Columbia Standard

The Richland County Conservation Commission began opening its applications process for Historic Preservation and Community Conservation grants on Dec. 1.

In a recent release, the county, which includes the South Carolina capital of Columbia, said this process will allow nonprofits, neighborhood organizations, governmental agencies, commercial entities and other institutions to apply for funding worth thousands of dollars to support various projects.

“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,” the release states. 

According to the release, grants of up to $50,000 will be available for preservation or restoration costs on historic buildings and cemeteries, or for educational and research projects promoting Richland County’s history. 

Projects receiving this grant in the past included the restoration of a pressed-metal ceiling at the Ebenezer Lutheran Chapel in Columbia, historic home plaques in Hollywood and Rose Hill, upgrades to the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, oral histories in Waverly and the lower Richland area, and a new roof at the J.A. Byrd Mercantile Store in Eastover, the release states.

The second type of grant, available for building trails, water quality improvement projects, green infrastructure and environmental education programs offers residents up to $20,000 in funding. Previously approved projects included the educational programs at Camp Discovery in Blythewood, boardwalk construction, mountain bike trail rerouting, vegetable and pollinator gardens and the construction of the Kinsler Creek Greenway in Columbia’s Vista, the release states. 

Both grants will require a 20% match, according to the release. Grant criteria and applications are available for access online at richlandlegacy.com and applications will remain open until Feb. 1, 2022.