Winthrop: Greenway Connectivity Study
FMEP's University Partner to study economic impact & more.
Winthrop University's Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics will offer two classes in the Fall 2021 semester as part of their academic program in High Impact Processes. Students will study various facets of a proposed connection through Fort Mill of the Carolina Thread Trail and the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Topics include economic impact, feasibility, and community and business outreach. Dr. Nicholas Moellman and Dr. Danko Tarabar will direct the classes. Department head Dr. Lou Pantuosco is overseeing the initiative and working with the two professors to design the coursework.
Findings by the students will be presented to partners at the end of the semester for use in future planning efforts by local officials and non-profit entities.
STRAWBERRY SPRINT & STROLL 5K
Fast or slow...however you roll this is the event for you!
The SPRINT course begins and ends on Confederate Street and takes runners through Fort Mill's Historic District and neighboring residential streets.
In addition to the competitive 5K, the STROLL (fun run) is a great option for families with children or anyone who likes a slower pace. Same course, shorter distance.
The 2022 event will include a runner's village with live music, food vendors, and Berry B. Good, Fort Mill’s cheerful strawberry mascot, on hand to pose with sprinters and strollers alike. No matter the category you choose, everyone receives a race shirt and participation medal!
WAYFINDER SIGNAGE SYSTEM
There’s more to see and do in Fort Mill than ever. The Wayfinder Signage System helps people get there.
After a joint study by the FMEP and town staff, the Wayfinder Development Plan was presented to the Fort Mill Town Council in February 2019.
The Wayfinder Signage System includes three types of signage that incorporates the town’s logo, including signs that mark when travelers are entering town limits from different routes creating an identity inside the community. The signage will help with the delineation of what is inside and what is outside the Fort Mill town limits.
THE BAILEY BILL
For developers doing their first historic rehabilitation tax credit deal in Fort Mill there potentially is available property tax incentives that may accompany your historic rehab tax credits.
In South Carolina, state law authorizes local tax authorities to adopt, by ordinance, a special assessment for eligible historic rehabilitation properties and low income properties. This little known incentive is known as the “Bailey Bill”. It can lock-in the assessed value on the property at its pre-rehab value for up to 20 years. It could save you hundreds of thousands in property taxes over the life of the special assessment period. This requires preliminary approval for the Bailey Bill from the Town of Fort Mill before you start construction.
For program details and application forms see the links below.
Bailey Bill Application Preliminary Certification
Bailey Bill Application Final Certification
FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT
On September 26, 2016, Fort Mill Town Council adopted a Façade Improvement Grant Program to encourage reinvestment in, and revitalization of, the downtown commercial district.
This program provides reimbursable matching grants of up to $5,000 to help offset the cost of exterior improvements to a property owner or tenant’s commercial building. The Façade Improvement Grant Program requires a minimum match equal to, or greater than, the total grant amount. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis until all available funding for the current fiscal year has been committed. Individuals and business owners who wish to be considered for a grant must complete and submit a formal application.
For program details and application forms see the links below.
Façade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines
Façade Improvement Grant Application Form
Façade Improvement Grant Property Owner Consent Form