Topics:
In this episode of Mighty Municipalities, hosts Karl McCollester and Mark Partin discuss the rapid population growth in South Carolina and its implications for small municipalities in the state. They explore the challenges of managing this growth, including infrastructure demands and legislative responses.

• Resource and Resiliency Commission: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4692.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Concurrency Bill: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/227.htm

The conversation then turns to our discussion of new ideas from other municipalities for improvement:

Enhancing Your Local Assets:
Mark & Karl discuss Woodfin's unique use of it's natural asset and how focusing on your communities natural assets can help improve your community

• Woodfin, NC (pop. ~8,000) is installing a whitewater wave as part of it's local riverfront park project. It's unique in that it provides a feature without a large maintenance cost.

Building Redevelopment:
We then discuss how preservation and conversion of historic buildings can help maintain and revitalize central business districts. We cover four ways buildings can be reused:

• Education: Sumter, SC (pop ~43,000) repurposed an old grocery, auto parts store, and post office into part of the local community college. https://www.santeelynchescog.org/sites/default/files/uploads/services/cctchealthsciencesbackgrounder.pdf
• Business: Manning, SC (pop ~4,000) partnered with IT Call Center Provalus to refurbish a former department store: https://www.provalus.com/news/provalus-celebrates-opening-of-technology-innovation-center-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-in-manning-south-carolina
• Hospitality: Fountain Inn SC (pop ~14,000) converted a small mill into an event and restaurant space, and Pittsboro, NC (pop ~4,900) reonvated their old 1950's post office into a restaurant (and now cafe): https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article312412665.html
• Housing: Bessemer City, NC (pop ~5,500) converted their old textile mill into apartment housing by stacking multiple grants: https://bessemercity.com/osage-mill-ribbon-cutting/

We wrap up the discussion talking about the importance of working to secure historic properties and their maintenance shortly after closing to save on long-term restoration costs.

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov). Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George. He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and websites.

Summary

In the inaugural episode of "Mighty Municipalities," hosts Karl McCollester and Mark Partin delve into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small municipalities. They emphasize the importance of celebrating the innovative solutions that smaller communities implement, often overlooked in favor of larger cities. The conversation highlights the significance of public-private partnerships, particularly in the context of waste management and child care services, showcasing how municipalities can creatively leverage existing resources to address pressing community needs.

Today's Topics:

• Bedford MA - composting program
  • https://www.bedfordma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=618&ARC=1053
• Pittsfield IL - child care business incentive
  • https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/pittsfield-expands-incentive-program-hopes-bring-21032634.php
  • https://www.pittsfieldil.org/live-feed?page_no=11
  • https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/1c5f2795-8565-4467-bf83-4009c5495bc3/Agenda_09-02-2025.pdf?disposition=inline