Business View Magazine | March 2019

MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA 173 South Carolina cities have proven that trail projects don’t have to be located by the water to successfully boost an area’s livability and economic prospects. Several years ago, the cities of Easley and Pickens joined other com- munities in creating a local Rails to Trails pro- gram. The 8½-mile trail connecting these cit- ies is known as the Doodle Trail, and it has led to new businesses opening at trail heads. The City of Walhalla, located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, saw a valuable opportunity to draw in visitors when a nonprofit organiza- tion first created the Palmetto Trail, a project that aims to connect coastal Charleston County to the mountains. The city partnered with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to extend the trail into its downtown. CREATING BUSINESS-FRIENDLY GOVERNANCE Cities and towns can also help the businesses operate within their boundaries by streamlin- ing their business licensing and permitting processes. The City of Mauldin’s Business and Development Services office and the City of Hartsville Business Navigator provide good examples of business one-stop shops. The Municipal Association has promoted the stan- dardization of business license processes to make life easier for those companies operating in multiple cities. Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Credit – City of Florence The construction of new homes in Vista Place aimed to support community development and downtown neighborhoods. Photo: City of Florence.