Editing Ninety Six, South Carolina (section)

=== 21st century ===
In 2008, Ninety Six started hosting an annual [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration, known as the [[#Festival of Stars|Festival of Stars]], and as of 2023 is still running in its 15th consecutive year.<!-- This needs to be fixed. I rewrote this, but didn't save it. -->

==== Revitalization of Ninety Six<!-- There are no online sources I could find on this, other than some PDF's on archive.org that I uploaded which were from a member of the H96DA. -->====
[[File:Lou Ellen Dr, Ninety Six.jpg|thumb|After the revitalization, many businesses were added to Lou Ellen Drive.]]
In 2007, the Town of Ninety Six, with the help of [[Clemson University]], launched an initiative to address the economic decline and deterioration of the city, following the loss of [[Textile manufacturing|textile]] jobs.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last=Wells |first=Donna |date=July 10, 2007 |title=Revitalization Public Presentation |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Public%20Presentation%20July%2010%2C%202007/ |journal=H96DA Archival}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=April 2008 |title=2008 Clemson's Recommended Economic Development Strategies |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Revitalalization%20Clemson%27s%20Development%20Strategies%20Review%20April%202010/}}</ref>

On July 10, 2007, community leaders, most members of the [[Historic 96 Development Association]], held a public presentation outlining the plan for the project.  The project's mission was to ''"restore pride, beauty and a sense of history to the Town of Ninety Six."''<ref name=":12" />

The initiative received broad support from locals, raising $28,533 of its $29,333 planning budget through pledges from the town, the Ninety Six Chamber of Commerce, [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood County]], and local businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Donna |date=July 24, 2007 |title=Revitalization invoice |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Revitalization%20invoice/}}</ref> The project was also awarded a $29,325 grant from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board to fund streetscape improvements on Main and Cambridge Streets.

The planning of the project began with a multi-day "[[charrette]]" held in January 2008, where Clemson representatives had public input sessions with residents, businesses, government officials, and tourism leaders. Following the charrette, the town formed a committee and multiple task forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Donna |date=December 11, 2008 |title=Implementation Task Force Meeting |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Revitalalization%20Time%20frame%20December%2C%202008/}}</ref>

By 2012, the task force had:

* Installed benches, street lamps, [[signage]], and planters downtown.
* Restored the [[Ninety Six station|Ninety Six Depot]], which was later added to [[National Register of Historic Places|The National Register of Historic Places]] in 2011.
* Promoted downtown businesses by organizing events like the [[Festival of Stars]].
* Enforced building codes, updated ordinances, and regulated public cleanliness.<ref name=":02"/>

==== Hurricane Helene impact ====
{{Main|Hurricane Helene}}
[[File:Ninety Six citizens working to remove trees after Helene.jpg|thumb|Ninety Six citizens working to remove trees after Helene]]
[[File:A completely blocked off road in Ninety Six after Helene.jpg|thumb|A completely blocked off road.]]
In the early morning of September 28, 2024, [[Hurricane Helene]] swept through the town of Ninety Six, taking trees and power lines with it, alongside damaging over 350 houses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Overton |first=Rodney |date=October 13, 2024 |title=Still recovering from Helene, SC county rattled by cluster of 8 earthquakes Sunday |url=https://www.cbs17.com/news/south/still-recovering-from-helene-damage-sc-county-rattled-by-6-small-earthquakes-sunday-morning/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Hurricane Helene {{!}} Office of Resilience |url=https://scor.sc.gov/Helene |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=scor.sc.gov}}</ref> Many citizens of the town, especially those in more remote areas were trapped in their communities due to the vast amount of trees that had fallen on roads.<ref>{{Cite news |last=rortiz@indexjournal.com |first=RENEE ORTIZ |title='I've never seen anything like this': Greenwood residents reflect on Hurricane Helene |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-greenwood-residents-reflect-on-hurricane-helene/article_42766388-7f31-11ef-9a17-0752af847987.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref> Many residents took it upon themselves to clear roads, using their own equipment and [[power tool]]s to cut trees, allowing some to be able to leave their residences via [[Car|automobile]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murdaugh |first=Shellie |title=Jasper citizens help one another after Hurricane Helene |url=https://www.blufftontoday.com/story/news/2024/10/04/jasper-citizens-help-one-another-after-hurricane-helene/75486917007/#:~:text=There%20were%20also%20numerous%20others,to%20help%20those%20in%20need. |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Bluffton Today |language=en-US}}</ref> However, as citizens drove around, many rushed to nearby [[Filling station|gas stations]] to fuel their vehicles, causing havoc,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conklin |first=Audrey |date=2024-10-01 |title=Hurricane Helene: North Carolina residents fight for their survival as basic goods become scarce |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-residents-fight-survival-basic-goods-become-scarce |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> with numerous fights breaking out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sarac35 |date=2024-09-28 |title=Hurricane Helene Megathread 9/28 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/greenville/comments/1frioz6/hurricane_helene_megathread_928/?rdt=42498 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=r/greenville}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgP0tGgnN-A |title=Local gas stations experience large crowds and long lines following Hurricane Helene |date=2024-09-30 |last=WTOC |access-date=2025-04-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] was deployed<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2024 |title=National Guard Provides Support to Hurricane Stricken States |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3926122/national-guard-provides-support-to-hurricane-stricken-states/}}</ref> to assist with the recovery efforts, and many troops were stationed at local gas stations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-13 |title=National Guard helps Hurricane Milton, Helene victims |url=https://www.army.mil/article/280479/national_guard_helps_hurricane_milton_helene_victims#:~:text=More%20than%203,600%20Guard%20members,and %20high%20and%20swift%20water. |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}}</ref> For the next week, Ninety Six residents were left without power, with many soely relying on [[Portable generators|backup generators]], adding to the need for fuel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenwood CPW's Response Efforts in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene |url=https://greenwoodcpw.com/greenwood-cpws-response-efforts-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=greenwoodcpw.com}}</ref> Citizens were eager to share what happened, with many needing to file insurance claims,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lord |first1=Debbie |last2=Desk |first2=Cox Media Group National Content |last3=Trubey |first3=J. Scott |title=A step-by-step guide to filing insurance claims following the storm |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/business/hurricane-helene-heres-a-step-by-step-guide-to-filing-an-insurance/VTIHILZWK5DAZGBWSI5LEIDTLY/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Oana |date=2024-10-01 |title=Navigating Insurance Claim Denials After Hurricane Helene: A Guide for South Carolina Residents |url=https://rosenhagood.com/navigating-insurance-claim-denials-after-hurricane-helene-a-guide-for-south-carolina-residents/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Rosen Hagood |language=en-US}}</ref> but [[Cellular network|cellular signal]] was extremely weak, with downtown Ninety Six having little-to-no service.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2024 |title=Communications Status Report for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Helene |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-406055A1.pdf}}</ref> In Greenwood County, 23 cell towers were completely out of operation, with an additional 26 on back-up power and with limited range.<ref name=":5" /> A week after the disaster, as power began to be restored, residents were able to heat and cool their homes, but many were still left without [[Internet|internet service]], leaving them unable to work.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-22 |title=4829 {{!}} FEMA.gov |url=https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4829 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}}</ref> Nearly a month later, in early November, most residents had their internet service restored. The aftermath of Helene in the town is still visible as of 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=reports |first=From staff |date=2025-01-16 |title=City of Greenwood wrapping up Helene debris removal |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/city-of-greenwood-wrapping-up-helene-debris-removal/article_7f375862-d428-11ef-9721-43a74e5cb4fb.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref> with many trees lying on the side of roads, and homes with tarps on their roofs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=30 Days After Hurricane Helene, Recovery Continues in South Carolina - South Carolina Emergency Management Division |url=https://www.scemd.org/news/30-days-after-hurricane-helene-recovery-continues-in-south-carolina/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.scemd.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=rjordan@indexjouornal.com |first=ROBERT JORDAN |date=2024-11-28 |title=Slowly but surely: Aftermath of Hurricane Helene cleanup continues |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/slowly-but-surely-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene-cleanup-continues/article_9758b556-ac0c-11ef-b06a-efc3363dbe51.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref>