Charleston Co. to vote on $516K funds for historic Black settlement communities

Charleston Co. to vote on 6K funds for historic Black settlement communities

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston County leaders are preparing to allocate $516,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to projects focused on preserving historic African American Settlement Communities and strengthening neighborhood resources.

The funding would support more than a dozen projects across the county’s historic Settlement Communities, including roof replacements on aging historic buildings, upgrades to community centers, improvements to public walking trails, and investments in community gardens and green space.

Some organizations would also use the money to create digital access hubs and emergency preparedness spaces, aimed at improving connectivity and resilience in neighborhoods that have historically lacked infrastructure investment.

Ed Lee said the needs vary by community, but that common concerns run throughout.

“Each one of the settlement communities has specific priorities. They have specific projects, but all of them have similar concerns. You know, there’s always a flooding concern, there’s an educational concern, there’s preserving history, preserving historic structures, stabilization of existing structures. So that money will go a long way and accomplishing all those goals,” Lee said.

The funding is headed for final council approval on Tuesday. If passed, community organizations could begin moving forward with their projects in the coming months.

Leaders and residents will also gather this weekend to celebrate the culture and history of these communities as funding discussions move forward. The Gullah Geechee Heritage Preservation Project is hosting “Full Circle: A Celebration of Legacy” on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Park Circle Community Building in North Charleston.

The free, public event will bring together settlement communities from across the county for food, a speaker series, youth activities, a De Gullah Geechee Farmers Market, music and fellowship.

Organizers say the event is designed to celebrate the shared heritage of Charleston’s Gullah Geechee communities while highlighting ongoing preservation efforts.

The gathering comes at a pivotal moment, as new funding could help protect historic structures, strengthen community resources and invest in the next generation.

The event is open to the public.

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