Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: 843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 2773

Date: January 11, 2007

Greenbelt Project Accepting Applications for Urban and Rural Grants, Funded by the Transportation "Half-Cent" Sales Tax

            Grant applications accepted between Jan. 15 and Mar. 30

The Charleston County Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan established both an Urban and Rural Grants Program to distribute the Greenbelt portion of the Transportation "Half-Cent" Sales Tax proceeds in the form of financial grants to the urban and rural areas of Charleston County. 

The purpose of these urban and rural grants is to distribute funding in an equitable manner for the conservation of greenspace in Charleston County.

Approximately $95 million is available for greenbelt projects. In accordance with the Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan, 70 percent ($66.5 million) is allocated for the Rural Program and 30 percent ($28.5 million) is allocated for the Urban Program.

Greenbelt project applications for both the Urban and Rural Grants Programs may be submitted from Jan. 15 through 5 p.m. on Mar. 30, 2007. Any applications received after the deadline of 5 p.m. on Mar. 30 will not be considered in this round of funding. Post marks will not be considered.  

The applications should be mailed or hand delivered to:

Charleston County Planning Department

Attn: Greenbelt Project

4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite A-314

North Charleston, SC  29405

Anyone applying to either the Urban or Rural Grants Program must schedule a pre-application meeting with Charleston County Government staff. This meeting will provide the applicant with an overview of the proposed project, followed with technical assistance by staff. Pre-application meetings may be scheduled during the month of February by contacting Cathy L. Ruff at (843) 202-7204.

Charleston County will also hold an application workshop at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7 to review the process and answer questions from potential applicants. The workshop will take place in County Council's Chambers on the second floor of the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building (4045 Bridge View Drive, off Leeds Ave. in North Charleston). Attendance at the workshop is not required for application submittal.

Charleston County will be sending letters to all municipalities and various agencies and organizations to make them aware of the application period.

Interested parties may request application packets at the Transportation Sales Tax Web site www.smallchangeforbigchange.org or by contacting Cathy L. Ruff at cruff@charlestoncounty.org.