Cities in South Carolina began the 1950s recovering from the long war effort. The Municipal Association was proving its value by advocating successfully for legislation to allow municipalities to share in the motor transport fee and a larger share of the beer, wine and liquor tax. Mayor Morrison of Charleston challenged local leaders to recognize that industry was looking at the South and "we must grab this pace of industry by the forelock!" Other issues were modernizing annexation laws, encouraging regional planning, obtaining social security and state retirement for municipal employees, and passing planning enabling legislation.
With 100 percent of the 235 cities and towns as members, the Municipal Association was one of the few statewide associations with a full-time staff including an executive director, assistant director, legislative counsel and three clerks. The Association began publishing its first news magazine, "South Carolina City" and also offered services such as collecting delinquent taxes from insurance companies and offering municipal employees group life insurance. Delegates from South Carolina were active in the American Municipal Association (the predecessor to the National League of Cities) and the US Conference of Mayors.
The Municipal Association celebrates 70 years as a full-service association this year with a look back at highlights of each decade.