South Carolina State Ports Authority funds $4m community mitigation project

LAMC worked with the SPA over several months to ensure that the new container terminal will have the greatest positive impact on the surrounding area. The resulting Community Mitigation Agreement calls for the SPA to fund $4.08 million in community, neighborhood and economic development projects such as scholarships, affordable housing and revitalisation plans. Last year, the SPA presented $750,000 in first-year funding and is contributing $300,000 annually to the community until 2013. “LAMC’s partnership with the Ports Authority means great things for our community,” said North Charleston City Councilman Michael Brown, who serves as president of LAMC. “For example, we were able to provide educational opportunities for our residents, with thousands of dollars in scholarships. We will soon begin work on a comprehensive community plan that will serve as a roadmap for revitalising and strengthening our neighbourhoods.” While virtually all major port development projects include traditional “green” mitigation for wetlands and other impacts, this is one of the first port expansion projects in the USA, that included both community and environmental programming as part of the formal mitigation plan. Specific priorities in the Community Mitigation Plan include a housing trust for affordable housing; environmental monitoring; scholarships other financial support for education; health care and fitness amenities; community centre improvements; maritime career centre or training institute and a community redevelopment master plan. The community mitigation is part of a larger $12-million mitigation program to offset direct and indirect impacts of the SPA’s new container terminal at the former Navy Base.