By: Natalie M. Zeigler
City Manager
Our community has many things to be proud of. We have a vibrant downtown that is constantly growing. We have a group of small business owners that continue to invest in our town. We have many tourist destinations that bring visitors from all over. We house corporations that invest in the area. However, our greatest asset is our people, and this has been recognized for the second time in our city’s history with the receipt of the 2016 All-America City designation. Since our first win, so much progress has been made in our community. This advancement is the direct impact and efforts of corporate citizens, individuals, community organizations, and our youth. All parties have come together to make our City an All-America City.
A group of 20 adults and 6 Hartsville teens traveled to Denver to present to judges about our city’s progress in problems relating to youth wellness and education. The presentation highlighted community members from various programs that were mentioned in the application. “Amazing Grace” played as our delegation illustrated our hardships and our growth of the City. The youth delegation used their various musical talents to tell our story and brought the audience and judges to tears ending the presentation.
Many partnerships were recognized in the application and presentation. There are far too many programs to list here that have had a hand in earning this title for the City. Sonoco, the Byerly Foundation, and the Community Foundation for a Better Hartsville serve as catalysts for making significant impacts in the lives of our youth particularly those in marginalized neighborhoods. Non-profit organizations in the community continue to put our youth first. From Carolina’s Kids ensuring that all children are clothed and fed, to Darlington County First Steps advancing early childhood development and empowering parents, to the PULSE (Partners for Unparalleled Local Scholastic Excellence) Initiative-made possible by a Sonoco grant for $5 million-improving our educational environment through partnerships with the Governor’s School and Coker College, to Cypress Adventures challenging students through outdoor experiential learning and mentorship opportunities, and so many more.
Our community is thankful for the diligent efforts of so many individuals that care to invest in this small town. We continue to strive for the very best for our youth. Knowing that we have further progress to be made, our community stands out as an All-America City because we honestly identify problems and come together to face those issues head-on. We know where we have been, and we know where we are going. Thank you to all for your efforts in making Hartsville an All-America City for the second time. May we continue to work together to live up to this honor.
Natalie Zeigler is the City Manager of Hartsville. For more information, call City Hall at 843-383-3015 or email info2@hartsvillesc.gov.