County making grants available to preserve history, support conservation
December 1, 2021
Nonprofits and other groups seeking to protect and preserve the County’s rich land and historic places will soon be able to apply for grants worth thousands.
On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Richland County Conservation Commission will open its application process for Historic Preservation and Community Conservation grants. Nonprofits, neighborhood organizations, governmental agencies, commercial entities and other institutions can apply for funding to support various projects. Both grants require a 20 percent match.
Access grant criteria and applications online at richlandlegacy.com. The application period for both grants runs until Feb. 1, 2022.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available for preservation or restoration costs for historic buildings and cemeteries, or for educational and research projects promoting Richland County’s history. Examples of previous projects receiving Historic Preservation Grants include:
- Restoration of a pressed-metal ceiling at Ebenezer Lutheran Chapel in Columbia
- Historic home plaques in the Hollywood and Rose Hill communities
- Upgrades to the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home
- Oral histories in Waverly and Lower Richland
- A new roof for J.A. Byrd Mercantile Store in Eastover
Grants of up to $20,000 are available for building trails, water quality improvement projects, green infrastructure and environmental education programs. Community Conservation Grants previously were awarded for:
- Educational programs at Camp Discovery in Blythewood
- Boardwalk construction at Wateree Retreat Center in Hopkins
- Rerouting of a mountain bike trail at Harbison State Forest
- Vegetable and pollinator gardens
- Construction of the Kinsler Creek Greenway in Columbia’s Vista
For more information on Richland County’s historic and conservation grant opportunities, contact John McKenzie at Richland County Conservation: [email protected] or 803-576-2083.
