York County Park Project Awarded $300K in Latest Round of $12M State Community Development Grants

COLUMBIA, S.C. – York County residents will soon see upgrades to a local recreational area, as the county has been selected as one of 27 recipients in a sweeping $12 million grant distribution by the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

The S.C. Department of Commerce announced the awarding of $12,129,450 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds this week. The funds are earmarked for public improvement projects, revitalization efforts, and vital equipment needs across the state.

York County Project Details Among the nearly two dozen communities selected, York County secured $300,000 specifically for improvements to Wooded Valley Park. This project is part of a broader statewide initiative to enhance quality of life and economic opportunities for residents.

“The money we award through the CDBG program provides for vital needs that communities might not be able to address through other means,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “These important projects will go a long way to improving the quality of life in these communities and will continue to make South Carolina a great place to live, work and grow a business.”

Statewide Impact and Other Recipients While York County focuses on park enhancements, the Fall 2025 CDBG funding will impact over 90,000 residents statewide. Projects range from demolishing blighted buildings to purchasing life-saving ambulances.

Notably, the City of Union and Union County secured significant funding for cleanup efforts, receiving $1 million each for the Buffalo Mill Clearance (Phase I) and a dry cleaner clearance project, respectively. Chester County was another major winner, receiving two separate grants totaling over $1 million for a new ambulance and a fire service truck.

The full list of additional grant recipients and projects includes:

Public Infrastructure and Streetscapes:

• Town of Andrews: $734,500 for streetscape improvements.

• Town of Blacksburg: $851,952 for N. Shelby streetscape improvements.

• Dorchester County: $750,000 for Dorchester Manor sidewalks.

• Town of Sellers: $200,000 for a drainage study.

Community Facilities and Equipment:

• Abbeville County: $445,328 for DSS parking lot improvements.

• Town of Aynor: $312,670 for Senior Center ADA and energy efficiency upgrades.

• Greenwood County: $923,890 for Department of Public Health renovation.

• Saluda County: $65,872 for EMS station blood storage equipment.

Parks and Recreation:

• Town of Bowman: $300,000 for park improvements.

• Town of Carlisle: $300,000 for park improvements.

• Town of Cheraw: $300,000 for Arrowhead Park improvements.

• Town of Great Falls: $300,000 for David Minors Park improvements.

• Town of Greeleyville: $297,000 for a new park.

• Town of Heath Springs: $300,000 for Park Improvements (Phase II).

• Marlboro County: $300,000 for Lindsay Park improvements.

• Town of Port Royal: $300,000 for Marsh View Park improvements.

Demolition and Revitalization:

• Town of Burnettown: $253,668 for neighborhood demolition.

• Town of Eastover: $163,650 for water tank demolition.

• Florence County: $500,000 for school demolition.

• City of New Ellenton: $169,930 for Southeast Quadrant demolition.

• Town of St. Matthews: $380,990 for neighborhood demolition.

• Town of Timmonsville: $380,000 for Northwest Quadrant demolition.

• City of Walterboro: $250,000 for neighborhood demolition.

Funding Requirements The CDBG program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by S.C. Commerce. Local governments receiving these funds are required to provide at least a 10% funding match.

To qualify, projects must meet strict federal objectives, including benefitting low-to-moderate-income persons, eliminating slum and blight, or addressing urgent community needs where other financial resources are unavailable.

For more information on the program, visit www.cdbgsc.com.

About S.C. Commerce

Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation. As the state’s lead economic development agency, the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) works to recruit and support companies of all sizes in their quest to launch, expand and build a legacy. With proactive, strategic initiatives that help the agency create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, S.C. Commerce champions new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging and established industries alike. S.C. Commerce is the principal collaborator for SC NEXUS, a consortium of state leaders in government, utilities, higher education and other stakeholders exploring advanced energy. Recognized for its pro-business climate and policies that have attracted global brands and industry leaders, South Carolina is committed to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy — one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle – allowing people to live and work where they love. For more information, visit www.sccommerce.com.