Executive director of The Village Group to be part of a select group focused on economic development in rural communities
GEORGETOWN, SC — Ray C. Funnye, Executive Director of The Village Group, has been selected as one of only 25 participants in the 2026 Community Investment Training (CIT) Cohort of the Rural Investment Collaborative (RIC), an initiative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
This 16-week professional development program brings together civic and community leaders from across Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia who are advancing innovative projects in their communities. Participants receive technical assistance, financial readiness coaching, and a mini grant to strengthen their projects’ investment potential.
“I am honored to be chosen as part of this select group. The CIT program is highly competitive and recognizes leaders and programs with strong, community-driven initiatives,” said Funnye. “While this selection is an individual honor, it represents a significant opportunity for The Village Group and greater Georgetown County.”
One of the primary goals of the Rural Investment Collaborative is to address the challenge of access to capital that many small towns and rural communities face. The Community Investment Training program helps to fill the knowledge gap for leaders seeking to positively impact their communities through viable community and economic development projects.
The Village Group was founded 20 years ago by Funnye and his wife, Queen. Its focus was on youth development grounded in the idea that active engagement is a crucial factor in the lives of all children. Today its programs work to tackle educational gaps, combat food insecurity, support families, and strengthen community bonds and cultural enrichment. “It’s our belief that an interconnected approach to community improvement will build a better future for our young people,” Funnye said.
“We are very proud of Ray and this well-deserved recognition. We are looking forward to the new ideas and strategies he will bring back to The Village Group from this important initiative that will support and grow our mission in Georgetown County,” said Reggie M. Bell, Chairman of the Board of The Village Group.
The Village Group operates an after-school program, Plantersville Enrichment Academy, during the school year and Plantersville Summer Academy for six weeks in the summer. It’s annual Tour de Plantersville Bike Ride & Cultural Festival attracts riders from across the state and raises funds to support its educational programs. Throughout the year, The Village Group holds community events around food distribution, cultural education, and simply bringing people together. It just embarked on a campaign to build the Plantersville Cultural Complex on a 10-acre site in historical rural Georgetown County.
The 2026 Community Investment Training cohort begins in January. Participants’ proposed projects span a variety of focus areas, including supportive workforce training, business incubation, community centers, tourism infrastructure, and Main Street revitalization initiatives. Participants were chosen based on the strength of their projects, intended community impact, and the applicants’ program readiness.
