The Municipal Association of South Carolina has awarded Hometown Economic Development Grants, powered by VC3, to 12 cities and towns for the 2024 grant cycle.
Available in amounts of up to $25,000 each, the grants fund economic development projects that will have positive effects on a municipality’s quality of life, can be maintained over time and illustrate innovative practices that can be replicated in other cities. The grants have matching requirements of either funds or in-kind contributions ranging from 5% to 15%, depending on the municipality’s population.
Here are the recipients in the 2024 cycle:
City of Belton – Pickleball Public Restroom Conversion
Looking to take advantage of the explosive growth of pickleball’s popularity, the City of Belton plans to renovate an old softball field adjacent to its downtown into a pickleball facility with six courts. The city will spend grant funds renovating an existing concession stand into an accessible restroom facility, along with adding shaded benches for players and spectators.
City of Fountain Inn – Trade Street Plaza
Trade Street, a small alley connecting Fountain Inn’s Main Street to its Commerce Park, is a public space ripe for a vibrant renovation. The city plans to utilize grant funding to install new lighting, outdoor seating and a colorful outdoor art gallery to entice pedestrians visiting the adjoining restaurants and retail stores to spend more time downtown.
Town of Greeleyville – Town Centre Pocket Park Revitalization
Downtown Greeleyville is in the midst of a transformation. After completing a Community Development Block Grant project for significant streetscape improvements in 2024, the town turned its sights to renovating a pocket park it owns downtown. It will combine new grant funds with funding already received from the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the SC Department of Commerce, Duke Energy and the Williamsburg Hometown Chamber to install state-of-the-art passive and active recreation equipment, a new play surface and a picnic shelter to drive activity and traffic downtown.
City of Greenwood – Conversion of Dilapidated Retail Space Into Destination Center
Uptown Greenwood, which serves as Greenwood’s Main Street America program, needs a new home, and the city has just the place. It will use grant funding to renovate an existing storefront to create a permanent home and “destination center” for Uptown Greenwood and Discover Greenwood. The space will provide hospitality training for local businesses, serve as the headquarters for local tours, and create a space for local family events.
City of Hanahan – Town Center Storefront Revitalization Fund
Hanahan is determined to become a catalyst for commercial investment in its downtown. To enhance the economic vitality of its commercial core, Hanahan will use grant money to fund a Town Center Storefront Revitalization Fund, whereby local businesses can apply for facade grants to improve the exterior of their buildings. The program will require a 50% match from the local business, promoting buy-in from the city’s business community.
Town of Honea Path – Facade Flair: Enhancing Storefronts, Revitalizing Downtown Charm
After slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown Honea Path is starting to take off again. To speed up the ongoing revitalization, the town is partnering with Empower Honea Path, a local nonprofit, on a facade grant program aimed at small changes across a wide range of properties. Focusing on “mini grants” of $800 to $2500, the project will use an architect trained in community design to create a cohesive, charming look for the future of downtown Honea Path.
Town of Johnston – The Johnston Arts and Cultural Center
Last year, Johnston renovated a warehouse to house the popular Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society to generate activity and visits downtown. To multiply the effects of that investment, the town will use grant funds to renovate an identical downtown warehouse to house an Arts and Cultural Center. The Center will include space for local artists and meeting space for local groups and town events.
Town of Kershaw – “Little” Library’s BIG Impact
Kershaw’s first library, known as the “Little Library,” is owned by the town and leased to the Chamber of Commerce. The town will combine grant funding with funding from the Chamber and the SC Energy Office to renovate the interior and exterior of the building, allowing volunteers to welcome visitors to the town, share information about the town’s history and host events.
Town of Lexington – Finding Lexington’s Identity
Lexington has grown from what was once a bedroom community into a thriving employment and entertainment destination. Now a municipality with cultural and generational diversity, Lexington will use grant funds to engage a branding consultant, host community meetings and help shape the town’s new identity. The new brand will reflect Lexington’s vibrant reputation and community values.
City of North Augusta – Follow the Signs: Explore North Augusta’s Vibrant Downtown
North Augusta already has a thriving downtown, but connecting it to parks, historic sites and recreation facilities has been a challenge. This project will create and install a network of well-designed, strategically placed wayfinding signs that will direct visitors to all that the city has to offer. The city will use the grant funds to enhance the visitor experience, increase foot traffic to local businesses and restaurants, and further cement North Augusta’s identity as a place with a bustling downtown.
Town of Olanta – Olanta Emporium: A Multi-purpose Community Market
Olanta wants residents to be able to stay in town to shop for items like clothing, fresh produce and gifts. To stop retail leakage, the town will use grant funding to renovate a 1,200-square-foot building downtown to host tenants in a multipurpose market, The Olanta Emporium. After listening to resident feedback, the town plans to target a coffee shop, a nail salon and a produce market to fill the first round of available retail space.
City of West Columbia – West Columbia Overlay Plan Development
U.S. Highway 1 and Botanical Parkway are two of West Columbia’s most important economic development corridors. To enhance them, the city will use grant money to hire a planning firm to develop comprehensive overlay district guidelines, ensuring that future development along the corridors meets the expectations of the city and its stakeholders. The city will utilize the overlay districts to ensure sustainable future development with community engagement and buy-in.