Mobile Home Sales in Mayesville, SC

Nathan Reed (Photo: NCC)

Nathan Reed, cotton producer from Marianna, AR, was re-elected chairman of the American Cotton Producers (ACP) of the National Cotton Council (NCC) for 2023, during the NCC’s recent Annual Meeting.

Reed served in that position in 2022 after serving as an ACP vice chairman, and he has and continues to serve on multiple ACP committees. He also is a NCC director, serves on various NCC committees and task forces, and currently chairs the NCC’s Farm Program & Economic Policy Committee.

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Elected as ACP vice chairmen were Adam Hatley, Mesa, AZ; Doyle Schniers, San Angelo, TX; and Matt Coley, Vienna, GA.

Jon Whatley, Odem, TX, was elected as a producer director representing the Southwest. Re-elected as ACP producer directors were David Dunlow, Gaston, NC (Southeast); Patrick Johnson, Tunica, MS (Mid-South); and Gary Martin, Firebaugh, CA (Far West). Reed also will serve as the ACP’s at-large director.

Serving as ACP state producer chairmen in 2023 will be:

Alabama – Nick McMichen, Centre, and Shep Morris, Sr., Shorter

Arizona – Jerry Rovey and K.C. Gingg, both of Buckeye

Arkansas – Matt Hyneman, Jonesboro

California – Bryan Bone, Bakersfield

Florida – Nick Marshall, Baker

Georgia – Lee Cromley, Brooklet, and Chad Mathis, Jr., Arlington

Kansas – Stuart Briggeman, Pratt, and Dan Metz, Oxford

Louisiana – Heath Herring, St. Joseph, and Jason Condrey, Lake Providence

Mississippi – Ted Kendall, IV, Bolton

Missouri/Illinois – Steve Droke, Hornersville, MO

New Mexico – Dean Calvani, Carlsbad

North Carolina – Brad Warren, Faison, and Kent Smith, Rocky Mount

Oklahoma – Mark Nichols, Altus, and Phil Bohl, Faxon

South Carolina – James Johnson, Mayesville, and Daniel Baxley, Dillon

Tennessee/Kentucky – Jason Luckey, Humboldt, TN, and Bill Walker, Somerville, TN

Texas – Martin Stoerner, Lockney; Richard Gaona, Roby; and Stacy Smith, Wilson

Virginia – J.W. Jones, Windsor.

Based on information provided by the National Cotton Council

The projects are a major step forward for the rural Sumter County town, according to the mayor.

SUMTER, S.C. — After more than a year of work, the day is finally near.

Mayesville's new historic museum featuring a deli, gift shop and health center is almost completed.

Four new apartments are already done.

"Excitement is the least word that we could say," Mayor Jereleen Miller said. "We've been excited since day one just to come up and plan to bring economics to the town of Mayesville, and bring it back to the history that it once was."

The projects are a major step forward for the rural Sumter County town, according to Miller who led the effort.

RELATED: Mayesville festival cancelled another year as virus remains a concern

"The small town such as Maysville, we’re not the only one, we’re starving for economics and the only way we have to bring economics, we have to be creative, think outside of the box," Miller said. "My great aunt Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune said use what you have in your hand…and Maysville has such rich history…That’s what we’re doing, using what we have.”

Dr. Bethune grew up in Mayesville becoming a world-renowned educator and civil rights leader.

RELATED: Remembering Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights trailblazer

Her story is one of many used in the museum to describe the town that once was and what it hopes to be.

"Tourism is a big market in South Carolina and Mayesville can sit right in the middle of it," Miller said. "It's just the beginning. There are more to come. We just have to work together and make the town great again.”

The projects were funded in part by grants and the Penny for Progress.

The official opening is Friday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. downtown at 35 N. Main Street.

The following video is from a previous story.

The funds help with things like public health, lost revenue and infrastructure - a big boost for rural communities like Pinewood with fewer resources.

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Communities across the country have been receiving their share of billions from the American Rescue Plan.

The funds help with things like public health, lost revenue and infrastructure - a big boost for rural communities like Pinewood with fewer resources.

"We were allocated $265 thousand," Pinewood Mayor Jack Spann said. "The wells effect receiving water in your home.... We were able to take that money and actually refurbish the entire well. It’s pretty much a brand new well as we look at it now. So, that money came in handy…. So, we were so happy to receive those funds.”

RELATED: Meet Sumter County's new school superintendent, Dr. William Wright

Other Pinewood projects include repairs to waterlines and sewage systems within the town.

One of Pinewood's wells.

"It was a game changer for us because we're sitting around in our meetings trying to figure out how we’re going to rob Peter to pay Paul," Spann said.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, communities across the state face infrastructure challenges from aging water lines and bridges to roads in need of repair.

RELATED: Discussions continue on spending of $80M in federal funds for Richland County

Other Midland communities continue discussions on how to spend their allocations.

Richland County expects roughly $80 million, Lexington County expects nearly $60 million and Sumter County expects roughly $20 million.

Mayesville, a small town in Sumter County, expects roughly $200 thousand, according to Mayor Jereleen Miller, who says they're considering projects to improve quality of life and attract tourists.

"This money definitely will make a difference in the town of Mayesville," Mayor Miller said. "Whatever we decide that we want to use the money for."

RELATED: Two more Sumter School District officials to leave at end of school year

While additional funding will be needed to continue infrastructure improvements in Pinewood and beyond, Jonique Toney, who works in Pinewood, said the funds are a step in the right direction.

"Feel like it's good for the little town of Pinewood," Toney said.

The 11-foot, 3-ton statue of the civil rights leader will be the first of its kind in the nation's capitol.

MAYESVILLE, S.C. — Sumter County celebrated one of its own Friday, Mary McLeod Bethune, in the town of Mayesville. Her statue will be the first African American woman to be represented in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

Bethune, the daughter of two freed slaves, is known as a civil rights leader, an education advocate and leader in the Black community. She's often referred to as the "Mother of Struggle".

RELATED: SC Supreme Court says state law on removing statues stands, but throws out key part of it

It’s the first time an African American woman is going to be represented in statue form by the state of Florida in the U.S. Capitol.

Bethune’s statue is making the trip from Florida to Washington D.C., where it will replace a confederate General, representing Florida—where Bethune founded Bethune-Cookman University.

Dozens of locals celebrated the history of a woman whose legacy stands firm in the 11-foot, 3-ton marble statue.

Her legacy can also seen throughout the town where the Mary McLeod Bethune Learning Center and Art Gallery and the Mary McLeod Bethune History Museum is dedicated after her.

Mayesville resident Shameka Benjamin-Hamlin said she's excited for the statue to help educate others on Bethune's legacy. "Everyone else can experience the love and get to know more about Mary McLoed Bethune, as well as learn, if you haven’t learned, to learn more about our hero," said Benjamin-Hamlin.

@Reporter_RRipp and I are here in #Mayesville SC where the statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is making a stop before it continues its journey to Washington D.C. SC Congressman Jim Clyburn is among the attendees. @WLTX pic.twitter.com/vfdFd8Yl94

— Becky Budds (@BeckyBuddstv) December 17, 2021

South Carolina Congressman James E. Clyburn was also in attendance. "I think that this statue, the symbolism of it, demonstrates to young people what education can do in one’s life," said Clyburn.

Growing up, civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune was one of my mother's greatest heroes.It was an honor to welcome Dr. Bethune's statue to her hometown of Mayesville, SC today as it makes its way to the U.S. Capitol to join the National Statuary Hall Collection. pic.twitter.com/LNy0ujG4uP

— James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) December 17, 2021

President of the Lee County National Council of Negro Women Merdis Bryant said Bethune is a role model at the organization. "We at the Lee County section love her, and we just wanted to be here to recognize and be in the presence of the statue being unveiled of her," said Bryant.

Nine other states are following suit by replacing confederate general statues.

"Having broken through the ceiling, and the fact that Arkansas has now followed suit, Virginia has followed suit," said Clyburn.

Cynthia Massingill has been re-elected to Mayesville Town Council. Mayor Jereleen Miller hopes the council will push for progress while preserving history.

MAYESVILLE, S.C. — The Town of Mayesville has elected Cynthia Massingill to serve on town council. Massingill previously served on the council, but stepped down in December. She ran again in yesterday’s special election, and won.

"Oh, I got to do something about this!" Mayesville Mayor Jereleen Miller remembers thinking when she didn’t notice much change after visiting her hometown of Mayesville in the 90s.

Miller had moved away to Orangeburg, but came back to bring progress to the area.

"The town of Mayesville is a diamond in the rough," Miller shares. "So we want to share all of that, to any and everyone that wants to come to the town of Mayesville."

"She’s served as mayor since 2007, working with three councilmembers to try and revitalize the area. In 2021, Miller opened a museum and a medical center. Next up is an amphitheater and multi-purpose facility, which Miller tells me she already had grant funding secured for.

"I want to keep the relic look of the town and we have found some new historic stores that have been hidden and we want to bring them to the forefront so we can expand more of the history," Miller explains.

The buildings were hidden in trees, but were discovered recently after clearing the brush. Miller says these new additions will be tourist attractions.

"When the tourists come into the town we just don't want them to blink and leave out. We want them to spend some time here in the town and their money because that's what it's all about," Miller explains. "Come to Mayesville and spend money and yet learn about the rich history of Mayesville."

While increasing tourism is a goal, Miller tells me listening to what residents want is crucial.

"They've asked for several things and most of our locals would like grocery stores and convenience stores," Miller says. "That's one of the things that they really ask for because we only have one store, which is Exxon station, and it has a convenient part to it. But they want a variety and that’s understood. We know that."

"A Dollar General, something should be in this town," Sumter resident Teresa Wells shares. "It's enough people in here to have that."

Wells passes through Mayesville each day on her way to work. Wells believes Miller’s revitalization efforts are a good start.

"It could thrive if you know if everybody get on board with it," Wells says. "Yeah, it will thrive because it's so much richness here in Mayesville."

Miller will work with the newly elected Massingill and Councilwoman Roteshia Benjamin. There will also be another special election in July for a third position open on the council after Erickson Jackson passed away earlier this month.

"It’s a council that works together. And it has to be a council that works together," Miller says. "We can't be divided if we want to grow."