Mighty Municipalities

Karl McCollester & Mark Partin

Join us as we discuss ways for small towns be more impactful for their citizens. Mark Partin from the City of Sumter and Karl McCollester from GovPossible talk with municipalities across the country to discover how they become a little bit mightier.

  1. 6 days ago

    Ep 13. MASC 2026 Conference Recap

    Topics:Mark and Karl recap the just-held 2026 Municipal Association of South Carolina Conference.   Conference schedule and format changesLegislative session updates and funding challengesCommunity growth strategies and public-private partnershipsWebsite ADA compliance and legal considerationsDifferent forms of municipal government and leadership rolesResources: Thirteen Ways to Kill Your Community by Doug Griffiths MASC Forms of Government Brochure ADA Website Compliance Guidelines Grants: 8/3 - HUD Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Program - $5m-$10m Decrease the cost and increase the supply of affordable housing, especially in Opportunity Zones and rural communities.  Remove barriers to affordable housing, 8/15 - Leary Firefighters Foundation Grant - $5k-$25k – FD training and equipment Find Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

  2. 6 Jul

    Ep.12 Using AI Safely In Your Small Town

    Topics: MIT AI Risk Initiative - Recent AI Data Incidents: 12/2025: ChatGPT misuse by a contractor leads to data exposure in Housing Program 1/2026: Moltbook database revealed private conversations 3/2026: Meta exposes collected data to unauthorized employees Steps You Can Take: Train Your Employees on the Risks of AICreate an approved software listCreate a Usage PolicyCreate an Incident Response PlanGrants: 7/7 - National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund - Underrepresented Communities Grant - $15k-$100k – Historic Site identification and Registration on National Register of Historic Places 7/8 - HRSA - Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - up to $750k for fours years to opiod treatment programs 7/9: NEA - GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS – Art Education and ‘Design & Our Town’ projects Challenge America Program - $10k General Grants – $10k-$100k 7/13 - Consumer Protection – Pool Safety Program - $50k-$400k around poll safety and enforcement 7/13: GA Municipalities – GA Releaf grant - $15k to urban tree plantings 7/29: DOJ – COPS Hiring Program - up to $125k over three years, 25% match, Law enforcement hiring  7/31: NY Municipalities – Grants for Climate Action  - $35k-$2m for climate change mitigation (flood control, renewal energy)  Find Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

  3. 22 Jun

    Ep 11 - Beating the Heat

    Topics:' Heat mitigation strategies for small municipalitiesCommunity-based cooling solutions and facilitiesInfrastructure improvements for heat reductionGrant opportunities for heat resilience projectsRole of community organizations and local government in heat safetyTakeaways Identify natural cool zones and existing infrastructure to maximize resources.Engage community organizations and residents in heat mitigation planning.Leverage grants and partnerships to fund infrastructure and community programs.Use existing facilities like council chambers and shade structures for cooling centers.Implement neighborhood surveys to identify vulnerable populations and resources.See the full article at: https://govpossible.com/2026/06/21/beating-the-heat-practical-steps-for-small-towns/ Resources: Misting and shade shelter construction videos and options: links to various YouTube videos from manufacturers and how-to sites on shade canopies and misting solutions.Neighborhood Heat Safety Survey: Survey sheet to collect data in the Neighborhoods.Town Temperature Survey – Spreadsheet to collect data at various town locations to identify your hot and cool areas.Cooling Center Survey Worksheet – PDF you can use to collect information about a potential cooling center.Cooling Center Inventory Spreadsheet – spreadsheet to compile your cooling center information so you have one spot to look at in and emergency.Govlove Podcast – Tempe AZ 2/2025 - https://elgl.org/podcast-urban-cooling-and-climate-action-with-brianne-fisher-tempe-az/  Grants: 7/1: National – Tomberg Family Foundation: $5-20k: https://www.tombergphilanthropies.org/how-to-apply/  Health, environment, and poverty alleviation 7/7: NJ: 200-350k: Resilient NJ: Regional Assistance Program https://dep.nj.gov/grantandloanprograms/resilient-nj-regional-assistance-program-regional-planning-grants-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  7/10: National: Roy Hunt Foundation Opportunity and Inclusion: ~$50k: https://rahuntfdn.org/opportunity-and-inclusion-giving-circle/  Minority Entrepreneurship, Health Outcomes, Fresh Food access, Leadership Programs 7/11 - Deadline for SC Farmers and Foresters: Helene Block Grant: https://agriculture.sc.gov/farm-and-business-support/grants/helene/ Rolling NC, SC, OH, IN, KY, FL: Duke Energy Grants: https://foundation.duke-energy.com/grants  Resiliency and Economic Opportunity 7/22: Silicon Valley: ~$500k – SVCE grant applications: https://cal-cca.org/3-2-million-in-grant-funds-available-for-energy-resilience-facility-and-fleet-electrification/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  Find Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.  Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: GXB51HN0WHHT3OMI

  4. 10 Jun

    Ep 10. Employee Wellness with Nature at Work

    Topics:This episode explores how small municipalities can enhance community well-being through nature-based programs like 'Nature at Work'. Guests discuss the benefits, implementation strategies, and funding opportunities for green initiatives that improve employee health, community engagement, and local tourism. Chapters:00:00Introduction to Mighty Municipalities 00:58Workplace Health and Happiness 02:17Nature at Work Program Overview 04:58Pillars of the Nature at Work Program 07:27City of Sumter's Initiatives 10:05Community Engagement and Feedback 12:46Scaling for Small Municipalities 15:12Leveraging Local Resources 17:22Grants and Funding Opportunities 19:57Conclusion and Future Discussions Links: Nature at Work Resources – Nature at Work Grants: 6/4: California Urban Greening Grant: https://resources.ca.gov/grants/urban-greening: $200k -> $5m Projects to mitigate urban heat 6/8: CDC Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) grant: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/7859e970-00ec-4f1c-987c-d2d7c0e66415 - up to $75k for opioid and methamphetamines misuse reduction programs 6/22: USDOT: Pipeline Emergency Response Grant: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/be39f3eb-7382-4327-ac46-9397e3b8c502 $50k-$200k 6/23: National Park Service: Historic Preservation Fund Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/449cd5d1-d543-4ea0-807a-cf55e54ed823  $200k-$500k restoration of properties eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  Towns under 5000 population are specified as an eligible group and cities under 50k not part of a larger metro. 6/26: Preapplication deadline: Undiscovered SC Grants - https://www.scprt.com/tourism/grants/undiscovered-sc-grant Municipalities with less than 1.25m in Accommodations tax distributions. 50% reimbursement grant up to $200k for improvements or creation of public tourism attractions. Find Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

  5. 26 May

    Ep 9. - Battling Food Insecurity with the Town of Lamar, SC

    Topics:Karl & Mark talk about food insecurity and what municipalities can do to help.   We interview Tim Dargan, the Town Administrator of Lamar, SC, population 832, about the food giveaway program they've been running in cooperation with local organizations for over five years and their lessons learned.  Numbers: 13% nationally face food insecurity15.9% in rural communities 86% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South 86% of counties with the highest food insecurity are rural (Feeding America) Several SC Counties reach 20% food insecurity levels (Feeding America) Telfair County GA is the highest in the three-state region: 23.1% Links Rural Health Initiative  Hospital Food PantrySocastee Library PantryUSDA Summer Food ProgramBlack Mountain NC Senior CenterSC Farmers Market GuidelinesGrants 6/6: USDA Farmers Market Promotion ProgramRolling: USDA Community Facilities Grant & Loan ProgramMASC Impact FundFind Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

  6. 27 Apr

    Ep8 - Dealing with Drought in Your Municipality

    Topics: Drought Management Currently in Moderate Drought in SC: Stage 1 Drought Declared; City of Camden Urges Voluntary Water Conservation - Experience Camden, South Carolina Statewide Moderate Drought  http://www.scdrought.com/index.html  Next state commission meeting 4.30 What Cities can do during a drought, by stateNC – Municipalities can operate autonomously GA – Governed by state Municipality must obtain permit to draw water Georgia Groundwater Use Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 12-5-90 (1972) Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) enacts statewide drought mandates, municipalities must comply Municipality can declare stricter regulations SC - Governed by state Title 49, Section 23: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t49c023.php  Must create a plan and ordinance that conform to drought levels set Drought levels set by regional commitees in coordination with the statewide committee May take action based on the levels as allowed by local ordinance Sumter Ordinance: https://library.municode.com/sc/sumter/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH98UT_ARTIIWA_DIV4SHDR May take action automatically based on drought management plans filed with DNR Allow more local options to declare based on system levels. Most ordinances seem to standardize on a proclamation required by council State Model plan & ordinance: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Drought/model_drought_plan.doc  Interstate ImpactsDrought Mgmt Strategies Water Conservation Strategies for Municipalities Confronting Drought - Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) (Matt) MASC Drought mgmt article: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/06-2017/what-do-when-water-becomes-scarce Grants  6/15: Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust ($5k-$25k): https://smithht.org/grant-seekers creation, development, preservation, and maintenance of gardens accessible to the public  5/26: HUD Housing Counseling Program Grant ($1-$3m) https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/0e956335-bab1-4282-81cd-3a56591ffd70 establish/fund housing counseling in your community 5/1: Hart Family Fund for Small Towns ($2500-$15k): preservation projects: https://savingplaces.org/hart-family-fund  (Reminder) 5/7: The FY2026 Federal Historic Preservation Grants https://scdah.sc.gov/historic-preservation/programs/grants/federal-grants    Find Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

  7. 14 Apr

    Ep7 - Business Licensing

    Topics: Business Licensing  What it is by state GA – Occupational Tax – only on businesses with physical presence. NC – Business registration – flat with max set by state SC – Business License Revenue versus Regulation Top Questions  Insurance Agencies vs Brokers Peddlers - Forest Acres Peddlers OrdinanceRoadside Food (DHEC)Entrepreneurial Options  Prepared Food/Popcorn/Coffee/Sno-cones (roadside food p.2) Home-Based Food Production Mowing/Raking/Lawn Aeration Car Wash/Detailing Lot Cleaning/Clearing Knife Sharpening Pressure Washing Painting Economic Development  Mapping/Business Listing Forecasting Resiliency & Health Inter-Department Communication Grants  HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Supplemental / Special NOFOs (select rounds) — April 23, 2026 local competition deadlines. Municipalities often apply or partner for homelessness and housing initiatives. https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) – Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program — May 14, 2026. Funds urban greening, stormwater, and habitat restoration projects with strong municipal involvement. Grants seek to address water quality issues in priority watersheds, such as erosion due to unstable stream banks, pollution from stormwater runoff, and degraded shorelines caused by development. https://www.nfwf.org/programs/five-star-program?activeTab=tab-2 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) – Area Development Grants (cycle deadlines vary by state) — many late April–early May 2026 submission cutoffs for local infrastructure and economic development.  https://www.arc.gov/grants-and-opportunities/area-development-program/ https://scprt.widen.net/s/fvbgp66gtk/fy25-pard-guidelines_20241120  SC Contact: Barry ButlerFind Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

  8. 30 Mar

    Ep6 - Municipal Recruitment & Incentives of Remote Workers

    In this episode Mark Partin and Karl McCollester explore innovative recruitment packages by municipalities, focusing on attracting remote workers and leveraging natural resources. We discuss examples from West Virginia, Folly Beach, SC, Cheraw, SC, and McPherson, KS, highlighting strategies that don't rely solely on financial incentives but also community engagement and quality of life improvements. Topics: Small Town Recruitment Recruitment incentives to relocate for remote work These 5 US states will pay you to move there—and one even has a $23,000 relocation package\ Recruitment incentives including housing allowances for public safety personnel: Housing stipends for Folly Beach police, fire could expand Cheraw: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/06-2025/cheraw-makes-its-case-attract-remote-workers  https://www.makemymove.com  Grants  5/11/2026 ($350k): National Endowment for the Humanities Collections Stewardship grant: https://www.neh.gov/program/collections-stewardship https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/0dde865e-f4ba-4b19-8e14-b5b86cb7ccdc 4/30: ($200k) Knight Cities Challenge Grants https://knightfoundation.org/knight-cities-challenge  Find Us:Mark Partin is Chief of Staff for the City of Sumter (https://sumtersc,gov).  Subscribe and Find more of Mark's Local Government Leadership Thoughts at https://localleadershipinsights.substack.com/ Karl McCollester spent 20 year in strategic technology consulting for small municipalities in the Carolinas and George.  He is the CEO of GovPossible. GovPossible (https://govpossible.com) is a Public Benefit Corporation that provides software to help small municipalities manage their operations including finance, budget, licensing, permitting, planning, codes enforcement, cemetery, meetings, and website.

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About

Join us as we discuss ways for small towns be more impactful for their citizens. Mark Partin from the City of Sumter and Karl McCollester from GovPossible talk with municipalities across the country to discover how they become a little bit mightier.

Information

  • Creator
    Karl McCollester & Mark Partin
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 GovPossible PBC
  • Show Website
    Mighty Municipalities