Putting Their Best Face Forward: The City of Bennettsville’s MASC Home Economic Development Project

The municipal development team at the City of Bennettsville are very good listeners. They have become experts at taking what they hear from citizens and using what they learn as the basis for improvement initiatives. That’s how their downtown façade project began and the reason why they applied for the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Hometown Economic Development Grant (MASC HEDG).

MASC created these grants to help municipalities in the state fund programs that improve the quality of life in their communities. VC3 has been working with the association since 1999 as their technology partner and provides funding for the grant.

VC3 is a familiar name to members. They offer cybersecurity and IT services through MASC that enable municipalities to use technology to serve their residents through secure, efficient operations. VC3’s investment in South Carolina communities through HEDG is an extension of their mission to “serve those who serve.”

There are many examples of how grant awardees have improved the quality of life in their communities. We’re featuring the experience of one community – the City of Bennettsville – to showcase the tangible results of the use of grant funds and provide a model for other municipalities facing similar challenges.

Bennettsville, a small city in northeastern South Carolina, is known for its historic buildings, homes, and charming town square. However, much of that charm had faded as many buildings fell into disrepair. The poor condition of the building exteriors was a concern raised by the community to city leadership, who developed a plan to stimulate improvements by helping business owners pay for costly repairs.

“When people are driving through town, we want to make sure that they see a welcoming and inviting city so that they’ll pull over, stop, and explore,” said Brittany Jones, Business Development and Community Engagement Director for the City. "So, it was a big push for us to apply for the grant so we could put our best face forward,”

Their plan aligned with the criteria needed to apply for one of the 12 Hometown Economic Development Grants that MASC awards each year. They applied, and in 2022, the City was awarded the maximum available amount of $25,000 which they distributed to five different businesses in the amount of $5,000 each.

The process the City used to determine which of the many interested business owners would receive the funds had two main requirements. The first was that they needed to be located in the downtown area that is most visible to visitors. And second was the stipulation that the funds would be a reimbursement, meaning businesses had to complete their improvements and submit documentation to be reimbursed for the expenses afterward.

The projects that were made possible by the grant funds included everything from a simple replacement of awnings to a full exterior renovation. While each recipient was already committed to improving their properties, receiving the grant helped them to move forward faster. Not only that, but the completed projects have been a catalyst for more improvements.

Blue Cresent Arms - This former sports bar is now a hunting and fishing equipment store after a full exterior renovation. 

“We still have individuals inquiring about funding,” said Brittany. “We continue to look for ways that we as a city can continue to fund these types of improvements. We know nothing’s going to change overnight, but small incremental changes are like a spark within the community, and a catalyst for more improvement.”

Brittany’s advice to other municipal administrators who are considering applying for the MASC Home Economic Development Grant is to make sure that the project is founded on real community concerns. She knows from experience that the projects you do that are directly related to citizen engagement will be the biggest hits.

Any member of MASC can apply for a Hometown Economic Development grant. The City of Bennettsville’s downtown façade improvement project is one example of how these funds can be used. Grants can also support professional services like master planning and marketing, public infrastructure and signage projects, as well as city-led or partnered programs such as downtown revitalization and business assistance.

Learn more about MASC’s Hometown Economic Development Grants.

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