County workshops to focus on grants for neighborhood improvement

Residents interested in improving their neighborhoods have a pair of opportunities to learn how Richland County can help.

Staff from the County’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) will host two January workshops to help people apply for Neighborhood Matching Grants. The program offers up to $1,500 to neighborhood-based organizations to make their neighborhoods better places to live, work and play.

Eligible projects must provide a public benefit to a neighborhood and its residents, involve residents directly in all phases and be achievable by June following the award year. Neighborhoods must also match the amount of funding requested with a dollar-for-dollar, in kind or volunteer hour match.

Examples of eligible projects include neighborhood entrance signs, community events, after-school tutoring programs, crime watch signs and streetlight installation.

At the upcoming workshops, County staff will give an overview of the grant program, answer questions and help organizations fill out the grant application. Interested residents should attend one of the following workshops in the Fourth Floor Conference Room of 2020 Hampton St., Columbia:

• 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9
• 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16

The deadline to apply for a Neighborhood Matching Grant is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.

For more information, contact the NIP at 803-576-2194 or [email protected].