The Berkeley County Commission authorized staff to apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant money to complete major Inwood Park amenities, and commissioners gave the president authority to sign necessary paperwork if the application proceeds.

County staff presented an estimate that three large amenities — an amphitheater, a large playground and a full restroom facility — have an all-in cost of about $2,977,000. Because LWCF funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, the county’s local commitment would be roughly $1,488,000 if the grant application is successful.

Gary (county staff) told commissioners the application is competitive but that Region 9 and county partners think the project is well-positioned. He said the county could use a blend of TIF (tax-increment financing) resources, public money and private donations to meet the match. “They said, could you put prices to the 3 elements? … those 3 large amenities generate all in cost are right at 2,977,000,” Gary said, and noted that TIF funds could be used if the commission chose.

Commissioners debated whether earmarking TIF monies for the match could constrain future projects and emphasized the need to avoid overcommitting special-revenue accounts. Several commissioners said the TIF currently holds roughly $1.6 million in cash and that the south-end TIF revenue stream projects about $1.2 million per year, making a one-year payback plausible if the revenue projections hold.

By voice vote the commission authorized the application and empowered the president to sign grant documents; commissioners noted they would seek private donations and other sources to reduce the local commitment if possible.