The Village Group launches $5.9 million capital campaign to advance Plantersville Cultural Complex

What began as a bold community vision rooted in history, culture, and opportunity is steadily becoming a reality.

After more than two decades of investing in youth, families, and community revitalization across Georgetown County, The Village Group has officially launched a $5.9 million capital campaign to advance the Plantersville Cultural Complex (PCC), a transformational destination designed to preserve history, inspire future generations, and strengthen economic opportunity in one of South Carolina’s most historically rich communities. 

Situated on approximately 10 acres along the Highway 701 corridor in Plantersville, the future PCC campus will blend cultural preservation, education, tourism, and community engagement into a permanent regional asset that honors the past while helping shape the future.

“This is much bigger than a building,” said Ray C. Funnye, executive director of The Village Group. “We are creating a place where history is preserved, culture is celebrated, young people are inspired, and communities can gather, learn, and grow together. The Plantersville Cultural Complex represents an investment in people, place, and possibility.”

The campaign marks a defining milestone for a project that has advanced through a thoughtful and disciplined four-phase development strategy.

Phase I:  Land acquisition is complete, securing the future home of the Complex.

Phase II:  Architectural conceptual design of the building and site is also complete, including environmental studies, wetland delineation, surveying, and technical planning necessary to prepare the project for implementation. These early milestones were made possible through a combination of public and philanthropic investment, helping establish a strong foundation for the project’s next chapter.

Phase III: The campaign is now focused on site development, design, and construction, which will establish the essential infrastructure to support future development while advancing long-term sustainability planning.

With this momentum in place, Phase IV will bring the vision fully to life through vertical construction, creating permanent cultural, educational, and gathering spaces designed to serve residents, students, families, and visitors for generations to come.

Beyond construction, the focus will shift to bringing the Complex to life through educational programming, cultural experiences, partnerships, and long-term sustainability. The goal is to create a vibrant, year-round community asset that supports heritage tourism, youth engagement, and economic opportunity.

When complete, the Plantersville Cultural Complex will serve as a welcoming destination for learning, gathering, and cultural experiences. The campus will celebrate the region’s African American and Gullah Geechee heritage, including Georgetown County’s rich rice culture history.

Planned amenities include museum and exhibit space, an outdoor performance pavilion, educational gardens, walking trails, flexible event and meeting spaces, and areas for arts, storytelling, performances, and intergenerational learning.

But project leaders say the Complex is about more than preserving history; it is also about creating opportunity.

“Our goal is to create something that preserves culture while generating economic mobility,” Funnye said. “The Plantersville Cultural Complex aligns with Georgetown County’s long-term vision for heritage tourism, education, and economic development. We believe this can become a regional asset, one that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, creates jobs, and provides meaningful opportunities for residents.”

To help lead the effort, The Village Group is assembling a Capital Campaign Cabinet, a coalition of respected civic, philanthropic, and business leaders from across the Grand Strand who will help champion the project, expand partnerships, and secure the resources necessary to complete future phases and ensure long-term sustainability.

Community engagement opportunities and campaign announcements are expected to continue throughout 2026 as fundraising accelerates and planning advances toward site development activities.

“The foundation has been laid,” Funnye said. “Now, we are inviting the community to help us build something lasting, something future generations will be proud to inherit.”

For more information or to support the campaign, visit the Plantersville Cultural Complex website.