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Lowcountry COG outlines 2025 CDBG funding, deadlines and eligibility
Summary
Michelle Knight of the Lowcountry Council of Governments told Beaufort County Council the state’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant program is estimated at $19.8 million, with set‑asides for infrastructure, economic development and community enrichment and application deadlines this spring and fall.
Michelle Knight of the Lowcountry Council of Governments presented the state 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to Beaufort County Council on Feb. 10, outlining expected funding, program categories and application timelines.
Knight said the state expects to allocate about $19.8 million to its CDBG program, divided among community infrastructure, business development and regional planning. ‘‘For community infrastructure, the lion’s share of the money is allocated here,’’ Knight said, listing water, sewer, drainage and road projects as typical uses. She said spring application rounds focus on community infrastructure with a maximum project request of $1 million; community‑enrichment projects have a higher per‑project cap ($750,000) and smaller economic development requests can be up to $300,000.
The Lowcountry Council of Governments official noted program rules, including a 10% minimum local match and national objectives that projects must meet (benefiting low‑ and moderate‑income people, eliminating slums/blight, or addressing urgent health threats). She said a family of four in Beaufort County with annual income under $80,700 would currently meet the low‑to‑moderate‑income threshold cited for eligibility.
Knight described a ‘‘ready‑to‑go’’ noncompetitive set‑aside for projects that have already completed environmental reviews or acquisitions and need faster funding, and she flagged a March request deadline for some spring rounds and mid‑August/mid‑September deadlines for fall rounds. Knight asked that local comments for the state action plan be submitted before April 30.
Council members asked procedural questions about county prioritization and whether federal or state administrative changes would delay funds; Knight said the state has not signaled changes to the CDBG program and recommended local officials continue with draws on existing projects while monitoring federal developments.
The presentation concluded with staff reminders that counties typically return to committee to rank local priorities before finalizing submissions to the Lowcountry COG.
The Lowcountry COG presentation serves as the primary notice to local governments of funding opportunities and deadlines; county staff said they will brief committees and return to council with prioritized project recommendations.
