HONEA PATH, S.C. — This July marked one year since Mayor Jimmy Smith took office as Mayor of Honea Path, completing the remaining term of former Mayor Christopher Burton. During his first year in office, Mayor Smith has worked alongside Town Council, Town staff, local businesses, community organizations, and residents to move Honea Path forward through improvements in infrastructure, economic development, public safety, transparency, and community engagement.
Reflecting on the past year, Mayor Smith said the progress made has been possible because of the partnerships between Town leadership, employees, volunteers, businesses, and citizens who share a common vision for Honea Path’s future.
One of the most significant accomplishments during the past year has been the demolition and environmental cleanup of the historic Chiquola Mill site. After years of planning, work began to remove the former mill and prepare the property for future redevelopment. This transformational project is creating new opportunities for economic growth and investment in Honea Path.
The Town also completed the renovation of the municipal building, relocating the Town’s administrative offices back to Main Street. The renovated facility provides improved access to municipal services while bringing Town Hall back to the heart of the community.
Another major achievement was the opening of the Dogwood Park Open-Air Pavilion and the new pavilion at the Honea Path Recreation Center. These new public spaces have expanded opportunities for community events, outdoor recreation, concerts, festivals, private rentals, and the Town’s monthly Honea Path Farmers Market.
Economic development has remained a top priority throughout Mayor Smith’s first year. The Town has continued working with the contractor and developer on the future Bojangles restaurant, bringing new commercial investment and job opportunities to Honea Path. During the past year, the Town also celebrated several ribbon cuttings, welcoming new businesses and recognizing local investment, including Briarwood Bed & Breakfast, The Ruffled Feather, and Southern Cotton Coffee Shop. These businesses continue to strengthen downtown Honea Path while providing new opportunities for residents and visitors.
Mayor Smith also focused on strengthening Town leadership. During the past year, he appointed an Interim Town Administrator before appointing Larry Young as the Town’s permanent Town Administrator. He also appointed a new Chief of Police to lead the Honea Path Police Department and appointed Judge Darrell Green as the Town’s Municipal Court Judge.
Transparency and communication have been key priorities throughout Mayor Smith’s administration. The Town launched a new Transparency Center on its website, providing residents with convenient access to budgets, financial reports, ordinances, meeting agendas, minutes, and other public documents. A physical Transparency Center was also established inside Town Hall for residents who prefer to review documents in person.
The Town has also significantly expanded its communication efforts through social media, the Town website, news releases, and email updates. Residents now receive regular information about Town Council meetings, construction projects, utility work, public safety announcements, community events, parks and recreation programs, and other important Town news. These efforts have strengthened communication between Town Hall and the community while making local government more accessible and transparent.
Mayor Smith continues to encourage residents to stay engaged and share their ideas, emphasizing that communication is essential to good government.
“Serving as Mayor of Honea Path has been an honor,” Mayor Smith said. “I am grateful to the members of Town Council, our dedicated employees, local businesses, volunteers, community organizations, and our residents for their continued support. Together, we have accomplished a great deal during this first year, but our work is far from over. We will continue investing in our community, improving services, supporting economic development, and making Honea Path an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. My office has always been, and will continue to be, open to every citizen.”
As Mayor Smith begins his second year in office, the Town remains focused on infrastructure improvements, economic development, downtown revitalization, public safety, recreation, transparency, and preserving the hometown values that continue to make Honea Path a great place to call home.
