Improvements in the town of Honea Path hope to revitalize the downtown area, making it more inviting for residents and visitors alike.
To speed up the ongoing revitalization, the town has partnered with Empower Honea Path and the Main Street South Carolina mini-grant programs.
These programs are fac?ade improvement initiatives funded through the Municipal Association of South Carolina and local organizations that support historic downtown revitalization.
Ongoing revitalization efforts include restoring storefronts, adding new lighting, upgrading infrastructure, improving public spaces, and addressing abandoned properties through demolition.
In support of ongoing revitalization efforts, the following have been identified:
Sam Gilmer, digital media coordinator for Honea Path, said the collaboration with Anderson County has been instrumental in addressing the issue of deteriorating structures.
"The town of Honea Path is actively working on its second demolition list," Gilmer said. "This initiative aims to improve safety and aesthetics by removing these unsafe buildings, further contributing to revitalization efforts, as well as working toward attracting new businesses and revitalizing Main Street.
"While some phases will be completed in the near future, it will take many years of steady progress to bring the community to its fullest potential," Gilmer said.
Paving project on Main Street
The most recent improvements underway in Honea Path include the repaving of the back parking lot on Main Street, which began on August 4.
The total cost of the project was $9,500, made possible through a partnership between the Town of Honea Path, Empower Honea Path, and Main Street USA. This partnership will enhance safety, fix potholes, improve surfaces, and add proper parking space lines.
The back lot paving project has been in discussion for nearly five to six years, Gilmer said.
"Despite previous efforts, Honea Path has been unable to move it forward until now. Fortunately, timing, funding, and partnerships aligned to make it possible," Gilmer said.
"This project will significantly improve the safety, accessibility, and appearance of our downtown area," Gilmer said. "By addressing potholes, uneven surfaces, and the absence of clearly marked spaces, we’re creating a more welcoming and functional space for residents, visitors, and downtown businesses alike."
Additionally, the town recently introduced a new four-way stop sign at several intersections.
This safety improvement was made possible through a partnership between the Town of Honea Path, SCDOT, and the Anderson County Library.
According to Mayor Jimmy Smith, downtown improvements will continue with sealing and repainting parking spaces on the east side of North Main Street.
"Looking ahead, we are working to secure funding to remodel the old City Hall to relocate the town offices back into this historic building," Smith said. "In addition, we are collaborating with private investors and property owners to create a new event venue and attract more businesses to our downtown.
"For the future of Honea Path, our focus remains on thoughtful, controlled residential growth and strategic annexation efforts that will help drive business growth for both our established businesses and new ventures," Smith said.
Town of Honea Path: Downtown revitalization effort
According to Gilmer, the town of Honea Path's long-term vision for downtown is to have every storefront occupied with thriving businesses and return Town Hall operations to the historic municipal building.
"This project has been in planning for three to five years and is already underway, with fundraising efforts supporting both downtown improvements and community-wide enhancements," Gilmer said.
"Once Town Hall returns to the historic municipal building, we believe the increase in visitors will bring new energy and foot traffic to the heart of Honea Path," he said.
Downtown Honea Path 'a vibrant hub'
"Downtown Honea Path is on the verge of becoming a vibrant hub for both residents and visitors," Gilmer said. "We are committed to completing the steps necessary to make that vision a reality."
Downtown Honea Path is home to a wide range of businesses that help make it a vibrant and welcoming community.
Here are a few notable stores located in downtown Honea Path.
This fall, the town of Honea Path welcomes Southern Cotton Supply Company to 22 N. Main St. downtown, a new coffee shop that will also serve ice cream and showcase locally made goods.
"We’re excited to welcome a new coffee shop opening next month," Smith said.
Town of Honea Path: What to know
The town of Honea Path is known for its vibrant community events, including the Honea Path Fall Festival.
This annual celebration transforms Main Street into a hub of activity, featuring live music, local vendors, and family-friendly attractions that bring together residents and visitors alike.
According to Mayor Smith, the fall festival, produced by Empower Honea Path with assistance from the town, is "shaping up to be an exciting and large-scale event."
The festival will highlight the town's revitalization efforts, drawing attention to the newly improved downtown area with its enhanced infrastructure.
The event willtake place on the following dates and times.
The festival officially opens with a ceremony on Saturday at 10 a.m., kicking off a full day of activities, food, and entertainment for all ages.
Admission and parking are completely free, and all kids’ activities are provided at no cost thanks to local partners and sponsors.
Festival highlights include:
“This is one of the highlights of the year for Honea Path,” Smith said. “We’re excited to welcome families, neighbors, and visitors for a weekend that truly celebrates our community.”
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at .