November 2021 Applications
The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust received:
Five (5) applications from three (3) eligible entities
Requests totaled $482,750 in funds, with no request exceeding $200,000
The applicant-eligible entities would leverage those funds to finance projects totaling a value of $4,283,000
Applications represented:
One (1) Historic Site (District 26)
Three (3) Natural Resources projects (District 17)
One (1) Farm (District 17)
Other Comments
The Trust’s online application worked exceedingly well. We implemented a small number of enhancements for the next application round in early 2022. Note that the application platform started numbering the received applications at #5.
Project 005
A 100-150 acre Blue Ridge gem with nearly a half-mile of frontage on a state highway is the start of a popular biking route for cyclists. The property is characterized by an undulating ridgeline that summits at 1,765 feet and includes mature trees, headwater streams, boulders, rock walls, and a 3-acre granitic bald. It is adjacent to currently owned public property. The site, along with other adjacent protected lands, is slated to become an SC Heritage Preserve.
Grant Request: $150,000
Total Project Value: $920,000
Leverage Ratio*: $5.13 to $1.00
Type of Project: Natural Resource
Acquisition Type: Fee Simple Purchase
Size: 100-150 acres
County Council District: 17
Project 006
A 150-200 acre property that abuts other protected property connecting with Jones Gap State Park. The property contains a striking and mature hardwood forest, headwater streams, bottomland, and frontage on the Middle Saluda River and a mile of frontage on a public road. This acquisition will spread users across a more significant acreage, lessening congestion in one of the state’s most visited parks.
Grant Request: $100,000
Total Project Value: $1,225,000
Leverage Ratio*: $11.30 to $1.00
Type of Project: Natural Resource
Acquisition Type: Fee Simple Purchase
Size: 150-200 acres
County Council District: 17
Project 007
A 0.5-1.0 acre mill village property that contains a 1908 structure that has been used as a young women’s Christian facility, multiple churches, and a private home. This property would be restored as part of an important historical site.
Grant Request: $40,000
Total Project Value: $153,000
Leverage Ratio*: $2.83 to $1.00
Type of Project: Historic Site
Acquisition Type: Fee Simple Purchase
Size: 0.5-1.0 acre
County Council District: 26
Project 008 - This project was approved by the Trust Board and later withdrawn by the owner.
A 350-400 acre tract boasting a wide range of geographic characteristics and several water features – including headwater streams, a small lake, and a small wetland. These features give the property the capacity to protect vital water resources from extreme storms and harbor a wide range of native wildlife and potential threatened and endangered species. The site would remain on the tax rolls but would not include public access.
Grant Request: $150,000
Total Project Value: $1,700,000
Leverage Ratio*: $10.33 to $1.00
Type of Project: Natural Resource
Acquisition Type: Conservation Easement
Size: 350-400 acres
County Council District: 17
*A helpful way to think about the leverage ratio is to say, “For every $1 the Trust invests in a project, others will invest $X.”