COLUMBIA, S.C. – Main Street South Carolina, a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, announced the launch of Project Hometown SC, a two-year initiative to strengthen community identity, support local workforce stability, and improve long-term population retention in three rural communities: Cheraw, Hartsville, and Walterboro.
The project is supported by a $305,000 State Economic and Infrastructure Development award from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, along with matching commitments from the participating municipalities. The South Carolina Office of Rural Health will serve as a core partner in advancing resident support systems and community stability strategies.
“South Carolina’s small towns thrive when residents feel connected, supported, and rooted in their hometowns,” said Jenny Boulware, manager of Main Street South Carolina at the Municipal Association. “Project Hometown SC invests in local identity, local leadership, and local talent. We are grateful to SCRC for recognizing the promise of this effort.”
Project Hometown SC builds on existing community strengths through these components:
- Local storytelling capacity and workforce development
- Hometown ambassador network
- Community celebrations and engagement events
- Resident stability and support systems
“Project Hometown reflects exactly what South Carolina rural communities deserve—an investment in their strengths, their people, and their future. For more than 30 years, the South Carolina Office of Rural Health has supported rural community programming, and we’re grateful to have strong partners for this innovative endeavor. By bringing together long-time rural partners and emerging rural organizations and elevating local leadership, this initiative helps ensure every hometown has the opportunity to thrive,” said Dr. Graham Adams, CEO of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health.
At the conclusion of the pilot, a Community Stability Toolkit will be published, providing templates, training materials and best practices for rural communities across the state.
For more information about Project Hometown SC or the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Main Street SC program, contact Jenny Boulware at jboulware@masc.sc.