Mighty Municipalities

In this episode Mark Partin and Karl McCollester explore innovative recruitment packages by municipalities, focusing on attracting remote workers and leveraging natural resources. We discuss examples from West Virginia, Folly Beach, SC, Cheraw, SC, and McPherson, KS, highlighting strategies that don't rely solely on financial incentives but also community engagement and quality of life improvements.

Topics:

• Small Town Recruitment 
  • Recruitment incentives to relocate for remote work These 5 US states will pay you to move there—and one even has a $23,000 relocation package\ 
  • Recruitment incentives including housing allowances for public safety personnel: Housing stipends for Folly Beach police, fire could expand 
  • Cheraw: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/06-2025/cheraw-makes-its-case-attract-remote-workers  
  • https://www.makemymove.com  

Grants 

• 5/11/2026 ($350k): National Endowment for the Humanities Collections Stewardship grant: 
  • https://www.neh.gov/program/collections-stewardship 
  • https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/0dde865e-f4ba-4b19-8e14-b5b86cb7ccdc 
• 4/30: ($200k) Knight Cities Challenge Grants https://knightfoundation.org/knight-cities-challenge  

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website. 

Topic:
In this episode, Karl McCollester and Mark Partin explore innovative small-town transportation projects, including street trials, pedestrian-friendly initiatives, and grant opportunities to enhance community infrastructure.

Carrboro: 21,900  – Weekend Road closure in April 

• https://chapelboro.com/news/business/carrboros-e-weaver-street-to-close-to-vehicles-every-weekend-in-april-temporary-bike-ped-plaza 
• https://thelocalreporter.press/carrboro-discusses-closing-east-weaver-street-to-weekend-drivers/  

Redbank TN  11,900 - Temporary Street calming 

• https://www.redbanktn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3176/Red-Bank-Awarded-Federal-Grant?bidId=  
• Vision Zero: https://visionzeronetwork.org/about/what-is-vision-zero/ 

Grants Mentioned:

• International Mountain Bicycling Association – Trail Accelerator Planning Grant — Deadline March 15, 2026. Provides professional planning support to communities developing trail systems https://www.imba.com/programs/trail-accelerator-grants 
• The FY2026 Federal Historic Preservation Grants are now open, with applications due May 7, 2026 by 5 PM https://scdah.sc.gov/historic-preservation/programs/grants/federal-grants  
• 4/23 - NC Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants (5% match) https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/downtown-development-funds/application-rural-downtown-economic-development/download?attachment  

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website. 

Topic:

This episode features John Macloskey, the codes enforcement director of the City of Sumter, SC, discussing the impact of demolition programs on small municipalities, including strategies, challenges, and future goals. Learn how community efforts are transforming neighborhoods and the importance of effective code enforcement.

John Macloskey is the Codes Enforcement Director at the City of Sumter SC.  You can reach John at the City of Sumter through their Codes Complaint Form: 

• https://www.sumtersc.gov/codes-enforcement

Learn more about the Sumter PRIDE demolition program: 

• https://www.sumtersc.gov/codes-enforcement/sumter-pride-program

Grants Mentioned:

Tmobile Hometown Grants ($50k) 

• 25 towns per quarter 
• Next deadline 3/31 
• https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants 

Favrot Historic Preservation Grant ($15k) 3/2 

• Annual 
• https://savingplaces.org/favrot-fund  

Bureau of Reclamation Water Storage Grants (up to $30m) 4/17/26 

• https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/82ae6f0d-24b7-4bcb-8e40-4f55a0d7d509 
• 17 Western States, Alaska, Hawaii 

Americorp 3/31 ($25k per corps member) 

• https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/02326e51-73f5-495c-9825-5e4a67c42367 
• Americorp Member allowance: minimum $21k per year plus healthcare.   
• 24% match, increasing after year 3 
• To get the full $25k, $8k in matching funds (for salary and/or program expenses) 

NY – Records Management Grants ($75,000) 3/18 

• https://www.archives.nysed.gov/grants/lgrmif-grants 

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc.gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and Georgia.  He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website. 

Summary

In this episode of Mighty Municipalities, hosts Karl McCollester and Mark Partin discuss various initiatives and programs that small municipalities are implementing to enhance community living. They explore a rental inspection pilot program in Springfield, the opening of a new library in Aberdeen, public art projects in South Carolina, and the impact of art festivals on local economies. The episode concludes with a segment on available grants for municipalities, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and development.

Topics:

Springfield IL – Rental Inspection Pilot

• https://library.municode.com/MO/Springfield/CODES/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH75RERELIINPR
• https://www.ksmu.org/news/2025-11-04/springfield-city-council-enacts-rental-inspection-pilot-program

Aberdeen, NC – pop. 9300 new library and parklet

• https://sandhillssentinel.com/turning-the-page-aberdeen-bids-farewell-to-historic-library-welcomes-new-location 
• https://www.facebook.com/DowntownAberdeen/photos/have-you-checked-out-our-latest-addition-downtown-this-parklet-now-located-at-th/1356730146414930/ 

Public Art and Arts Festivals 

• Cayce Thomas Dambo Troll 
  • https://www.thecolumbiastar.com/articles/cayce-approves-landmark-public-art-investment-brings-first-thomas-dambo-troll-to-south-carolina/ 
• Swamp Fox Murals Trail  
  • https://trails.clarendoncounty.com  
•  Art Fields – Lake City, SC 
  • https://www.artfieldssc.org/ 
• Inspire Festival – Sumter, SC 
  • https://www.sumterinspirefestival.org/2026-events 

Grant Opportunites:

• 3/4: AARP Community Challenge 
  • https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/info-2026/2026-challenge.html  
• 3/26: SC - SCRIA Basic & Economic Infrastructure Grants  
  • https://ria.sc.gov/grants/how-to-apply  
• 5/1: NC –Helen impacted small business infrastructure grant program: 
  • https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/public-infrastructure-funds/small-business-infrastructure-grant-program#GuidelinesStatutesSmallBusinessInfrastructureGrants-3659 
• 2/20: NC, SC, OH, IN, KY, & FL - Duke Energy Foundation America250 
  • https://foundation.duke-energy.com/Request-for-Proposal

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website. 

Topics:
In this episode of Mighty Municipalities, hosts Karl McCollester and Mark Partin discuss the rapid population growth in South Carolina and its implications for small municipalities in the state. They explore the challenges of managing this growth, including infrastructure demands and legislative responses.

• Resource and Resiliency Commission: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4692.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Concurrency Bill: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/227.htm 

The conversation then turns to our discussion of new ideas from other municipalities for improvement:

Enhancing Your Local Assets:
Mark & Karl discuss Woodfin's unique use of it's natural asset and how focusing on your communities natural assets can help improve your community

• Woodfin, NC (pop. ~8,000) is installing a whitewater wave as part of it's local riverfront park project.  It's unique in that it provides a feature without a large maintenance cost.

Building Redevelopment:
We then discuss how preservation and conversion of historic buildings can help maintain and revitalize central business districts.  We cover four ways buildings can be reused:

• Education: Sumter, SC (pop ~43,000) repurposed an old grocery, auto parts store, and post office into part of the local community college. https://www.santeelynchescog.org/sites/default/files/uploads/services/cctchealthsciencesbackgrounder.pdf
• Business: Manning, SC (pop ~4,000) partnered with IT Call Center Provalus to refurbish a former department store: https://www.provalus.com/news/provalus-celebrates-opening-of-technology-innovation-center-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-in-manning-south-carolina
• Hospitality: Fountain Inn SC (pop ~14,000) converted a small mill into an event and restaurant space, and Pittsboro, NC (pop ~4,900) reonvated their old 1950's post office into a restaurant (and now cafe): https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article312412665.html
• Housing: Bessemer City, NC (pop ~5,500) converted their old textile mill into apartment housing by stacking multiple grants: https://bessemercity.com/osage-mill-ribbon-cutting/

We wrap up the discussion talking about the importance of working to secure historic properties and their maintenance shortly after closing to save on long-term restoration costs.

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and websites. 

Summary

In the inaugural episode of "Mighty Municipalities," hosts Karl McCollester and Mark Partin delve into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small municipalities. They emphasize the importance of celebrating the innovative solutions that smaller communities implement, often overlooked in favor of larger cities. The conversation highlights the significance of public-private partnerships, particularly in the context of waste management and child care services, showcasing how municipalities can creatively leverage existing resources to address pressing community needs.

Today's Topics:

• Bedford MA - composting program 
  • https://www.bedfordma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=618&ARC=1053
• Pittsfield IL - child care business incentive
  • https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/pittsfield-expands-incentive-program-hopes-bring-21032634.php
  • https://www.pittsfieldil.org/live-feed?page_no=11
  • https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/1c5f2795-8565-4467-bf83-4009c5495bc3/Agenda_09-02-2025.pdf?disposition=inline