Berkeley County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Berkeley County a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant to fund environmental assessments of properties located within a designated census tract in the St. Stephen area in May 2021. The small, rural town was approached at the speed of trust, understanding their vulnerability with protecting St. Stephen High School, a historical Black high school that many residents attended.  The Asiko Group has led the intentional community engagement and outreach, communications and facilitation for public meetings, annual festivals, pop-ups, and canvassing.  With transparency and communication, community members, business and property owners, have leaned into transforming the former high school, and other approved sites, to revitalize their beloved Town of St. Stephen.

Since community engagement began in April 2023, residents of St. Stephen have been engaged at five public meetings, two community festivals, as well as a grocery store pop-up. Additionally, a Steering Committee was convened of residents, property owners, and / or business owners in the 29479 zip code, who help the County in identifying potential properties for assessment that are in the community’s best interest. Updates about the project have also been made available on the Berkeley County website and social media, as well as via newsletters, mailers, flyers, and yard signs.

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