Berkeley County receives additional $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment grant to revitalize St. Stephen area
July 29, 2025
Berkeley County has received a second $500,000 Brownfield Assessment grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to help revitalize the St. Stephen area.
This initiative is part of a larger Brownfield Grant Program the County commenced in 2022 when County Council approved a $500,000 EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant to fund a large-scale revitalization initiative in the St. Stephen area. Part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Community Wide Assessment Grant Program, the EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant is helping fund environmental assessments on certain properties throughout St. Stephen—including the former St. Stephen High School property.
St. Stephen High School closed to the public in 1996 and is located at 1266 Russellville Road in St. Stephen.
The initial assessment grant from 2022 also identified St. Stephen’s former Lumber Mill, which operated as a steam-powered lumber mill from the 1930s to mid-1960s and closed around 1970. Another goal of this large-scale initiative will be to develop a complete revitalization plan unique to St. Stephen.
Over the last three years, community engagement has been a critical part of the EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant, including the establishment of the Brownfield Steering Committee, an 11-member team of local residents. This group advises the County in the assessment of properties and establishing goals and outcomes of the grant process.
A community meeting on the new EPA Assessment Grant is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at St. Stephen Elementary School, located at 1053 Russellville Road, St. Stephen. The meeting will be a time for the public to hear more information about the close out of the previous grant and more on the process for the new grant.
Should you need assistance accessing the grant or if you are unable to attend the public meeting or wish to submit public comments, please contact Corey McClary, Workforce Development Manager for Berkeley County Economic Development, at [email protected] or 843-719-4096.
“Over the last few years, we have worked diligently on gathering public input and working with our Brownfield team to create a path forward for St. Stephen that improves quality of life and increases opportunities for all residents and businesses who live and work there. We are excited to continue the successful revitalization process through this new EPA grant.” -Corey McClary, Workforce Development Manager, Berkeley County Economic Development
For more information on the Brownfield Grant Program, visit berkeleymeansbusiness.com/brownfield.
