Main Street Challenge
Main Street Challenge program
encourages new businesses to open
2022 Winner on Main Street Challenge
Envision Williamston, in partnership with Town of Williamston reopened the Main Street Challenge New Business Program. The Main Street Challenge is an entrepreneurial start-up competition for the purpose of generating additional retail occupancy in downtown Williamston.
The Main Street Challenge offered an incentive package up to $5,000 for a new retail business or restaurant to locate in downtown Williamston no later than October 30, 2022.
Depending on applicants, there was to be one award of $5,000 or two awards of $2,500.
Main Street Challenge applications were due March 15, 2022.
Envision Williamston Choose Raines In Williamston as The Main Street Challenge Winner. They received their Award at the Williamston Town Counsil Meeting and Will Receive 6 Monthly Installment Payments.
Envision Williamston, in partnership with Town of Williamston has reopened the Main Street Challenge New Business Program. The Main Street Challenge is an entrepreneurial start-up competition for the purpose of generating additional retail occupancy in downtown Williamston.
The Main Street Challenge offers an incentive package up to $5,000 for a new retail business or restaurant to locate in downtown Williamston no later than October 30, 2022.
Depending on applicants, there will be one award of $5,000 or two awards of $2,500.
Main Street Challenge applications are due March 15.
Program Overview
The incentive package is for a new retail business or restaurant to locate in downtown Williamston no later than October 30, 2022.
The purpose is to foster economic development by encouraging additional retail occupancy in downtown Williamston, At the same time, it provides a mean by which local area or reginal merchants can advance their desire to expand or open a new business in the area.
Business concepts can be a New start Up Business; Franchise; Expansion or relocation of an existing business from another community or a significant expansion of a local business that would branch into another business concept.
The Williamston Main Street Challenge has several goals including:
• Innovatively recruit new businesses that will diversify the mix of offerings in Williamston.
• Showcase and market existing available properties in the downtown area.
• Provide entrepreneurial businesses with financial assistance to launch their concepts.
• Create positive buzz about Downtown Williamston
• Drive consumer traffic to Williamston’s Downtown Historic Corridor
• Create opportunities for new long-term property leases in Downtown Williamston
• Generate ideas, leads, and insights to aid efforts to support job creation and revenue
growth.
The awards are designed to help defray the start-up costs of opening a business in the Town of Williamston.
Winners who are leasing properties from participating property owners will be obligated to execute a minimum three year lease for a street level retain/service/ office location in downtown Williamston.
If the applicant is a current downtown business owner, application must be with the intent to introduce, open and operate a concept which will offer a new element not promoted in the existing location, or expand upon and highlight and element that would be removed from the existing location.
The applicant must be willing and able to demonstrate the financial ability to commit to a minimum three year lease or otherwise long-term business occupancy in downtown Williamston, in a property pre-qualified and selected for this competition, or one within the designated boundaries.
Envision Williamston and The Town of Williamston seek to consider support to any viable business entering the competition whether or not that business wins the Williamston Main Street Challenge. All entrants with feasible business plans can be contacted with information about available property in Downtown Williamston.
Proposed Timeline:
March 15, 2022- Applications are due.
March 30, 2022 – Semi Finalists are selected by the Selection Committee.
May 31, 2022 – Semi Finalists business plans are due.
June 15, 2022 – Finalists provide their presentations and are interviewed by the Selection
Committee.
July 15, 2022 – The Main Event public pitch to the Selection Committee, EW Board and/or
Studio audience.
July 31, 2022 – Winner(s) publicly announced.
October 30, 2022 – Business Opened (On before)
Envision Williamston has also reopened the Façade Grant Program which is designed to stimulate a limited number of additional improvements to the exterior of commercial buildings within the Town of Williamston.
Facade Grant applications must be turned in to the Envision Williamston’s drop box at Town
Hall between by April 30.
For information on either program, contact Envision Williamston Director Roberta Hamby at EWBoardMembers@gmail.com or by scheduled appointment at the Envision Williamston Town Hall office at (864) 847-7473.
Heart & Home Designs and Boutique named 2020 Main Street Challenge winner
Heart & Home Designs and Boutique recently held a ribbon cutting for their new businesses located in Williamston.
Owners are Debbie Alexander and Paula Phillips.
Alexander and Phillips have been long time friends for almost 20 years and both are residents of the Williamston and Pelzer area.
After doing several area craft festivals including Westy’s Vintage Market in West Pelzer and the Spring Water Festival in Williamston, they decided to open in Williamston.
Their business idea was chosen as one of the winners of the Envision Williamston Main Street Challenge, which provides grant money to help a new local small business open. “We are so proud of this award,” Phillips said.
Home & Heart Designs and Boutique offer unique quality handmade items including farmhouse decor as well as repurposing vintage items into one-of-a-kind home decor.
They have jewelry including earrings, bracelets and necklaces and offer a variety of women’s apparel and accessories.
They have candles and wax melts and even face masks.
Home & Heart Designs and Boutique is located at 1110 Anderson Drive in Williamston.
Store Hours are: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm
For more information, visit us on Facebook @ Heart & Home Designs and Boutique
Envision Williamston Re-opens Application Process for 2019. Application Deadline is January 31, 2019.
Due unforseen circumstances, Mr. Travis McCurly will not be able to fulfill his obligation as winner of the Main Street Challenge. The Envision Williamston Board of Directors voted to reopen the application process. Applications are available now and must be turned in by end of business day on Friday, January 31, 2020. Click here to download the application. The winner will be chosen by the end of February 2020, and should be prepared to have their business open to the public no later than June 1, 2020.
Envision Williamston Announces Main Street Challenge Winners – 2019!
Envision Williamston recently announced winners of the Main Street Challenge grant program for 2019. The winners are Travis McCurly “Brew N Q” and Kristy Johnston “Phoenix: Born Again Retail”. Brew N Q is currently a BBQ catering company, competition BBQ cook team and soon to be restaurant to locate in Williamston. In addition to low and slow smoked BBQ, homemade sides and desserts, they plan to use SC certified products and offer local craft beer from the Upstate. Phoenix will be a gift, consignment and resale shop. They plan to offer quality clothing, children’s items, accessories and gifts at affordable prices. The winners are eligible for up to $10,000 in incentives offered through the Envision Williamston Main Street Challenge. Congratulations to Travis and Kristy!
2019 Main Street Challenge Grant Program Information
Main Street Challenge PowerPoint
Envision Williamston Announces Main Street Challenge Winners for FY2017-2018
(EW Executive Director Sonya Crandall with Chris and Samantha Wagner)
The Main Street Challenge winner for 2017-18 is the dynamic duo of Chris and Samantha Wagner who are planning to open an events venue at the Davenport House on West Main Street.
Envision Williamston/Town of Williamston Main Street Challenge
CONTACT: Roberta B. Hamby – Executive Director at (864) 847-7473.
EWBoardMembers@gmail.com
More Information: