2021 Hometown Economic Development Grant Recipients Announced

The Municipal Association of South Carolina has awarded Hometown Economic Development Grants to 12 cities and towns. Available in amounts of up to $25,000 each, the grants support those economic development projects that will have positive effects on a municipality’s quality of life. The program also promotes and recognizes innovation in economic development practices. 

The Municipal Association board of directors created the program to fund projects that will produce measurable results, can be maintained over time and illustrate innovative and sustainable 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 size of the municipality. 

Here are the winners of the 2021 grant cycle: 

Beaufort will repurpose a former school facility into the downtown headquarters for the South Coast Cyber Center, a world-class facility dedicated to cybersecurity, cyber defense education and innovation. 

Cayce will infuse more public art in the Cayce River Arts District through everyday objects to continue the area’s redevelopment and growth.

Grant funds will help fully restore, renovate and optimize the building and parcel of the Donalds Grange No. 497, a historic property that is a part of the South Carolina Heritage Corridor and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In partnership with multiple organizations, Georgetown will redevelop the empty downtown site of the former city hall into a multipurpose facility to host farmers markets, food trucks, holiday markets and a variety of other attractions.

The town will use grant funds as part of a Community Development Block Grant match to fund streetscape upgrades to the Greeleyville Town Centre. 

Honea Path will assist business owners ready to make positive changes to their facades in an effort to continue downtown revitalization efforts.

Building on the planning work it has pursued in recent years, Moncks Corner will use grant funds for construction of its Miracle League Field.

The Pacolet Amphitheater grounds and infrastructure will be rehabilitated and upgraded to ensure its continued use as a traditional gathering place for town residents and community events.

Grant funds will restore Pelion’s former train warehouse into a museum and event space that will host meetings.

Helping visitors find their way to local attractions and businesses will become easier with Seabrook Island’s grant-funded project to install gateway and wayfinding signage.

In preparation for its bicentennial in 2022, Society Hill will conduct rehabilitation and preservation work on one of the oldest surviving public lending libraries in the state.

Westminster will enhance its Commercial Building Improvement Grant Program in an effort to include more downtown buildings in the city’s revitalization.