The City of Hartsville has officially launched its two-year Project Hometown initiative, a strategic community storytelling and branding effort designed to strengthen Hartsville’s identity, support workforce development, and encourage long-term population retention and growth.

This week, the City of Hartsville welcomed Phil Eich of Storyville for the first of several visits as part of the Project Hometown Grant program. The initiative is made possible through a partnership with Main Street South Carolina and focuses on uncovering and amplifying the authentic story of Hartsville, told through the voices of the people who live, work, and serve here every day.

Telling Hartsville’s Story From the Inside Out

Project Hometown is more than a marketing campaign. It is a comprehensive, research-based process that gathers input from residents, business owners, educators, workforce leaders, and community stakeholders to better understand:

What makes Hartsville unique
Why people choose to live and work here
What encourages young professionals and families to stay
How the community can position itself for sustainable growth

Throughout the two-year initiative, the Storyville team will conduct interviews, focus groups, and community conversations to identify shared themes and define characteristics that shape Hartsville’s identity.

“This is about discovering who we are and telling that story in a way that attracts opportunity while honoring our roots,” city leaders shared during the visit.

Supporting Workforce & Long-Term Growth

A major goal of Project Hometown is workforce support and retention. By strengthening Hartsville’s community narrative, the City of Hartsville aims to:

Help local employers attract and retain talent
Promote Hartsville as a place to build a career and raise a family
Align messaging across tourism, economic development, and downtown revitalization
Create tools and strategies that position the City of Hartsville for long-term population stability and growth

Community members including Murphy Monk, Dr. Alvin Heatly, Tracy Redfearn, Curtis Lee, Sheila Squire, and others participated in conversations during this first visit, offering valuable insight into Hartsville’s character, history, and future aspirations.

A Community-Driven Future

The energy and engagement during this first session reflects the deep pride residents have in Hartsville. From its strong educational institutions and thriving downtown to its cultural assets and small-town hospitality, Hartsville’s story is one of resilience, partnership, and forward momentum.

This initial visit marks just the beginning. Over the next two years, additional sessions and community touchpoints will continue shaping a unified message that represents Hartsville authentically and strategically.

The City of Hartsville extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who participated and shared their perspective.

Big things are ahead for Hartsville, and we’re just getting started.