The Municipal Association of South Carolina has awarded Hometown Economic Development Grants to 10 cities and towns. The $20,000 – 25,000 grants are intended to support 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 this grant 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 Anderson – "Shock This Block"
"Shock This Block" is an initiative to use creative placemaking strategies to create a unified, site-specific development plan for downtown Anderson.
City of Belton – "Belton and Beyond"
"Belton and Beyond" is a partnership between the city and the Belton Alliance that will develop an exercise area and trailhead near the downtown. This will provide a free, family-friendly environment for residents of all ages to gather together and get healthy. The trailhead will be the entry point to a walking trail connecting the downtown to the Belton Recreation Hub and Leda Poore Sports Complex.
Town of Estill – Demolition of Blighted Buildings
The Town of Estill will leverage its grant funds with a Community Development Block Grant to demolish 26 vacant, dilapidated housing structures and the 21,000-square-foot former Best Manufacturing building. (See page 6 for more about anti-blight efforts.)
Town of Johnston – "Revitalizing the Peach Capital"
The Town of Johnston will use its grant to fund the redevelopment of the former police station as a focal point for visitors and residents and revitalize landscaping downtown.
City of Lancaster – Downtown Farmers Market and Open Air Pavilion
The City of Lancaster will pay for professional services related to developing and producing design plans for a multipurpose downtown farmers market and open-air pavilion.
City of Landrum – Historical and Railroad Museum Additions
The City of Landrum intends to acquire and develop an unused passenger rail car into a railroad and historical museum that will sit next to the restored historic Landrum Depot.
Town of McClellanville – Securing the Future of McClellanville's Working Waterfront
Through partnerships that include the Town of McClellanville, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, the East Cooper Land Trust and Carolina Common Enterprise, the town will develop a master plan to secure the future of the town's working waterfront and seafood industry.
City of Pickens – #TakeMeToPickens
Building on the success of its Doodle Trail, the City of Pickens will create the Doodle Park Mural and also expand the Turtles on the Town campaign, which promotes Pickens and its small businesses.
City of Spartanburg – African-American Business Development Initiative
In collaboration with several partners, the City of Spartanburg will implement a business development initiative that will specifically promote the development and support of African-American-owned businesses and businesses seeking to locate within African-American neighborhoods.
City of West Columbia – Interactive City Park
In partnership with EngenuitySC, the City of West Columbia will use grant funds to develop infrastructure within its Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible interactive park to allow it to host music performances, art displays, life-size checkers and chess boards, and other attractions to support local artists.