About a dozen decrepit Barnwell County homes and weedy, overgrown lots may get some intense attention over the next several months, with help from grants in conjunction with the South Carolina Regional Housing Authority.
Blackville and Williston's municipal governments have been awarded a total of almost a half-million dollars in grants to address blight.
The money was granted to be used "to fight community blight," and the news is getting a welcome reception from some local leaders.
"We have probably 200 properties that we need to address," said Blackville Mayor Mike Beasley, whose town is in line to receive $274,249. He estimated that his town's portion should allow for about eight parcels to get substantial help.
"We still have to meet with the property owners and make sure that they're willing to proceed with the cleaning up of the blighted areas," he said, adding that "in return, it creates a cleaner atmosphere for our community. Hopefully, later on down the road, there will be more funds available to complete that project."
Williston received $205,663.
Welcoming the news in Williston were Kenny Cook, the town administrator, and Marty Martin, deputy administrator.
Cook said he would be pleased, once some lots have been cleaned and otherwise prepared, to see them for sale as home sites.
"It's good for the tax base. It's good to help people get into some affordable housing at the same time; so it's a win-win situation if we do it that way, and that's kind of what we're hoping to be able to do."
Martin made similar comments, noting that goals include improved neighborhoods, with particular emphasis on significant thoroughfares into Williston.
"If it improves property values, that's wonderful. We can sell the property ... and have some more residential homes built, and we'll bring the whole neighborhood up and give the whole town a little more pride."
One of the immediate challenges, Martin said, is "to get out into the community and let them know what we're doing and why," along with encouraging plenty of feedback and cooperation among neighbors.
The project, in terms of the current grant, must be completed within a year, and hopes are to start "turning dirt" within about the next 90 days.
Cook noted that requirements include a limit of $35,000 per property, covering such things as inspection, asbestos abatement (if necessary), demolition and smoothing and cleaning the lot.
Hopes are for the houses to be processed as inexpensively as possible.
"If you've got a trailer that's fallen in on itself, it probably wouldn't take a whole lot to do something like that. If you're got a nice-sized house, then it's going to take a whole lot more, so we're going to try to ... stretch that money out as far as possible," Cook said.