City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Greenville won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its weekly videos explaining its projects in an easy-to-understand and engaging way. Director of Communications and Neighborhood Relations Beth Brotherton explains how her department develops and produces the videos, and the impact they have had in the community. See the video at vimeo.com/575512259.

Hanahan won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association after its fire department fought the spread of COVID-19 with virus testing throughout the community and around the state. Mayor Christie Rainwater explains the emergency planning efforts beyond the effort and how the city managed numerous funding sources. See the video at vimeo.com/575512059.

MCAA 101 provides municipal court administrators, clerks of court and other court staff with the skills critical to running and administering the duties of a municipal court, and will have another session October 26 – 27. The course’s designers, Greenville’s Pam Larson and Greer’s Kirsten Pressley, explain how they developed the material and what clerks of court can gain from it.

The City of Laurens won the 2021 Excellence on Main Street Award for its Back Street Park development, a pocket park that took the place of a dilapidated building and pays tribute to the area's rich history. Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn and Main Street Laurens Executive Director Jonathan Irick explain how the project evolved, and its impact on downtown Laurens. See the video at vimeo.com/580855979.

Hartsville won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its professional development project among the young people who work at Neptune Island Waterpark. Karen Caulder, chief financial officer for Hartsville, explains the impact that the effort has had for the employees and the community. See the video at vimeo.com/575511434.

The Local Business License Renewal Center, which cities and towns must use in 2022 to comply with Act 176, is intended as one way to make the license process easier for businesses. Caitlin Cothran and Fran Adcock of the Municipal Association’s Local Revenue Services explain how it works and how to set up accounts. More information: https://www.masc.sc/programs/local-revenue-services/local-business-license-renewal-center

Bluffton won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its development of the waterfront Wright Family Park. Mayor Lisa Sulka discusses the property’s history, the partnership that made the park possible, and what’s next for the project. See the video at https://vimeo.com/575512450.

Todd Glover, Erica Wright, Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the latest news regarding the American Rescue Plan and the Association's request for the state to draw down the funds.

Newberry won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its project to bring a fiber-optic network to residents and businesses. Assistant Utility Director David Eldridge discusses how Newberry made this effort work and what it means for internet service going forward. See the video at https://vimeo.com/575511899.

The Investing in America’s Communities program of the ARP involves $3 billion in funding opportunities. Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Erica Wright talks to Robin Cooley, economic development representative for the Atlanta Region of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, to learn more. https://eda.gov/arpa/fact-sheet/

Frank Rainwater, executive director of the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, discusses the impacts of the pandemic on the state’s economy and governmental revenue, as well as the redistricting process following the 2020 Census.

Jim Stritzinger, broadband coordinator for the SC Office of Regulatory Staff, discusses the state’s plan to expand broadband to underserved areas. Newberry Utility Director Tim Baker and Assistant Utility Director David Eldridge talk about Newberry’s work to ensure the availability of affordable high-speed internet services to its residents and businesses.

Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities; and Erica Wright, one of the Municipal Association of SC’s legislative and public policy advocates; discuss the specifics of the American Rescue Plan and allowable uses of its funds for cities and towns. Municipal Association of SC Executive Director Todd Glover moderates.

Municipal Association Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton reviews action during the General Assembly’s 2021 legislative session. The Association’s Deputy Executive Director Eric Budds discusses municipalities’ business license standardization efforts in 2021 to achieve compliance with the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act.

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor and Bluffton Public Information Officer Debbie Szpanka talk about planning for effective communication before a crisis and other communication considerations for building trust and protecting residents. Ryan Johnson of North Charleston moderates.

Meghan Walker, executive director of the SC State Ethics Commission, talks about ethics law compliance for elected officials.

Dr. Dave Ivan, a Michigan State University researcher who studies community change, discusses using the concept of hope when developing a vision for positive community change.

The Municipal Association’s field services managers, Charlie Barrineau and Jeff Shacker, discuss some of the most common questions they receive about the SC Freedom of Information Act.

Jim Stritzinger, broadband coordinator for the SC Office of Regulatory Staff; Irene Dumas Tyson, a master planner and community designer with the Boudreaux Group; and Jen Bonnett, vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship for the Savannah Economic Development Authority; talk about how communities can draw in remote employees as residents.

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover discusses the Association’s support for the COVID-19 operations of cities and towns, the Association’s advocacy outreach, the new retail recruitment training program and the new joint purchasing program.