What is Main Street South Carolina?

Main Street South Carolina is a technical assistance program that empowers communities as they revitalize their historic downtowns, encouraging economic development and historic preservation.

Since 1983, Main Street South Carolina has helped communities build up the business and image of their downtown commercial districts by using the successful Main Street Four-Point Approach®. This comprehensive, incremental approach to revitalization focuses on a community’s unique heritage and existing assets as well as coordinating efforts. Local resources and local initiative drive revitalization efforts while the state program helps the communities develop their own strategies for stimulating long-term downtown economic growth. The time-tested approach reminds stakeholders that a healthy downtown is a key part of sustainable economic development.

Main Street South Carolina is Main Street America™Coordinating Program. Main Street America helps to lead a powerful, grassroots network consisting of more than 40 Coordinating Programs and 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country committed to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. In South Carolina, cities like Beaufort, Dillon and Laurens have discovered that — with the help of Main Street South Carolina — downtowns can thrive as centers of commerce and community again.

Why Main Street?

  • It creates jobs – A revitalized district attracts new industry and strengthens service and retail job markets.
  • It saves tax dollars – Revitalization stabilizes and improves a downtown’s tax base while also protecting existing investments.
  • It preserves a community’s historic resources – In an economically healthy downtown, property owners maintain their historic buildings and preserve an important part of their community’s heritage and identity.
  • It builds community pride – Main Street provides a public space for community members to come together, create new partnerships and celebrate their downtown.

Four Point Approach

The Main Street Four-Point Approach® leverages local assets: historic, cultural and architectural resources as well as local enterprises and community pride. It is a comprehensive strategy to address the many issues that challenge historic commercial districts. These points are the keys to a successful strategy:

Organization involves building a Main Street framework that is well represented by businesses and property owners, bankers, citizens, historic preservationists, entrepreneurs, public officials, chambers of commerce, and other local economic development organizations. Everyone must work together to renew downtown. A strong organization provides the structure and stability to build and maintain a long-term effort.

Promotion creates excitement and vibrancy downtown. Street festivals, parades, retail events and image development campaigns are some of the ways Main Street educates a community on what can be downtown and encourages customer traffic. Promotion presents an inviting image to shoppers, investors and visitors.

Design enhances the look and feel of the commercial district. Historic building rehabilitation, street and alley cleanup, landscaping, street furniture, signage, visual merchandising and lighting all improve the physical image of a downtown as a desirable place to shop, work, walk, live and invest in development. Design improvements create a reinvestment of both public and private dollars downtown.

Economic Vitality involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses, and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street’s traditional merchants are examples.

VISION

Our goal is to maximize the vitality of downtown Kingstree so that new businesses will be encouraged to come and existing businesses will see increased revenue while enhancing the experience of a small historic southern town.  

MISSION

Main Street Kingstree’s mission is to take a lead role in revitalization efforts in the downtown area in order to enhance and develop economic opportunities in Kingstree.  The organization spearheads streetscape beautification, building rehabilitation and community events to increase property value and decrease commercial vacancy to bring vitality and strength to Kingstree while preserving history and traditions that make this town a special place to play, work and live. 

CONTACT

Vacant
Main Street Director
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Stan Williamson

Town Councilman District 6

Stan Williamson is serving his first term as councilmember for District 6.

Stan was born and raised in Kingstree and Williamsburg County. He graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 1982 and the University of South Carolina in 1986 and immediately started working for Santee Electric Cooperative.

Stan served on the Board of Directors of Williamsburg Academy for 19 years and on the Williamsburg County Development Corporation for 8 years, the last 4 as Chairman. After a career of over 30 years at Santee Electric Cooperative, he is now employed by Palmetto Synthetics as the Manager of Human Resources. He is also currently serving as the Chairman of the Town of Kingstree Development Corporation and is a member of the Williamsburg Hometown Chamber Board of Directors.

Stan and his wife Lori have been married for 30 years and have two children, Matthew, an attorney in Charleston, SC, and Ann Louise, a senior at Clemson University. Stan and Lori attend and are active in their Church, Kingstree United Methodist.

Bubba Hammet

Town Councilman District 5

C. M. (Bubba) Hammet Jr. is serving his third term as council member for District 5. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and is currently a Customer Service Representative with FTC (Farmers Telephone Cooperative).

Hammet has served as president, board member and is currently vice-president of the Williamsburg Historical Society, a board member of Keep Williamsburg Beautiful, and a member of the Revolving Loan Committee, a sub-committee of the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments.

Derek Fitts

Town Councilman District 4

Mr. Fitts took office in January 2022. Bio information is coming soon.

Chris Williams

Town Councilman District 3

Chris Williams was sworn in for his first term on Council on February 29,2016.

C. Michelle Butterworth

Town Councilwoman District 2, Mayor Pro Tem

Dr. Michelle Butterworth is serving her second term as councilmember for District 2. She is a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. She has lived in Kingstree, SC for over 16 years. Although Dr. Butterworth grew up in Baltimore, MD, she calls Kingstree her home now. She loves working in this rural area where she is needed and truly enjoys helping make a difference in her patient’s lives. She is excited to represent the people in her area and serve her community.

Dr. Butterworth currently practices medicine at the Pee Dee Foot Center. She serves as the Chief of the Medical Staff at Williamsburg Regional Hospital. She is active on committees for the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the South Carolina Podiatric Medical Association, the Podiatry Insurance Company of America, and the American Academy of Foot and Ankle Osteosynthesis. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Podiatry Institute.

Dr. Butterworth is involved with our community and started a non-profit organization called Kingstree Kids, which provides toys at Christmas time for needy children of Williamsburg County and necessities year round for families in need. She also started a Cross Country team at Williamsburg Academy and will be one of the coaches for their track and field team.

Frankie White

Town Councilwoman District 1

Reverend Frankie White was born to Mr. and Mrs. Eddie and Betty White. His educational journey began at Kingstree High School, where he laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Afterward, he pursued higher education at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Reverend White’s quest for knowledge and spiritual enlightenment led him to Master’s International School of Divinity in Evansville, Indiana, where he obtained a doctorate in divinity. This academic pursuit speaks to his deep-rooted faith and dedication to serving his congregation and community with wisdom and compassion. As a testament to his devotion to his faith, Reverend White has been pastoring for an impressive 43 years, offering spiritual guidance and support to those in need. Currently, he serves as the esteemed pastor of Briggs A.M.E. Church in Manning, South Carolina.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Reverend White is an active member of various organizations, reflecting his commitment to social activism and community engagement. As a lifetime member of the NAACP and a member of the Allen University Alumni Association and Master’s International of Divinity Alumni Association, he continues to advocate for equality, justice, and education. His involvement in fraternal organizations such as Phi Beta Sigma Inc. and his standing as a Master Mason 244, Holy Royal Arks, and 32 Degree Mason, highlight his dedication to brotherhood, service, and personal growth.

Councilman White is married to Helen Thomas-White, and together they have raised three children—Terrance, Fredrena, and Tay—and are blessed with five grandchildren. Throughout his life and career, Reverend White has embodied his motto: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This guiding principle underscores his belief in treating others with fairness, kindness, and respect. 

Darren Tisdale

Mayor

Darren Tisdale became Kingstree’s mayor on January 4, 2016. He served as a councilmember representing District 3 before winning the town-wide election for mayor.

He was born here in Williamsburg County. His family ran the Red and White for years. Darren graduated from Kingstree Senior High in 1985. He worked with Santee Co-Op for over 19 years. Darren then bought and ran Tisdale’s produce, better known as the fruit stand. Darren currently owns and operates Williamsburg Lawn Care. He and his wife, Pam McKenzie Tisdale have 3 children. Bryant and his wife live in Oklahoma City. Cole is a US Marine and lives with his wife and child in Jacksonville, NC. His daughter DeAnna Tisdale is newly married. The Tisdale family is very involved in international missions. They have visited Serbia and Romania where they served in local churches and ministered directly to the leadership in each church.