Charleston County Connects

Episode 22 - Palmetto Commerce Interchange, a featured project from the 2016 Transportation Sales Tax, recently completed a key piece of the construction process. Project Engineer Mackenzie Kelley breaks down the latest, what’s next, and how this project provides relief to the traveling public. Plus, the all-important completion timeline.

Project website: https://www.palmettocommerceinterchange.com/

Charleston County Transportation Home: https://roads.charlestoncounty.org/index.php

Episode 21 – The Charleston County Coroner’s Office recently earned the 2024 Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award presented by the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC). The award recognizes the importance of regional partnerships by honoring two or more local governments that collaborated on an innovative project to better serve their communities. Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal discusses the partnership between the Charleston and Beaufort County Coroners’ Offices, establishing a framework for sharing resources and investigative tools to improve data standardization and communication between the counties.

SCAC Award Announcement: https://www.sccounties.org/news/collaboration-between-coroners-beaufort-charleston-counties-earns-2024-barrett-lawrimore

Engage Charleston County: https://publicinput.com/Portal/s3577

Episode 19 – Emergency supply kits, family plans, evacuation zones, shelters and so much more to consider as we move through the 2024 hurricane season. If you are new to the area or have been here for decades, now is the time to prepare. Interim Emergency Management Director Ben Webster breaks down what is new this year and a few simple tips to help reduce the stress during storm season.

Charleston County Hurricane Guide: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/emergency-management/index.php

Applications are now open for Phase III of the Charleston Homes Program, which invites interested parties, including nonprofit organizations and private entities with experience in the production of affordable housing, to rehab units into livable and affordable homes.  Director LoElla Smalls provides a breakdown of how the program works and some of her favorite success stories during the first two phases.

Interested parties can register and apply here: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/charlestoncountysc/participant

Department website: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/community-development/index.php

Applications are now open for Charleston County Government’s Summer Youth Internship Program. The six-week program is designed to help teenagers and young adults develop workplace readiness skills and gain experience in Charleston County Government operations.

The internship runs from June 14 to July 26 and interns earn $15.00 per hour, working typically 20 hours per week for a maximum of 120 total hours for the duration of the internship.

 Applicants must meet the following criteria:

•           Be between the ages of 16 and 21 at the time of application submission.

•           Be currently enrolled in high school or college.

•           Be a Charleston County resident.

•           File a completed application and provide parental consent if applicable.

Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants without access to a computer can use the computers in the Charleston County Human Resources Department in North Charleston. If you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 843-958-4704. The application deadline is May 5, 2024.

Applicants can apply at https://www.charlestoncounty.org/syip/application.php

Episode 16 – Black Expo Preview – County Square

Everything Charleston County has to offer in one location; welcome to the 2024 Black Expo Charleston.  Margie Gamble, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, handles the county’s participation in this annual event. She details what you can expect to see at this year and the opportunity to join the workforce at Charleston County Government.

Black Expo 2024 Tickets: https://eventpasshero.com/event/blackexpochs/

Episode 15 – Charleston County is set to host several public meetings to receive input on potential future transportation projects and green space. The County’s Greenbelt program has a track record of success in the areas of preservation and conservation. Director Eric Davis breaks down how the funds are spent to provide both public access locations and conservation easements. You can also click the link below to find Greenbelt projects across Charleston County.

Greenbelt Map: https://chascogis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5047aaa8a365417395daa173947cee50

Upcoming Public Meetings:

All meetings are a drop-in style and will be held from 5-7 p.m.

• Monday, January 22: St. Johns High School 1518 Main Road, Johns Island, SC 29455

• Monday, January 29: West Ashley High School, 4060 W Wildcat Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414

• Monday, February 5: James Island Charter School, 1000 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

• Monday, February 12: Moultrie Middle School, 645 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

• Monday, February 26: North Charleston City Hall, 2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406

Episode 14 – The holidays are no time to rest for Treasurer Mary Tinkler and her staff as property tax bills are due in mid-January. But several improvements during the last few years is easing the burden on citizens. In this episode, she explains how the Advance Installment Plan works and free ways to pay on-line with eChecks. Mary Tinkler also looks ahead to 2024 and we find out who Athena is.

Charleston County Treasurer’s Office: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/treasurer/index.php

Advance Property Tax Installment Plan https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/treasurer/installment-plan.php

Episode 13 - The Glenn McConnell Parkway Widening is moving closer to completion. In this episode, Project Manager Herb Nimz details when construction will be completed and what citizens can expect during the next few months. He will also explain some of the other project benefits from drainage to a new multi-use path. The goal of this project is to relieve traffic congestion on Glenn McConnell Parkway by widening the road from four-to-six lanes between Bees Ferry Road and Magwood Drive. This project also intends to improve bike and pedestrian facilities through the addition of a multi-use path allowing safe pedestrian access across the CSX Railway.

Project website: https://roads.charlestoncounty.org/projects/glenn-mcconnell/