Roberta Hamby named Envision Williamston Executive Director

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Roberta Barrs Hamby Agrees To Step In And Becomes Envision Williamston’s New Part Time Executive Director.
Envision Williamston has seen some substantial changes in the past few years. With Covid bringing everything, everywhere to a standstill, the program also stalled.
Then with the budget for the program being cut in half, that eliminated the position of Executive Director and made the future of the program very uncertain.
Roberta Hamby, who was the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, stepped up and volunteered to make sure the program could continue. Roberta has been with the program since it began in 2014 as the Main Street program. She has been quoted several times as saying that she believes in this program and all the benefits that it offers the Town of Williamston. Roberta volunteered countless hours to the program to ensure that it would survive. Hamby spearheaded the largest undertaking that Envision Williamston has ever attempted with the Williamston’s Winter Wonderland Event in November. The event was a huge success and the Board met and decided that they wanted to ask Hamby if she would consider staying on, as a paid Part Time Executive Director.

Roberta and her husband Mike moved to the Williamston area in 1994 to get their two daughters in the award-winning District one schools. Roberta, who has been a Realtor since 1992, opened her own real estate company, Palmetto Properties Real Estate, Inc. here in Williamston in 2002. Roberta agreed to accept the Executive Director position with the understanding that it will only be part time because she will continue her real estate career full time.
On December 1, Hamby resigned her position as Vice Chair on the Envision Williamston Board of Directors and stepped into the role as Executive Director for Envision Williamston. Hamby says, ” I Love This Town and the People Here and I Look Very Forward To Helping the Town Grow and Be the Very Best That It Can Be.”
And Since Many People Have Asked What Exactly Is Envision Williamston, I Thought Now Would Be A Great Time To Tell You A Little About Who We Are and What We Do:

What is Envision Williamston?
Envision Williamston began in 2014 as Main Street Williamston, a nonprofit designed to stimulate economic growth and community relations and engagement.
We are not a government agency and have no voice in the politics and policies of the Town of Williamston.
We do, however, fully support the Mayor and Council, as we all strive to make Williamston the very best that it can be.
Our goal, as a nonprofit, is to be a voice for the People and the Town. We can apply for grants both locally and federally that are only available to nonprofits organizations, for the benefit of our town.

We have been involved in some major projects and improvements in our town since Envision Williamston was created. We have seen electronic billboard sign, way finding signage, rest areas, Bobbers on Big Creek event, prayer vigils, banners down Main Street and murals, just to name a few of our projects.

Our most successful project to date was our Williamston’s Winter Wonderland event that we co-sponsored with the Town of Williamston in late November 2021. This event was a huge success, and we hope to expand on the event and make it even bigger and better each year. We are already in the planning stages for the 2022 event.

We currently have a full active and working Board of Directors and now Roberta B. Hamby, as the Part Time Executive Director. Our impressive Board of Directors include Dr. Marion Williams – Chairman, Rene Pressley- Treasurer, Wendy Burgess – Secretary, David Meade, Faye Meares, Tony Taylor, Melanie Dugan, Roderrick Houston, Miriam Church, Will Smythe, Ex Officio Members, Rockey Burgess- Williamston Mayor, Chris Alexander- Williamston Ward 4 Council and Carolann Newton- PBA Chair.

A lot of you know me personally and know how to get in touch with me, but I can also be reached on the Envision Williamston Facebook page, and at EWBoardMembers@gmail.com, or by scheduled appointment at the Envision Williamston Town Hall office at (864) 847-7473. I would love to see you and hear from you.
Our plans for the future are to continue on with all of the events that we have previously sponsored or co-sponsored, as well as to add at least one more Town wide event, hopefully it will be as well received as the Winter Wonderland event, for all the Town and surrounding areas. Details should be made public soon on this new event and we welcome feedback, ideas, sponsors and volunteers.
We are thankful for anyone who has any time that they would like to volunteer to help us make Williamston the very best that it can be. We have Volunteer applications available, upon request.
Envision Williamston welcomes ideas and thoughts from the people of the community. This is YOUR town, and we are grateful that you allow us to do our best to make improvements and growth happen here, on your behalf.
Envision Williamston will continue to ‘Envision’ All That Our Great Town Can Be….

Facade Improvement Program
Envision Williamston is happy to announce that $6,000 in funds are available which can be applied for by local businesses in Williamston beginning January 15, 2022 to improve the facades. Applications will be accepted from January 15 – April 30. The Facade Improvement Program is intended to stimulate improvements to the exterior of commercial buildings within the Town of Williamston. The program provides financial assistance (with matching owners funds) to commercial property owners and business owners within the Town limits of Williamston. The purpose is to support the revitalization of the Towns, commercial corridors by stimulating private investments in high quality improvements that enhance the appearance of buildings and properties and eliminate blight and non-conforming design standards. Guidance and applications are available on the Town of Williamston website, Envision Williamston website and at Town Hall.

Main Street Challenge Is Accepting Applications
You have until March 15, 2022 to get your application in to Envision Williamston to apply for funding to help start or expand your business in Williamston Town Limits. The program will offer one award of $5,000 or two awards of $2,500 each to the business or businesses selected by Envision Williamston. Applications and guidance are available on the Town of Williamston website, Envision Williamston website and at Town Hall.

HomeTown Hero Banners For Sale
Envision Williamston is selling Hometown Hero banners to be displayed down Main Street during Armed Forces Day in May. The cost is $100. These are two sided color banners which will feature past or current military hero’s with color photos, name, branch of service and dates of service. These banners will be returned to the purchaser when they are taken down. Applications are available on the Town of Williamston website, Envision Williamston website and at Town Hall.