BETHUNE, S.C. — The Town of Bethune is charting a course toward becoming a vibrant and thriving community, as Mayor Susan Holley announced the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the revitalization of its Main Street.
"We really have a very quaint and pretty Main Street. It's just one block, and we're focusing on that area before we branch out and work on other areas," Holley said.
The town has approved the designation of ARPA funds.
"A little over $29,000, and that's for the master plan or roadmap for revitalization and refurbishment of basically our entire Main Street," Holley said.
This will give us an idea of how we can use what we have through granting opportunities or tax incentives for investors, and this will give us a roadmap."
The first phase began with a market assessment, revealing what opportunities the town may be missing for local spending.
A substantial $3.5 million is estimated to be leaking from the town within a 5-minute drive, increasing to $32.4 million as the radius extends to 15 minutes outside of town limits.
The ARPA funds will propel the project into its second phase, focused on redevelopment planning. Mayor Holley outlined the objectives of this phase.
"This is for creating the plan for redevelopment, and this will give us an idea of how we can use what we have, what type of granting opportunities or tax incentives can we use for prospective investors," Holley said.
Additionally, the town has approved $20,000 in ARPA funds to relocate town hall to the former library at Bethune Elementary.
Mayor Holley highlighted the benefits of this move.
"This will meet many needs for staff and for the public. We have plans for improved privacy and improved security, and plus we have room to expand and divide the workspaces up," Holley said.
With town hall moving, the Sheriff's Office substation in the current town hall will expand into the vacated space.
The project is out to bid.