Theatre moves forward with major renovations
Smoky Mountain Community Theatre is moving forward with major renovation plans following the award of multiple grants aimed at supporting its facility and the local business community.
Completion of a second-floor renovation project is expected before the end of the year, according to Ricky Sanford, director of the theatre. The upgrades will include new office spaces intended for small businesses as part of a broader effort to revitalize the historic venue.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support that has made these projects possible,” said Sanford. “These grants allow us not only to preserve and restore the theatre itself, but also to create opportunities that benefit small businesses and the wider community.”
He recognized Chris Roth, the theatre’s grant writer, for all her hard work and success.
The theatre recently received four grants to help fund its ongoing renovation efforts. Among them is a $150,000 Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will be used to renovate the second floor into office space for small businesses. Sanford noted that community members and local business owners played a key role in supporting the application process through documentation and advocacy.
Another grant, totaling $25,000, was awarded by the John William Pope Foundation through its Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant program, which focuses on supporting the arts. Those funds will be used toward renovations to the auditorium.
Additional support includes a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and a $2,000 grant from CORE of Swain County, both of which will also contribute to the overall renovation project.
Sanford said the combination of funding sources reflects strong community backing for the theatre’s mission.
“This is about more than a building,” he added. “It’s about sustaining a cultural hub that serves residents, artists and local entrepreneurs alike.”
The theatre’s renovation efforts are ongoing, with leaders aiming to restore and enhance the space while expanding.