Batesburg-Leesville – Batesburg-Leesville Master Plan
The town will use its grant funds to create a master plan which will include a strategic vision for its two historic business districts, two town parks and the conversion of a historic auditorium into a performing arts theater.
Town of Blacksburg – Lime Street Trail Head and Park
The town's project will be the first step in a countywide trail project to connect the Cowpens National Battlefield with King's Mountain National Military Park. The town will use grant funds for architectural and engineering services related to the park's development.
Town of Brunson – Brunson Streetscape
Continuing with its previous efforts through other grant projects, the town will use its grant funds for a variety of activities to improve its central business district including facade upgrades, parking improvements, decorative lighting and landscaping.
City of Central – Facade Grant Improvement Program
Capitalizing on its ongoing downtown improvement efforts, the city will leverage grant funds with local dollars to expand its Facade Grant Improvement Program.
City of Conway – Riverfront Amphitheater Feasibility Study
The city will conduct a feasibility study for a proposed amphitheater along the downtown riverwalk. The proposed amphitheater would be home to the existing Theatre of the Republic and allow it to hold outdoor performances, which will attract residents and visitors to the downtown.
Town of Gifford – Gifford Rosenwald School
Using grant funds as leverage with a Community Development Block Grant, the town will stabilize and renovate its historic Rosenwald School for use as a technology and vocational education facility.
City of Laurens – Small Business Learning Lab
The Small Business Learning Lab will be a small business development center for the City of Laurens and a resource center for entrepreneurs. Grant funds will be used to engage design professionals to develop the Learning Lab in a historic downtown building that will focus on the design elements needed to make the lab suitable for attracting entrepreneurs.
Town of Lowrys – Giving in a Small Town
Through many gifts it has received over the years, the Town of Lowrys provides rural living to its residents through open space and unique events. With the use of grant funds, the town will establish a permanent town hall by renovating a historic building as a gift to its residents.
Town of Moncks Corner – Miracle League Field
The town will match 100 percent of grant funds and use private in-kind services to pay for design costs of its $1.2 million Miracle League Field at its Regional Recreation Complex.
City of Orangeburg – Open Air Market and Pavilion
Partnering with the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association, Orangeburg County and the state, the city will use grant funds to design an open air market and pavilion to host the city's weekly farmers market and provide an anchor for center city events.
Town of Richburg – Renovation and Maintenance of 107 and 109 Broad Street
Threatened with losing its post office, the town will use grant funds to stabilize and renovate 107 and 109 Broad Street. The building is a key asset in the town that houses the post office, a community food pantry and a proposed railroad museum.
Town of Saluda – Saluda Theater
Built in the Art Deco style in 1936, the recently-restored Saluda Theater will be brought back to life with grant funds which will provide modern audio, video and lighting equipment, and allow the town and the Saluda Historical Society to once again attract residents and visitors for movies, plays and concerts.