Lowcountry COG outlines 2026 CDBG program, deadlines and eligible project types

Kimberly Barnes of the Lowcountry Council of Governments presented the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) needs assessment and led a public hearing during Bluffton Town Council's March 10 meeting.

Barnes said South Carolina has approximately $20,000,000 in the state CDBG program this year and described three primary program areas: a spring community infrastructure category (roughly $8,000,000 statewide) for projects such as water/sewer, drainage and related roadway work (grants of $50,000–$1,000,000); a local-priorities round (up to $300,000 per award) to support public health, safety and quality-of-life projects; and a community-enrichment category that includes streetscapes, libraries and other facilities. She emphasized that CDBG funds must benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevent or remedy slum/blight, or address urgent needs.

Barnes outlined application timing (spring and fall rounds), environmental-review timing (which can take roughly four months depending on wetlands and other issues) and program restrictions, such as limits on concurrent open grants and category-based constraints. She also noted bonus points for Opportunity Zone locations but confirmed Bluffton is not in an Opportunity Zone.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the "ready to go" funding category (up to $750,000 available for projects that have completed engineering and are bid-ready) and how CDBG might pair with other county projects. Barnes said some projects can be paired (for example, drainage plus paving in certain areas) and noted that Beaufort County's low-income thresholds (for individual- and household-income limits used to identify eligible areas) are part of the application process.

No vote was required; the presentation concluded with staff offering to return for follow-up as requested.