Downtown Sumter received the Main Street South Carolina Outstanding Award. Main Street South Carolina is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina.
The award recognizes a public/private partnership that leads to successful achievements for both and clearly demonstrates a cooperative spirit and long-term commitment to the partnership.
After the success of its Butterfly Project featuring street sculptures, Downtown Sumter wanted to expand the district’s public art offerings. Sumter County’s cultural director partnered with the downtown development organization to secure a grant from the Central Carolina Community Foundation. Together, the groups pursued commissions for three murals in the area.
One of the murals, just off Main Street, features an underwater scene from Sumter’s Swan Lake, showing the swans diving for food, while another alleyway mural celebrates Sumter iconography like the gamecock and iris. A postcard-style mural at the Sumter County Museum depicts local landmarks and historical figures.
The project matched the $45,000 grant from CCCF with donations from the Bank of Clarendon, Main Street Society, Sumter County Museum, Sumter Economic Development and Sumter County Cultural Commission. Downtown Sumter plans to expand the district’s public art projects further in the future.
“Downtown Sumter’s ability to reach out and partner with public and private organizations will continue to benefit the city and its residents,” said Jenny Boulware, Main Street SC manager.
Main Street South Carolina empowers residents, business owners and local officials with the knowledge, skills, tools and organizational structure necessary to revitalize their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts into vibrant centers of commerce and community.
Main Street South Carolina follows the National Main Street’s Four Point Approach — economic vitality, design, promotion and organization. Each year, Main Street South Carolina recognizes members’ achievements and successes in downtown revitalization. For more information about Main Street South Carolina, visit the Municipal Association’s website at www.masc.sc (keyword: Main Street).
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