Economic Development

The revitalization activities in Downtown Sumter have stimulated a great deal of interest and activity in the Central Business District. The streetscape project, renovation to our parking lots and the numerous buildings that have received a facelift through our Faade Grant Program have all served as a catalyst for development by the private sector. One new building was constructed on East Liberty Street in 2003 and two more will start construction in 2004. These three buildings will represent an investment by local businesses of over $1 million dollars in an area that just two years ago was the site of condemned structures.

Another new building on the former Burns Hardware site is also scheduled for construction this year. The former Brody Department Store building will soon be home to several businesses and the new Artist Colony on Caldwell Street is enjoying success since opening in December, 2003.

Because of the revitalization efforts, buildings that have been for sale for an extended period of time are now selling and the new owners are providing the necessary renovations to make the properties an attractive asset to the downtown area. To find out more about the economic development opportunities in Downtown Sumter, contact Ray Reich, Downtown Development Manager, at (803) 436-2535.

Downtown Sumter Newsletter (PDF*)

AVAILABLE PROPERTY

Most properties in the downtown area are owned by private parties which handle the sale and leasing of those properties. However, if you need general information regarding size, suitable use and location, you may contact the City of Sumter Downtown Development Manager at (803) 436-2535.

For Sale:
1 South Main - Contact Hawkins & Kolb Century 21 - (803) 773-1477
13 Caldwell Street - Contact Bill Smith (803) 469-9555
22 South Main - Contact Prudential John Brabham Real Estate (803) 775-2085

For Lease:
36 N. Main Street - Contact Ramon Schwartz - (803) 774-1000
106 N. Main - Contact Mack Kolb - (803) 773-1477
16 East Liberty - Contact Brown Watson Realty (803) 775-1281
12 West Liberty - Contact Ray Reich (803) 436-2535
24 West Liberty - Contact Mark Brody (864) 240-8249
7 East Hampton - Contact Woody Evans (803) 775-3401

BE YOUR OWN BOSS

Do you want to own your own business? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do you want to be independent? Do you want advice? Do you need financing? Do you want a list of opportunities? Attend classes at Central Carolina Technical College!

"How To Start & Operate A Small Business"
Instructor: Ray Reich (803) 436-2535
Time: 7-10 pm
Contact Central Carolina Technical College at (803) 778-6650 for future class dates.

CLASS ONE

1. Introduction and background of instructor
2. Poll class on the types of business they desire to start
3. Self Assessment Exercise

• The 12 Keys To Starting A Successful Business
• Operation basics of running a business
• Guest Speaker - Attorney
  • The Legal Structures of A Business - What Is Right For You
  • Buy-Sell Agreements
• Bookkeeping issues
• Tax issues
• Licenses
• Accounting
• Insurance - Guest Speaker
• Other
• Regulatory agencies - OSHA, DHEC,ABCC,EPA

CLASS TWO

• Advertising & Marketing
• Visual marketing
• U.S.P. - What is your niche?
• Guest Speaker -local business owner
• Franchise opportunities as opposed to a total start-up from an idea or concept
• Pricing your products and/or services

CLASS THREE

• Location, Location, Location
  • Selecting A Location
  • Renting vs. leasing
  • Structuring a lease
• Speaker - Sumter City-County Planning Director
• Will discuss zoning considerations, sign regulations, home based business zoning, etc.
• Inventory issues & inventory management
• Stages of business development
  1. Forecasting & Budgeting
  2. Human Resource issues
• The Basics of Selling - "Nothing happens until something is sold"
• Mail Order & Internet Opportunities

CLASS FOUR

• Show Me The Money
• Financing basics
• Banking
• The basics of preparing a Business Plan
• The basics of writing a Loan Proposal
• Guest Speaker: Local bank loan officer
  • Alternate Sources of funding
• Other Government programs
• Loan terms
• Loan interest rates, negotiating with the lender
• Overview and General Q & A

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES

Several economic incentive programs are available for new or existing businesses in the Downtown Sumter area. The program boundaries are from Calhoun Street to Oakland Avenue and Sumter Street to Harvin Street. The programs include:

LOW INTEREST LOAN POOL PROGRAM (PDF*)

The City of Sumter, Santee Lynches Regional Development Corporation, and eight area financial institutions have established a Low Interest Loan Program to encourage development, re-development and general improvement to commercial and residential properties in the Sumter downtown business district. The eligible area is bounded by Calhoun Street south to Oakland Avenue and Sumter Street east to Harvin Street.

Any commercial or residential project in the eligible area qualifies under the program. The main objective of the program is to provide a strong financial incentive for the rehabilitation of the exterior and interior of building structures in downtown Sumter. Another goal is to insure that the proposed rehabilitation work is of a quality design and is sensitive to the architectural and historical qualities that make our downtown buildings distinctive.

Complete details of the program can be downloaded or contact Ray Reich, City of Sumter Downtown Development Manager at (803) 436-2535.

FACADE GRANT PROGRAM (PDF*)

The Facade grant program is available to business and/or building owners that are located in the designated Facade Grant area of the City of Sumter.

Facade grant renovation can be used on an exterior portion of the building that is visible to the public. This can include the front, back and sides of the building. Facade grant money may not be used for interior renovations or roof repair.

This is a competitive grant program with applications accepted once each calendar year during the month of March. Grants are awarded in April. You may download the program details and application or contact Ray Reich, City of Sumter Downtown Development Manager at (803) 436-2535.

HUD 108 Loans

Certain qualifying large projects may be eligible for low interest loans provided by HUD and administered by the City of Sumter. For complete information contact Ray Reich, City of Sumter Downtown Development Manager at (803) 436-2535.

FORMS & APPLICATIONS

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

Pictured below is a rendering of the Clark Law Firm building that is scheduled to be built during 2004 on East Liberty Street, adjacent to the new XDOS building that opened in 2003. A third building is also scheduled for construction in 2004, it will be the home of the architectural firm, James, Durant, Matthews & Shelly.

Also planned in 2004 is a new building at 33 N. Main Street, which originally housed Burns Hardware and was destroyed by fire when it housed the Main Street Bistro. The new building will be commercial space on the first floor and residential on the second floor.

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