Charleston Naval Complex RDA fulfills pledge to the International African American Museum

Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority / Naval Base Museum Authority (“Charleston RDA”) will begin the process to transfer $11 million to the International African American Museum (“IAAM”) to fulfill the Charleston RDA Board’s 2018 agreement to support the museum effort.

“We are delighted to satisfy our agreement and transfer $11 million to the IAAM,” said RADM William L. Schachte, Jr. (USN) (Ret.), Chairman of the Charleston RDA. “Along with creating jobs and economic development, our Authority’s enabling legislation includes museum-focused efforts. The IAAM will certainly impact our tri-county region, and communities well beyond South Carolina, in a positive way.”

“We are excited to receive this support from the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, President and CEO of the IAAM. “We appreciate this early contribution to our mission from the State of South Carolina and our General Assembly. These acts have been critical as IAAM joins fellow cultural institutions that strengthen the education, cultural and economic resources of our community.”

In 1994, the South Carolina General Assembly created the Charleston RDA to redevelop the Charleston Naval Complex and help revitalize the tri-county area after the federal government announced the impending closure of the complex in North Charleston. At the time of closing, more than 6,000 civilians and more than 8,000 military personnel worked on site.

Since its inception, the Charleston RDA has made great strides in redeveloping the former naval complex. More than 4,000 people are employed on-site and the Charleston RDA has renovated large sections of the complex’s infrastructure.

For more information on the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority / Naval Base Museum Authority visit charlestonrda.com.