Blythewood Economic Development
and Tourism Grant Spending Initiative
The Town of Blythewood Economic Development and Tourism proposes a strategic $525,000 grant initiative designed to fuel the town’s economic growth, expand small business opportunities, enhance cultural engagement, and improve the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors. This initiative reflects a bold investment in community vitality, entrepreneurship, and place-making, directly supporting the mission to build a vibrant and inclusive future for Blythewood and its surrounding areas.
At the forefront of this plan is the development of a Blythewood Welcome & Resource Center. This facility will serve as a central hub where community members and visitors alike can access business resources, local information, and tourist guidance. The Center will include interactive displays, cultural exhibits, a retail section featuring goods from local artisans, and a hospitality station for event and trail information. An estimated $100,000 will fund the building lease or renovations, staffing, visitor materials, and furnishing needs.
To strengthen the town’s business ecosystem, an additional $110,000 will be allocated to small business development. This includes a microgrant program offering direct capital to emerging and underrepresented entrepreneurs, as well as a series of educational workshops on key topics such as finance, digital marketing, and legal compliance. A co-working feasibility study will also be commissioned to explore the creation of shared workspaces that cater to startups and freelancers.
Cultural enrichment and community tourism are also vital to Blythewood’s identity. With an investment of $130,000, the town will host the Blythewood Heritage Festival, which will spotlight the area’s history, arts, food, and music. Funds will support agritourism initiatives by partnering with local farms to provide seasonal attractions, while a self-guided historical trail and mobile tour app will educate visitors about significant sites. Additional funds will commission public art installations that celebrate Blythewood’s character, and a weekend shuttle program will enhance accessibility to attractions.
To ensure the town’s physical environment reflects its economic ambitions, $100,000 will be used to enhance infrastructure and public spaces. This includes a downtown beautification project focused on improving landscaping, lighting, and seating areas, as well as a comprehensive wayfinding system to direct visitors to key points of interest. Investment will also improve outdoor event spaces with portable stages, tents, and audiovisual equipment, and upgrade trails and greenways to encourage recreational use.
Finally, marketing and promotional efforts will be essential in elevating Blythewood’s profile. A total of $85,000 will support the production of high-quality tourism videos, printed visitor guides and maps, and a regional advertising campaign that includes billboards, radio spots, and press coverage in surrounding markets. These efforts aim to boost visitor traffic, encourage economic activity, and strengthen the town’s brand identity.
In total, this $525,000 grant initiative reflects a comprehensive plan to activate Blythewood’s potential. By investing in its people, promoting its unique identity, and enhancing its public spaces, the town will become a destination for opportunity, a model of small-town revitalization, and a hub for cultural pride in South Carolina.