Friday, September 2, 2022

Hometown Economic Development Grant Applications Due September 30

Applications are currently open for the Municipal Association’s Hometown Economic Development Grants, available to cities and towns for projects that make a positive impact on the quality of life in the communities, but the deadline of September 30 is fast approaching. 

Since the Association first offered the grants in 2016, it has awarded 68 grants to 55 cities and towns, ranging from small communities to several large cities. Direct grant awards have totaled $1.2 million in funding. The grants — along with all matching funds received by the cities and towns — add up to more than $1.7 million. 


Projects funded through the grants have been transformational in many ways, from master plan documents to parks, façade grant programs, farmers markets and other initiatives. The Town of Lowrys used its funds to establish its first-ever permanent town hall. 

The City of Walterboro used funding for engineering costs for its Walterboro Wildlife Center, which went on to win a Municipal Association Achievement Award in 2020. Orangeburg used its grant to design its open-air market and pavilion in its downtown, a project that won Main Street South Carolina’s Outstanding New Construction award in 2021.

Applying for a Hometown Economic Development Grant 

The 2022 HEDG cycle will award as many as 12 grants of up to $25,000 each. 

HEDG project proposals must make a positive, measurable and sustainable economic impact on a community. Some project types are excluded, as explained in the full eligibility rules on the application. 

Those interested should apply online by Friday, September 30 at 5 p.m. The application and grant awards have several key requirements: 
  • The city or town council must pass a resolution in support of the grant application. 
  • Cities and towns that receive a grant must provide matching funds. 
  • Grant recipients must also submit progress reports and provide financial details about how they spent grant funds. 
To keep HEDG equitable and effective, the program awards grants among several population categories, with most awards going to cities and towns with populations below 5,000 according to the 2020 census. The population size determines the amount of funding available for recipients. 

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