Dorchester County applies for federal grant to fund second phase of waterline improvements in Stratton Capers Neighborhood
April 15, 2025
Project to Provide Improved Water Infrastructure and New Fire Hydrants
Dorchester County, in partnership with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, is applying to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Grants Administration, for a $1 million Community Block Development Grant (CBDG), to implement Phase Two of the water line replacement project in the Stratton Capers 2 Neighborhood. This project would continue the installation of new waterlines and fire hydrants to the second portion of the neighborhood. Due to last year’s successful grant award of $1 million, the County will be installing 4,694 linear feet of a new 8-inch PVC waterline, along with an increase of six new fire hydrants, in Phase One of the neighborhood this summer.
“Improving water infrastructure impacts quality of life and safety for our community. If both phases of the project are funded, approximately 140 households will benefit from these needed improvements,” said Dorchester County Councilwoman Rita May Ranck (District 3). “I am proud that the County was awarded a Community Block Development Grant for Phase One of the Stratton Capers neighborhood last year and will have this opportunity for funding the remaining portion of the neighborhood in this year’s application.”
To comply with the funding requirements for the CDBG funding, the County conducted an income survey of all the occupants in the Stratton Capers 2 Neighborhood in Phase Two marked areas who will directly benefit from the proposed project. To be eligible for the CDBG program funding, at least 51 percent of the beneficiaries residing in the project area must meet the low-to-moderate income (LMI) limitations established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of the Phase Two Stratton Capers neighborhood, 84 percent of the total benefices residing in the neighborhood that were surveyed have incomes meeting the LMI limitations.
To further assist the numerous residents in this neighborhood that were non-English speaking, a translator joined County staff door-to-door distributing information, asking questions, and compiling input. Due to these efforts and the resident’s participation, the County is eligible to apply for the grant. Grant awards are anticipated to be provided in July 2025.
To learn more about the Community Development Block Grant program, visit www.dorchestercountysc.gov/
