Publish Date
20th August 2025
Big news from last night’s City Council meeting (August 19, 2025): the North Main Corridor Improvement Project – Phase 2 is moving forward! This $1.3 million initiative, funded through state grant funds, will take place near Morris College and is being developed in partnership with the college to enhance the area surrounding the campus and improve a key entry point into the city.
- Key project features include:
- New sidewalks, curbs, and driveway entrances
- Milling and resurfacing of the roadway
- Decorative lighting and updated signage
- Landscaping with trees, shrubs, and irrigation
- A signature archway sign
The project contract was awarded to 3D Dirtworks, LLC, a local contractor in Sumter. This effort reflects a strong collaboration between the City of Sumter and Morris College, supporting neighborhood revitalization, pedestrian safety, and long-term economic growth.
- Key project features include:
- The 2025 Serve First Open marked the most prestigious international sports tourism event Sumter has ever hosted, putting the city firmly on the map for professional tennis and global sports.
- The tournament concluded on Sunday at the Palmetto Tennis Center
- The professional event attracted athletes, coaches, and spectators from over 30 different countries and was broadcast live on the Tennis Channel and in 11 different countries.
- The inaugural champions included Mattia Bellucci from Italy in the singles, and Ryan Seggarman/Patrik Trhac from USA in the doubles.
- Since December 2024, the City of Sumter has opened or made significant renovations to six different recreation facilities! They include:
- South Sumter Park
- South Sumter Art Park
- Bill Pinkney Park
- Memorial Park Playground
- Philip L. Edwards Tennis Complex
- Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway Swan Lake Trailhead
- And more to come this year!
- Construction for phase two of the Tuskegee Monument is underway!
- This second phase will include a life-size bronze sculpture of a Tuskegee Airman
- Also being constructed are story walls that highlight the contributions of South Carolina residents who served in various Tuskegee units.
- Construction is underway for the Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. Park
- Announced to honor former Mayor McElveen’s 20 years of service.
- Will be located off Broad Street near the Greenway and a new food truck court.
- Hurricane season officially began on June 1;
- Stay prepared all season long with the 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide
- This online booklet and other useful tools can be found at hurricane.sc
- Remember that early preparation can make all the difference in staying safe.
- Stay prepared all season long with the 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide
- We are pleased to announce the upcoming expansion of Water Plant 5, located right off of Wesmark Blvd.
- This is a major City of Sumter infrastructure improvement project set to be completed by mid-2027.
- This project will enhance water supply reliability and capacity for our entire community.
- While brief service interruptions or temporary discoloration may occur, please be assured that we are committed to minimizing disruptions and maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency for all customers.
- This is a major City of Sumter infrastructure improvement project set to be completed by mid-2027.
- The City’s Tire Buy Back event is coming up on September 27th, 2025, from 9 AM – 1 PM at the Sumter County Civic Center
- During this event, Sumter City and County residents can receive $2 for each tire brought in for recycling.
- This event is open to residents only and businesses are not permitted to participate.
- Limit 20 car tires per vehicle. No tires with rims, please.
- A valid SC ID will be required.
- Sponsored by Palmetto Pride and Walmart.
- For more information, call 803-305-5266.
- During this event, Sumter City and County residents can receive $2 for each tire brought in for recycling.
- Artwork applications for the Mayor’s Christmas Card Contest are now being accepted.
- Open to all Sumter public schools, entries must be submitted by 5 PM, Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
- Two grand prize winners will have their designs used for the official 2025 City of Sumter Christmas Card.
- For more information, go to sumtersc.gov.
- We’re continuing to remind our city roll cart customers to place their Handles toward the House!
- Because of our new side-loading trucks, we have changed the way roll carts need to be placed.
- If you have one of our new cans or an older one, your handle goes towards the house.
- When in Doubt, Remember: #HandlesTowardTheHouse
- The City of Sumter and SUATS—the Sumter Area Transportation Study are bringing significant safety upgrades and improvements on Bultman/Guignard Drive.
- This project is part of the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) 2025 Pavement Improvement Program. By the end of 2026, a 3.17-mile stretch from Broad to Neely will be repaved—plus new safety features, including:
- Brighter crosswalks, Clearer Lane markings, Concrete medians, and flashing pedestrian signals at Wactor and Oxford.
- The next Fourth Friday Concert Series event will take place on August 22nd
- Taking place from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at 141 N Main Street, in front of the Sumter County Courthouse.
- This FREE event features live music by Chris Taylor & The Rumor along with food trucks, cold beverages from Sertoma, and free books for kids courtesy of the Palmetto Optimist Club.
- Bring your chairs (no coolers, please) and enjoy a lively evening in downtown Sumter.
- Can't make it in August? We have one other awesome concert lined up on September 26.
- Taking place from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at 141 N Main Street, in front of the Sumter County Courthouse.
- Youth Take One, Make One Hunt at the Shaw Sumter Farm – next event is scheduled for September 20, 2025. Applications now being accepted at SumterSCyouth.com – for ages 10-17. This program is held in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). It emphasizes teaching safe and ethical hunting, the conservation and responsible use of our natural resources, and character education to students who have no previous outdoor hunting experience.
- We invite you to visit and attend a regular City Council meeting. Our meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Please note that there will be no meeting on the first Tuesday of July. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, September 2nd at 1:00 PM. If you can’t make a meeting, public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council representative anytime before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.