Summary

In this episode of Mighty Municipalities, hosts Karl McCollester and Mark Partin discuss various initiatives and programs that small municipalities are implementing to enhance community living. They explore a rental inspection pilot program in Springfield, the opening of a new library in Aberdeen, public art projects in South Carolina, and the impact of art festivals on local economies. The episode concludes with a segment on available grants for municipalities, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and development.

Topics:

Springfield IL – Rental Inspection Pilot

• https://library.municode.com/MO/Springfield/CODES/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH75RERELIINPR
• https://www.ksmu.org/news/2025-11-04/springfield-city-council-enacts-rental-inspection-pilot-program

Aberdeen, NC – pop. 9300 new library and parklet

• https://sandhillssentinel.com/turning-the-page-aberdeen-bids-farewell-to-historic-library-welcomes-new-location
• https://www.facebook.com/DowntownAberdeen/photos/have-you-checked-out-our-latest-addition-downtown-this-parklet-now-located-at-th/1356730146414930/

Public Art and Arts Festivals

• Cayce Thomas Dambo Troll
  • https://www.thecolumbiastar.com/articles/cayce-approves-landmark-public-art-investment-brings-first-thomas-dambo-troll-to-south-carolina/
• Swamp Fox Murals Trail
  • https://trails.clarendoncounty.com
• Art Fields – Lake City, SC
  • https://www.artfieldssc.org/
• Inspire Festival – Sumter, SC
  • https://www.sumterinspirefestival.org/2026-events

Grant Opportunites:

• 3/4: AARP Community Challenge
  • https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/info-2026/2026-challenge.html
• 3/26: SC - SCRIA Basic & Economic Infrastructure Grants
  • https://ria.sc.gov/grants/how-to-apply
• 5/1: NC –Helen impacted small business infrastructure grant program:
  • https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/public-infrastructure-funds/small-business-infrastructure-grant-program#GuidelinesStatutesSmallBusinessInfrastructureGrants-3659
• 2/20: NC, SC, OH, IN, KY, & FL - Duke Energy Foundation America250
  • https://foundation.duke-energy.com/Request-for-Proposal

Find Us:
Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov). Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/

Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George. He is the CEO of GovPossible.

GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.