SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — News 19 Street Squad visited Mayesville where people say they hope to see the area grow.
We met with the town's mayor Jereleen Hollimon-Miller to see how she's working to bring positive change.
They're already breaking ground on downtown apartments, according to Hollimon-Miller, and she's hoping the opening of the Mary McLeod Bethune Learning Center will help make the town more attractive.
A Mayesville native, Bethune became one of the most prominent black educators and civil rights leaders of her time.
She founded Bethune-Cookman College, now Bethune-Cookman University, and worked as an adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt giving African Americans a voice in government.
"What we're trying to do is make the town a tourist town for folks all over to learn her story," Hollimon-Miller said.
Each year a festival is held in Mayesville attracting hundreds to the area in Bethune's honor.
Hollimon-Miller hopes people can connect with Bethune's story and feel encouraged that they too can grow up in Mayesville and become someone special.
"The children... hopefully they can see a rebirth of the town," Hollimon-Miller said, "If you got faith, anything is possible."
She's worked to bring a nature trail and gazebo to Mayesville, and also establish new town ordinances.
Under her leadership, they've also received grant money for a Mayesville-Sumter sewer line and upgrades for area water pipes.
"Know that all is not lost," Hollimon-Miller said. "God controls everything and this is his, so I would love for the people to come and see this beautiful town."
News 19's Street Squad discovered this story while talking to people in Sumter County.
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