24-05-2025
New $100K grant to help with downtown Florence development
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Usually, restaurants and entertainment come to mind when people think of downtown Florence.
But with a new, $100,000 grant, the Florence Downtown Redevelopment Corporation hopes to change that. For nearly 50 years, Main Street America has partnered with nationally recognized corporations and foundations to deliver grants and support local economies.
Hannah Davis, the Main Street program manager of Florence, says the city was one of a few nationally chosen.
'We are one of three recipients of accelerator spaces in the country, which is really exciting that Florence was chosen,' Davis said. 'This facility is currently under design phase with the architects and the design company, and really, there isn't a whole lot to do.'
This year, after applying for the grant, the Florence Downtown Economic Development Corporation was awarded $100,000 from the Hartfood, a Fortune 500 insurance company.
The money will establish a two-storefront retail incubator space on the first floor of the 1900 square foot space on W. Evans Street. It's owned by the city of Florence and located directly across from the Florence City Center building and will house two businesses.
'So, with this physical space, which will be offered to two tenants for the first year, and we will be able to start accepting tenants, hopefully by the end of this year,' Davis said. 'We will start the application process and the vetting of tenants and getting them squared away and put into this facility.'
The space will help small retailers grow from start-ups to established businesses and provide a supportive environment, like marketing and financial management. The program is not designed for dining or entertainment.
'This program specifically is for business owners who currently operate a pop-up shop, so if you're popping up a retail business at a festival or an event, or if you're at a farmers market currently, you can come here,' Davis said. 'People who are online business exclusively and people who have maybe tested with some pilot or tested with some pop-ups who aren't quite sure if they're ready for a brick and mortar — they will be able to come in here as well.'
The program, once it's started, will have 12 classes throughout the year and will be open to small business owners who want to participate — whether you have a downtown business or not.
The city will announce and accept applications later this year, here. The program will be up and running by May 2026.
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Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here.
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