BIRMINGHAM, AL (October 8, 2026) – SouthernCarolina Alliance (SCA) has been awarded USDA Rural Business Development Grant funding to support downtown revitalization efforts in two more of its communities, the City of Denmark and the Town of Estill.
Building on past partnerships with communities in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties, including Fairfax and Port Royal last year, the grant will fund SCA’s continued partnership with Downtown Strategies, a division of Retail Strategies.
“SouthernCarolina Alliance is pleased to lead this effort on behalf of our communities to strengthen downtown development, which is a key marketing tool in building true economic development and attracting industrial projects to our region. We appreciate the work that Downtown Strategies has done in partnership with SCA over the last few years, and we are grateful to USDA for continuing to fund these critical programs,” said Kathy Rhoad, SCA’s Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Each community will receive a custom Downtown Strategic Plan focused on practical, project-based recommendations that lead to quick wins and real results, while setting both communities up for long-term success. The process will include on-site Strategic Visioning Workshops in each community, scheduled for early 2027. Unlike a plan that sits on a shelf, both communities will also receive a full year of Implementation Support, with Downtown Strategies working alongside local leaders to put the plan’s recommendations into action.
“It is a privilege to continue supporting communities in South Carolina through our partnership with SouthernCarolina Alliance. Denmark and Estill join a growing number of towns in the region that are making a real difference in their community and economic development, and we are proud to be part of that work,” said Lacey Bacchus, Senior Director of Community Partnerships for Retail Strategies.
In addition, small business owners in both communities will receive specialized on-demand training to strengthen their operations. This online training module will focus on Business Modernization. The grant enables each community to benefit from this comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization, furthering SouthernCarolina Alliance’s mission of fostering economic development in the region.
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About Downtown Strategies
Downtown Strategies, a division of Retail Strategies, exists to provide realistic, implementable strategies to help communities revitalize their downtowns. Led by a team of former downtown revitalization practitioners and real estate experts, our combination of real-world experience and expertise in real estate and retail uniquely qualifies us to assist communities in backfilling vacancies, increasing tourism, and enhancing the sense of place in their downtowns. Serving rural communities in 27 states, Downtown Strategies is the leading national firm in downtown revitalization planning, with an emphasis on real estate and retail.
About Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies is the national expert in community development and retail economic development. Our mission is to provide the real estate expertise, tools, and human effort that position deserving towns as alluring locations for national businesses and destinations for tourism and quality-of-life amenities. We confidently pursue this mission by delivering unparalleled customer service as a unified team, drawing on unmatched real estate and community development expertise. Our activities yield returns in sales taxes, additional jobs, and businesses that enhance the unique qualities of your community.
