The Hometown Economic Development Grant of the Municipal Association of SC funds projects that will produce measurable results, that can be maintained over time and illustrate best practices that can be replicated in other cities. Beginning in July, cities and towns will have another opportunity to pursue funding through the HEDG program, as applications for the 2023 grant cycle will open on July 27, during the Association’s Annual Meeting.
Cities and towns are eligible to obtain a grant once every two years, and since the program’s inception in 2016, some municipalities have made successful HEDG applications more than once.
The City of Landrum is one example. In 2017, Landrum obtained HEDG funds to help with its project to relocate a historic rail car to Landrum and develop it into a museum.
Its most recent HEDG funding in 2022 allowed it to expand its new Farmers Market Pavilion — a facility that houses both a regular farmers market and also serves as an event space. The city wanted to pursue an adjacent property to help accommodate larger events with improved access, landscaping and lighting. Landrum applied for and received a second HEDG grant in 2022 for the expansion.
Application guidelines
The 2023 HEDG cycle will award as many as 12 grants of up to $25,000 each.
HEDG project proposals must make a positive, measurable and sustainable economic impact on a community. Some project types are excluded, as explained in the full eligibility rules on the application.
Those interested should apply online by Friday, September 29 at 5 p.m. The application and grant awards have several key requirements:
- The municipal council must pass a resolution in support of the grant application.
- Cities and towns that receive a grant must provide matching funds.
- Grant recipients must also submit progress reports and provide financial details about how they spent grant funds.
On July 27, officials can find the HEDG application and sample resolution online. For questions, contact Scott Slatton at sslatton@masc.sc.