Advertise on podcast: City Quick Connect Podcast from the Municipal Association of South Carolina

The City of Newberry’s 2026 Municipal Achievement Award recognizes the project that transformed a large building, once the home of a grocery store and then a newspaper office, into the new location of the Newberry Arts Center. Hear from NAC Director Marquerite Palmer, Newberry Director of Planning and Development Wayne Redfern and Newberry City Manager Jason Taylor. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2026/population-10001-20000-category-city-newberry-newberry-arts-center-complex

The City of Hardeeville’s 2026 Municipal Achievement Award recognizes the Harvey Place project, a set of 10 townhouses on Hardeeville’s Main Street to serve as a proof-of-concept model for attainable housing in the region. City Manager Josh Gruber talks about Hardeeville’s approach to housing needs, and the many community partnerships that made the development possible. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2026/population-5001-10000-category-city-hardeeville-harvey-place-collaboration

The Municipal Association of SC Risk Management Services will host its 2026 conference in Greenville on November 4 – 6, with registration for SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund members closing this Friday, October 16. Director of RMS Naomi Reed and Loss Control Manager Bethany Pendley discuss the safety and risk-related topics on the agenda. More information: https://www.masc.sc/event/risk-management-services-conferenceannual-members-meeting

The Town of Seabrook Island’s 2026 Municipal Achievement Award recognizes its Disaster Recovery Council, a collaborative approach for strengthening preparedness for threats like hurricanes, flooding or power outages. Mayor Bruce Kleinman discusses the council and the types of training scenarios it uses. Learn more: www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2026/1-1000-population-category-town-seabrooks-disaster-recovery-council

Downtown Florence won the 2026 Excellence on Main Street Award for a townhome development helping to bridge the downtown’s eastern boundary with other neighborhoods targeted for revitalization — a project already helping spur other housing developments. Main Street SC Manager Jenny Boulware discusses the project with developer Jesse Wiles of APD Urban Planning and Management, LLC, and Florence Development Manager Hannah Davis. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/inspiration-awards

Through a partnership with the Aiken Land Conservancy, the city purchased a large area of land around Aiken’s Mason Branch Reservoir, placing it under a conservation easement and permanently protecting this drinking water source from development. Hear from City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh, Assistant City Manager Mary Tilton and Aiken Land Conservancy Executive Director Peter Kleinhenz about the project. Learn more: www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2026/public-works-category-city-aiken-shaws-creek-preserve-0

Many adults with disabilities face decreasing opportunities for recreation, socialization and community after they age out of youth services. The City of Goose Creek established its Therapeutic Recreation Division as a dedicated branch of the Recreation Department to address this gap. Hannah Miller, who handles the program, discusses. Learn more: www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2026/public-service-category-city-goose-creek-therapeutic-recreation-division

Finding that government updates through channels like press releases and social media, had grown less effective in reaching residents, the Town of Summerville created “Good Morning, Summerville,” a short-form video series running on a weekday schedule. Summerville Public Information Officer Chris Makowski discusses how the video series is made, and the impact it has in the community. Learn more: www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2026/communications-category-town-summerville-good-morning-summerville

In September and October, the Regional Advocacy Meetings will take place at several locations around the state, connecting municipal officials with the Association’s Advocacy staff as they discuss recently passed bills and the upcoming legislative session. Casey Fields and Jake Broom talk about the benefits that attending the meetings has for municipal officials. More information: https://www.masc.sc/get-involved/regional-advocacy-meetings

Main Street South Carolina partnered with Hannah Davis, Main Street program manager in Florence, to develop “Historic Preservation: A Main Street Leader’s Guide.” Main Street SC Manager Jenny Boulware talks with Davis about what local leaders should know about historic preservation, what’s in the guide and how to start using it. Find the guide here: https://l.masc.sc/HPG26

The Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government, as well as the Advanced MEO Institute and Advanced Continuing Education, have sessions coming up in September and October. Municipal Association Staff Associate for Training and Learning Solutions Urica Floyd talks about the development and evolution of the MEO Institute, as well as the specific sessions planned for the fall. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/training-programs/municipal-elected-officials-institute-government

The Municipal Association’s IMPACT Fund, powered by VC3, offers $25,000 Problem Solver Grants and $100,000 Big Idea Grants. Jake Broom and Sara Whitaker talk about the cities and towns that received funding in 2025, and what local leader should know when they are applying for 2026 funding ahead of the September 25 deadline. More information: www.masc.sc/impact-fund

The Municipal Association’s Small Cities Summit, taking place August 12, is aimed at addressing the needs and challenges of smaller cities and towns. The Association’s Executive Director Todd Glover and Deputy Executive Director Jake Broom talk about conference sessions that will cover financial management topics, as well as the opportunities to connect with state and federal agencies at the meeting. Learn more: www.masc.sc/2026-small-cities-summit

Web accessibility requirements for cities and towns under the Americans with Disabilities Act are nothing new. However, legal requirements for accessibility will go into effect in April 2027 and April 2028, depending on the municipality’s population. Kevin Benson of VC3 discusses what city officials need to know. More information: https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/

In 2026, the General Assembly passed laws making numerous changes to municipal elections, including standardizing election days, limiting municipal election commissions to larger cities, and limiting dates for special elections. Municipal Association General Counsel Eric Shytle and Associate General Counsel Sara Weathers discuss the impacts.