Rural and urban projects

The areas defined by the County’s Comprehensive Plan for the Rural Grants Program include:

• Edisto Island.
• Portions of Johns Island, West Ashley and East Cooper.
• St. Paul’s area.
• Town of Awendaw.
• Town of Hollywood.
• Town of Meggett.
• Town of Ravenel.
• Town of Rockville.
• Town of McClellanville.
• Wadmalaw Island.
• West St. Andrews in West Ashley.

The areas defined by the county’s Comprehensive Plan for the Urban Grants Program include:

• City of Charleston.
• City of Folly Beach.
• City of Isle of Palms.
• City of North Charleston.
• Town of James Island.
• Town of Lincolnville.
• Town of Mount Pleasant.
• Town of Kiawah Island.
• Town of Seabrook Island.
• Town of Sullivan’s Island.
• Unincorporated Charleston County (portions of Johns Island, West Ashley and East Cooper).

Staff Report
Published Jan. 30, 2009

As part of Charleston County’s Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan funded by the half-cent transportation sales tax, about $56 million is available in rural and urban grants this year to conserve green space within the county.

About $43 million is available for rural greenbelt projects and $13 million will go to urban projects. The funds can be used to purchase land or development rights or for minor improvements such as footbridges, boardwalks and unpaved trails. Past projects include Bear Swamp Road in Charleston, Bugby Plantation and Bulls Bay Village in Awendaw. The grant amounts can range from $20,000 to several million.

The grants are open to all county municipalities and agencies, trusts and nonprofits; the deadline to submit an application is March 31.

A workshop is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. Feb. 13 to help applicants through the process and answer questions. It will be at County Council’s chambers at 4045 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston. The workshop is not mandatory, but all applicants must meet with greenbelt staff before the deadline.

Request a grant application online, by e-mail, or by calling 843-202-7204.