The South Carolina Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is designed to assist local governments with a wide variety of projects from revitalizing neighborhoods to improving community infrastructure, providing public facilities and creating or retaining jobs, particularly for persons of low and moderate income.  Additional information on the CDBG Program can be found here.

To comply with CDBG funding regulations, the county, in partnership with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, has created the Dorchester County Citizen Participation Plan, which details how the county incorporates public input in the CDBG grant process.  

A Community Needs Assessment is conducted each year to identify the community development and housing needs of the community, particularly the needs of low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons and the activities that may be undertaken with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, through the adopted citizen participation plan process. The Community Needs Assessment provides a summary overview of community development and housing needs in the locality and examines the special needs of LMI persons.

Parts of Dorchester County are incorporated within the Town of Summerville or the City of North Charleston. Each of those municipalities is an “Entitlement” community, receiving CDBG funding directly from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Projects within those municipalities are not subject to or eligible for consideration under the County’s regional planning grant or state CDBG programs

The drafted 2026 Community Needs Assessment can be found here.

A public hearing will be held on April 6, 2026, on the 2026 draft Community Needs Assessment, at 6 p.m. at the Kenneth F. Waggoner Services Building (201 Johnston Street, St. George). The public notice is available here. 

The Fair Housing Month proclamation will be presented for approval at the April 6, 2026, County Council Meeting. 

Dorchester County does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its federally assisted programs or activities. Phil Hart has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s regulations. If auxiliary aids are required, please notify the above- designated person 72 hours before the meeting at 843-563-0100.    

Upcoming Construction Project: Stratton Capers Water Line Upgrade - Phase 2

• Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds. Read the notice by clicking here.  

Previous Construction Project: Stratton Capers Water Line Upgrade – Phase 1

Dorchester County is preparing to begin construction on the Stratton Capers Water Line Upgrade – Phase 1 project, which is being funded through the Community Development Block Grant program.

Information on the construction plan can be found by clicking here. This information was providing during an in-person Community Meeting on September 25, 2025, with Stratton Capers residents. 

As part of this project, the following job opportunities may become available. Individuals interested and qualified for these roles are encouraged to explore the details.

Dorchester Manor Community Project

Exciting news for Dorchester Manor neighborhood! The County is applying for an initial round of Community Development Block Grant funds to install sidewalks in Phase 1 of the Dorchester Manor Neighborhood.

To comply with funding requirements, the County conducted an income survey on all households in Phase 1, starting the week of July 17, 2025. Residents were notified by mail if their household is in Phase 1 with the dates of the survey and additional information. See map below for the proposed phases within the neighborhood. 

• CDBG Application public hearing for Dorchester Manor will be on September 2, 2025. Additional details can be found here. 

Stratton Capers 2 Community Project 

Welcome to the exciting development plans for the neighborhood of Stratton Capers! In 2024, the county secured a Community Development Block Grant to provide funding for an impactful construction project in Phase 1 of the neighborhood.

Currently, the county is applying for an additional grant to fund the Phase 2 of the project. A map of both phases can be viewed in the exhibit below. These projects will contribute to the overall well-being of Stratton Capers 2 residents, providing new fire hydrants, upgrading waterlines, and assist with water pressure for households and fire hydrants. 

Current Work: Phase 2
Dorchester County is pleased to announce that the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Grants Administration, has awarded the County a $1,000,000 South Carolina Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) towards implementing the second phase of the water line replacement project in the Stratton Capers 2 neighborhood. The project will provide four new fire hydrants, upgrade waterlines with approximately 2,500 linear feet of new 8-inch diameter pipes and assist with water pressure for households and fire hydrants in the neighborhood. The County has also committed a local match of more than $161,000 toward the project. 

Completion: Phase 1 Work
In July 2024, the County was awarded $1,000,000 in grant funding to implement Phase 1 of the water line replacement project. These grant funds were supplemented with local funds from the County. 

During the first phase, the proposed funding invested in the community’s water infrastructure through installation of 4,694 linear feet of a new 8” PVC waterline along with an increased number of new fire hydrants throughout the neighborhood. 

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 1 marked areas who will directly benefit from the proposed project. County staff distributed information, asked questions, and compiled input. 

The County also held a public hearing at the Dorchester County Council Meeting on April 15, 2024 at 6:00pm regarding the application submitted to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Grants Administration for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Please click to view the Notice of CDBG Application Public Hearing.

Information on the construction plan can be found by clicking here. This information was providing during an in-person Community Meeting on September 25, 2025, with Stratton Capers residents. 

Please contact Bryan Havir, Assistant Administrator for Community Services if you have any questions.

Thank you for your continued support as we move this project forward and stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to contribute to the exciting future of Stratton Capers!