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Gulliguchi CDC approves FY27 budget, prioritizes land purchases and Gullah preservation efforts
Summary
The Gulliguchi CDC board approved a FY27 budget that the director said includes land acquisitions, a grant program and a small-business pitch competition; directors also urged stronger tracking and public acknowledgement of Gullah properties and preservation of historic cemeteries and structures.
The Gulliguchi Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation on March 18 approved its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, and board members used the debate to press for clear rules on land purchases and cultural preservation in the Gullah neighborhoods on Hilton Head Island.
"We have our proposed FY27 budget for approval," presenter Mr. Boxley said, outlining recent property partnerships with the town and plans to expand the Experience Gulla app to add historic churches and cemeteries.
Board members highlighted several program priorities tied to the budget: establishing a grant program to support Stony community improvements, holding an annual small-business pitch competition, preserving cemeteries and historic structures, and creating clearer public information when the town or CDC acquires Gullah parcels.
Budget details presented included personnel costs to be absorbed by the town's general fund and line items for property purchases and program funding. Boxley cited two specific items for the grant and pitch program: $100,000 proposed for a grant program and $25,000 for a small-business pitch competition. He also identified land acquisitions (including references to 117 William Hilton Parkway and 1 and 5 Wild Horse Road) as a central part of the FY27 capital plan.
Board members recounted a recent Low Country Gullah legal intervention that helped a family retain property and argued the CDC should coordinate with nonprofit legal partners and the community foundation to support cemetery upkeep and heirs-property cases. One director disputed a public rumor about vandalism in local cemeteries, saying inspections showed older stones had simply deteriorated with age.
After discussion, the board moved and seconded the budget and the chair announced that the FY27 budget was "properly presented, approved, and supported by the CDC board." The transcript does not include a detailed roll-call or numerical vote tally.
Why it matters: the approved budget funds both preservation efforts and economic-development programming aimed at sustaining Gullah cultural presence while enabling small-business support and land purchases that can shape future development patterns on Hilton Head Island.
Next steps: staff will implement budgeted programs, pursue grant opportunities and present a list of regional foundations for board networking; board members requested a future workshop to define conservation versus preservation and to develop a public-education plan for acquired Gullah parcels.
