Not only has the facility hosted impressive corporate clients and rekindled interest in Newberry's downtown that the Opera House lit, but it may now be a model for other cities in South Carolina and even Europe.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Shacker presented a PowerPoint presentation on the restoration at a state Development Association meeting in Myrtle Beach.
From Shacker's presentation, Newberry won the South Carolina Community Development Association “Award of Excellence“ for the Firehouse restoration.
Shacker's presentation was such a hit that before he reached his seat, a representative from another town asked for his PowerPoint CD.
“It was an excellent presentation,“ said Valeria Jackson of the South Carolina Community Development Association. “I think a lot of people who saw the presentation were super-excited about it and were really rearing to go back to their communities and their towns and try to implement it and that's what you want when you have an award of excellence.“
The project was within phase two of the city's plan to breathe life back into Newberry's downtown.
The once derelict 1890's firehouse that sat quiet for two decades, is now swankily fit for corporate-style hosting.
In the first six months of its opening, the facility was rented 62 times. Notable clients include Home Depot, Piggly Wiggly, BB&T and the Farm Bureau.
Add to their stays, city growth through on-site catering by local restaurants and booked hotel rooms.
“The use of a meeting facility that is an economic development catalyst for a small town in South Carolina is a very unique approach,“ said Jackson.
Mayor Ed Kyzer said representatives from Newberry's sister city in Germany saw the project when they visited last year and built a similar project when they returned home.
Jackson says she was also impressed with the range of public and private funding support for the project.
“Again, that's the type of project you want to become the award of excellence,“ she said.
The restoration cost approximately $2.3 million and includes a 2,200 square foot banquet room, four breakout rooms, a boardroom, an outdoor courtyard with connections to the Opera House, catering facilities and new audio-visual systems.
“Thank you all for saving another old building,“ Kyzer told the council.
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