City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Gary and Apryl Bailey won Main Street South Carolina’s 2023 Excellence on Main Street Award for their revitalization of the Bailey Building in downtown Laurens. The Baileys, who operate their accounting firm out of the building as one of its uses, explain the rehabilitation work they sought for the historic bank building while preserving its character. They also discuss how they used tax credits to make the process economically practical. Main Street South Carolina Manager Jenny Boulware hosts this podcast out of the Bailey Building itself. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100311.

The City of Cayce won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its River Arts District development, a project that leveraged public art and special events into economic development opportunities and a stronger sense of community in Cayce’s historic downtown. City Manager Tracy Hegler discusses the logistics behind bringing the Arts District to life. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100187.

The Town of Bluffton won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its Neighborhood Assistance Program, a multifaceted initiative to help keep residents in their homes. Bluffton’s Director of Growth Management Kevin Icard and Workforce and Affordable Housing Manager Victoria Smalls talk about the program. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/848100122.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about Municipal Association outreach to cities and towns through the recent Regional Advocacy Meetings. They also discuss H3734, the municipal election bill, which would require all municipalities to have elections on certain dates during odd-numbered years.

In 2023, Downtown Florence won the prestigious Great American Main Street Award, the “Academy Award” of community development, recognizing exceptional and comprehensive downtown revitalization efforts. Main Street Program Director Hannah Davis discusses how Florence achieved the award through careful planning, data-gathering and storytelling, and what’s next for development in downtown Florence. See Florence’s GAMSA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsT_5jVGXk0 Read the Uptown article on Florence’s win: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/07-2023/building-next-block-downtown-florence-looks-forward-national-award

The City of Goose Creek won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for the communications plan it used for the new all-abilities playground at Central Creek Park. Goose Creek Marketing, Branding and Design Assistant Adam Kelly; Recreation Director Crystal Reed; and Therapeutic Recreation Manager and Central Creek Park Manager Hannah Miller all join the discussion. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100059.

The City of Simpsonville won the 2023 Joseph P. Riley Jr. Economic Development Achievement Award for the Simpsonville Arts Center, a project which redeveloped a historic school into a new facility to enhance both the arts scene and the economy of Simpsonville. City Administrator Dianna Gracely talks about the offerings and programming of the Arts Center, and the work that went into transforming a shuttered elementary school. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/848100092.

The Town of Chapin won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its trail of art installations that include creatively painted sailboat displays, and public art connections with the Town of Chapin Nature Park. Town Administrator Nicholle Burroughs discusses the purpose behind the projects, the community impact of public art, and the town’s plans for the future of its arts and culture scene. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100280.

The Town of Cheraw won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its network of cameras capable of reading license plate numbers automatically, expanding the ability of its police department to solve crimes and recover stolen property. Town Manager Rob Wolfe discusses how the system works and its positive impact in the community. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/848100152.

The Municipal Association of South Carolina, along with Main Street South Carolina, its downtown revitalization technical assistance program, created WeShopSC, a statewide e-commerce marketplace. Jenny Boulware and Jonathan Irick of Main Street South Carolina talk about what the service is, how it can benefit small businesses and how businesses can start using it. Learn more: https://weshopsc.com/

The Town of West Pelzer won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its Rural Renewal Master Plan, which has succeeded in reversing the decline of its downtown Frankville Business District and turning it into a vibrant commercial space. Mayor Blake Sanders explains how the town developed the plan and pursued its recommendations, creating full occupancy of downtown commercial space. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/848100219.

The Municipal Association of SC and the SC School Boards Association will partner to bring their members an all-day verbal de-escalation training in Columbia on October 19. Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover and SC School Boards Association Executive Director Scott Price talk with Harry Dolan, a retired police chief and head of the Dolan Consulting Group, who will lead the training. They talk about why civility-focused training for local elected officials and others is critical. Find more information and registration at https://www.masc.sc/bringing-civility-verbal-conflict-training.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton preview the Municipal Association of SC Regional Advocacy Meetings, which give municipal officials a time to share their thoughts on legislation and other ways the Association can serve cities and towns. They talk about what to expect, including discussion of legislation in the first half of the two-year session, as well as pending legislation on issues like short-term rentals.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk with two staff members of the SC Association of Counties: Owen McBride, assistant director of governmental affairs; and John Wienges, staff attorney. They discuss legislative issues that both the Municipal Association and Association of Counties have worked on together, such as regular updates to Local Government Fund funding in accordance with state general fund amounts. They also cover issues anticipated in the 2024 session, such as short-term rental regulation, and issues that the Association of Counties will address, including a lot cleanup bill, waste tire disposal bill and vehicle registration.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the legacy of the late state Sen. John Scott, the recent meeting of U.S. Rep. William Timmons with 4th congressional district municipal leaders, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief funding.

The Association’s field services managers travel the state to offer hands-on technical assistance and training to help all 271 municipalities address challenges. Naomi Reed, covering much of the Upstate, has joined Charlie Barrineau and Ashley Kellahan as part of the team. Hear from all three about the services they offer and the territories they cover. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/request-municipal-assistance

At the Municipal Association’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Greenville, Casey Fields and Scott Slatton interview state Sen. Ross Turner (R-Greenville). They discuss Turner’s career in the SC Senate and the changes in its makeup during his time, as well as how cities and towns can build relationships with their legislators. Turner spoke to the Association of South Carolina Mayors, and addressed hate crimes legislation currently in the General Assembly.

Association Executive Director Todd Glover discusses the importance of avoiding prohibitions on short-term rental regulation and the most recent expansions of the Main Street South Carolina program, including the WeShopSC e-commerce platform.

Outgoing Municipal Association President Rick Osbon, mayor of the City of Aiken, talks about the growth of the Association’s civility initiative and the Association’s Congressional outreach efforts. He also takes a look back on legislative victories of the past year.

Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy, newly elected president of the Municipal Association of SC, talks about municipal leadership, the Association’s civility initiative and its legislative successes in helping cities and towns provide valuable services for people and businesses.