BISHOPVILLE, S.C. — The City of Bishopville is set to breathe new life into its downtown area by redeveloping a long-vacant building, thanks to $5 million in state funds secured for the project.
The dilapidated building, once a department store and a staple in the community, has been abandoned for years, with portions of the ceiling now collapsed. However, new efforts to transform the space are underway as the city partners with Central Carolina Technical College to develop it into a technical education center.
“I remember shopping in here as a kid,” said Rep. Will Wheeler, who played a key role in securing the funding alongside other local delegation members.
The city and the technical college have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop the property into a state-of-the-art educational facility.
“With growth and expansion, you’ve got to plan for it you've got to plan for it, you've got to have further opportunities to use the campus there so, we knew that was something we needed to do and that they would need some additional growing room and we had an opportunity to provide that additional growing room,” Wheeler added.
The $5 million state allocation will be used to revitalize the building, a move Bishopville Mayor Luke Giddings hopes will spur further development in the downtown area.
“This is one of the larger of the two buildings downtown... so to see it get revitalized will make a difference in our footprint," said Giddings.
Giddings adds, "Once these projects that the city, county, and state have been working on together in downtown Bishopville... and the wheels start turning like they have, I think private individuals will begin to invest some of their own money into revitalizing buildings and opening businesses,".
In a statement to News19, Dr. Kevin Pollock, president of Central Carolina Technical College, emphasized the importance of the partnership for the region's educational and economic future.
"Expanding our footprint in Lee County through the redevelopment of this historic building not only strengthens our commitment to the region but also opens doors for increased educational and economic opportunities. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality education that supports the needs of our community and drives local economic growth."
While there is no date for when the project will be completed or specific design plans available.