The Town of Lyman held its inaugural State of the Town Address on Tuesday evening.
The event aimed to highlight current town projects, speak to Lyman’s future and honor several town employees. Speakers included Mayor David Petty and former State Rep. Rita Allison.
Petty spoke confidently of Lyman’s future and its present, asserting that “the state of our town is strong.” He frequently pointed to the history of the Mill Village in his remarks, which was designed with community and green space in mind.
“From the very beginning, Lyman was thoughtfully planned. We have such good bones. But a town is more than its design,” Petty said. “I spoke with a Lyman native recently who told me, ‘people used to say I grew up in the mill hill. I always correct them — I grew up in a village. There’s a difference.’”
He continued: “And there is a difference. A village implies connection, shared responsibility and neighbors who know each other. And that’s why I can say very clearly tonight that the state of our town is strong, not because we’re growing [but] because of the people who live here, the people who have raised families here, and the people who are choosing to move here.”
Petty also gave updates on several town initiatives, including reimbursement for Hurricane Helene cleanup. He said the town’s decision to pursue a private cleanup company allowed FEMA claims to be processed sooner and that, currently, cleanup efforts are nearly 100% reimbursed.
He also gave an update on Meadow Street repairs, an ongoing project after a July storm caused major infrastructure damage. Last month, the Town Council approved a contract with Goldie & Associates to begin formal planning for repairs. The proposal has been submitted to the SCDOT for review, and once approved, construction can begin.
Petty also discussed the future of the Mill Village, which he hopes to eventually develop into a walkable, mixed-use area for residents. Currently, the town is waiting to see if it will receive a Brownfields Grant for asbestos removal from the site. Officials expect to know the outcome by spring.
Finally, Petty highlighted additional town successes and encouraged residents to remain active in the community. Some notable achievements include maintaining more than two years of reserve funds and having the second-lowest millage rate of any municipality in Spartanburg County.
“Strong communities are not built by accident. They’re built by people who care enough to participate, by residents who attend meetings, by business owners who invest in downtowns, by council members who prepare [and] by staff who serve faithfully,” Petty said. “So my call to you tonight is straightforward — to stay engaged, to support our local businesses, review our comprehensive plan [and] attend the council meetings. … As we move forward with downtown planning … your voice and your participation will shape what Lyman becomes.”
Former State Rep. Rita Allison, who spoke before Petty, also emphasized Lyman’s strong history as a mill village. She stressed the importance of connection and maintaining civic pride as the town continues to grow.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching this town for a long time, and I want to tell you something that I mean from the bottom of my heart,” Allison said. “What is happening here in Lyman is not an accident. Lyman has always been a working town, a town with its sleeves rolled up. [It’s] the kind of place where people know their neighbor by name, and not just by name, but they also know their story, too.”
Other event highlights included the naming of the Town Employee of the Year and Town Police Officer of the Year. The former honor went to Jeffrey Drummond of the public works department, and the latter to Officer Daniel Gibson.
Rev. Jeremiah Clements of Table Church delivered the invocation for the evening, and Tyger River Fire Marshal Steven Carpenter led the pledge of allegiance. The event was catered by SOWA, an upcoming European restaurant in Lyman.
For additional information on the Town of Lyman, visit its website.
