For Immediate Release: August 8, 2009
CONTACT: Casey Fields
803.933.1256 (w) or 803.800.7225 (c) or cfields@masc.sc
Municipal Association of South Carolina honors Fort Mill with Achievement Award
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The Town of Fort Mill received a Municipal Achievement Award for its volunteer screening process. Town leaders were presented the award during the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s 69th Annual Meeting on August 8. The town won in the 5,001 – 10,000 population category. Thirty-eight cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives this year.
Fort Mill residents wanted to play a more active role in their community and local government, but many did not know how. Local officials listened to residents and created a process linking volunteers with town projects. Town leaders implemented a volunteer screening process to identify each person’s interests and abilities. Using a database of residents who wanted to serve and what they could do, employees matched volunteer interests with town needs.
One group addressed the pressing need for more arts in Fort Mill. They drew designs for a renovated town theater. Another committee designed and helped construct a veterans’ memorial park. Fort Mill’s downtown revitalization group directed volunteers to parts of town that needed beautifying.
For years, town officials envisioned a Fort Mill Hall of Fame to recognize significant contributors in the town’s history. Volunteers tackled that project as well. They developed bylaws and nomination guidelines for the program. Volunteers also created an annual festival, the Fort Mill Spring Fest. The event boasts all-day live music as well as food and crafts from local vendors. The local VFW and American Legion Posts, banks and medical centers all sponsored the new spring festival.
The volunteer committees have fostered a new-found community spirit in Fort Mill. The town has a pool of people and ideas to aid in current projects and residents have a renewed engagement in their hometown.
“Residents and local leaders working together for a better quality of life are making Fort Mill a stronger city and a great hometown. This is a great opportunity for residents to be involved,” said Miriam Hair, executive director for the Municipal Association.
These winning entries represent innovative projects undertaken by Municipal Association-member cities and towns. More information and a video about the project will be posted.
The Municipal Association of South Carolina initiated the Achievement Awards in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovations and excellence in local government.
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The Municipal Association of South Carolina is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit Association of incorporated cities and towns dedicated to raising the standards of municipal government through a broad range of services.