Episode 3: Rental Inspections; Reusing Closing Properties, Public Art, Arts Festivals, & Upcoming Grant Opportunities
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
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
- Swamp Fox Murals Trail
- https://trails.clarendoncounty.com
- Art Fields – Lake City, SC
- Inspire Festival – Sumter, SC
Grant Opportunites:
- 3/4: AARP Community Challenge
- 3/26: SC - SCRIA Basic & Economic Infrastructure Grants
- 5/1: NC –Helen impacted small business infrastructure grant program:
- 2/20: NC, SC, OH, IN, KY, & FL - Duke Energy Foundation America250
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.