21 graduate from Leadership Hartsville
The Leadership Hartsville 2022 graduating class poses for a group photo. More coverage, page A5. PHOTO COURTESY HARTSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Twenty-one people have graduated from the Leadership Hartsville 2022 course, representing large local industries, nonprofits, local government and small businesses.
They kicked off their nine-month program at Hartsville Country Club in the fall. Throughout the course, they toured various industries in Darlington County, heard from nonprofit leaders, city government officials, education personnel.
They also toured Darlington Raceway, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, the Hartsville Fire Department and the Darlington County Detention Center.
They chose a project called Operation 5-6, which started with a vision for the class to be a leader in the beautification process of south Hartsville.
They agreed that the primary entry sign to the City of Hartsville at 5th and 6th Streets was overgrown and in need of modernization.
After a few conversations with the city manager and Hartsville Streets and Grounds manager, they learned that at one time there were four entry signs throughout the city.
They looked over the remaining signs and found that the sign at 5th and Ruby had also been subject to wear and beautification challenges, while the signs at Coker Farms and the traffic roundabout had been removed entirely.
What started as a vision to be a catalyst for change in south Hartsville grew into a project that the class believes will improve the first impression of Hartsville, and result in improvements that the class, the citizens of Hartsville and visitors to the city will take pride in.
Major sponsors included Duke Energy (top sponsor), Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Butler Heritage Foundation, Nucor Steel, Novolex, Black Creek Arts Council and SPC Credit Union (second-highest level).
Funds raised by Leadership Hartsville will go toward the sign at 5th and 6th Streets.
The city is taking over the project at this point, although several class members are employed by the city and will help maintain contact with the city on the project.
