Boards & Committees

Committee Chairs

Downtown Revitalization Board

Hubert D. Osteen Jr. - Chairman
Emma R. Singleton - Vice-Chairman
Angus McDuffie
Delores Green
Deron McCormick
Gary Mixon
George McGregor
Grier U. Blackwelder
Harold Nixon
Howie Owens
Jack Osteen
Jay Cox
Jay Davis
John Jackson
Neal Crotts
Robert Smith
Shelly Galloway
Susan Wild  

Promotions Committee

The Downtown Promotions Committee is comprised of volunteers from the Sumter community. The committee's primary responsibility is to develop and assist in the implementation of promotional events in the downtown central business district. Promotions include the very popular "Sumter @ Six" and "Friday's At The Plaza" outdoor concert series, numerous street festivals such as the "Sumter/Shaw StreetFest", "Halloween on Main", and our new event "Microwbrew Festival."

The promotions committee is also responsible for assisting in the promotion of the ongoing revitalization activities of Downtown Sumter and coordinating joint promotions among merchants such as "Oktoberfest" and "Dracula". Other activities include Opera House concerts and the promotion and coordination of cultural activities in the downtown area.

Committee Members

Susan Wild - Promotion Chair
Ann D. August
Bill Bultman
Colette Daniels
Danielle Thompson
Debra Greene
Don Florence
Holly Chase
Howie Owens
Kirk Jeffcoat
Leigh Newman
Lynn Kennedy
Lynn Wright
Mary Jones
Mary Sheridan
Misty Hatfield
Rose Ford
Shelly Galloway
Tiffany Rembert
Todd Touchberry
Tracie Waller 

Downtown Design Committee

The Downtown Design Committee is made up of local architects, interior designers and other interested volunteers from the community that are committed to improving the appearance of Downtown Sumter. The committee primary purpose is to serve in an advisory role in the creation of an attractive, coordinated and quality image in Downtown Sumter by capitalizing on its unique assets and heritage.

Recent activities of the Design Committee include the streetscape project, parking lot renovations, the façade grant program and assistance in reviewing buildings to determine compliance with the Downtown Appearance and Maintenance Codes.

Committee Members

Al Harris
Howie Owens
Jay Stutz
John Acken
John Jackson
Julie Coker
Lorin Palmer
Meredith Drakeford
Nicole Norris
Scott Bell

Economic Restructuring Committee

The Economic Restructuring Committee consists of volunteers from the Sumter business and financial community. The committee works to develop a market strategy that will help achieve an improved retail mix, a stronger tax base, increased investor confidence and a stable role for downtown as a major component of Sumter's economy.

Currently the committee is involved in the re-development of the former Brody Department Store building and recruiting retailers to available properties in Downtown Sumter.

Committee Members

Art Bradham
Bill Smith
Jack Osteen
John Acken
Melissa White
Stephen Deschamps
Talmadge Tobias
Tony Barwick

Organization Committee/Main Street Society

The Organization Committee plays a key role in attracting people and money to the downtown revitalization efforts. It is responsible for getting volunteers and other interested parties working towards the same goal and building consensus and cooperation.

The Organization Committee is also charged with promoting the revitalization process and making sure that members of the community know, understand, and appreciate the work in mission of downtown revitalization. This is accomplished through news letters, presentations to civic groups and displays at various community events.

Committee Members

Neal Crotts - Chair
Barbara Burchstead
Beth Jackson
Dotty Kolb
Hugh China
Howie Owens
Kay Rhoads
Linda Nock
Lucy Wilson
Powell Black
Scott Bell
Stan DuBose
Sue McDuffie
Susan Allen