Allendale County ALIVE (ACA) has accomplished a number of things in 1999 as a grassroots, all volunteer organization. We received Enterprise Community designation in January and 501(c)(3) status in April. Through partnership with the Allendale County Historical Society, we obtained office space. With the aid of a Sisters of Charity Foundation Planning Grant, ACA purchased computer equipment, acquired telephone access and obtained office supplies. We furnished the office with USDA surplus furniture. In September, we held our MOA signing ceremony at the office, attended by Bernie Wright, State Director for USDA, Rural Development, Norm Reid, Associate Deputy Administrator, USDA, Office of Community Development, and SC Governor James H. Hodges. In March, ACA received the 1999 SC Governor's Partnership Award in Rural Economic Development at the 1999 Governor's Rural Summit. Funds from the Sisters of Charity Grant were used for office startup and board training. Also, Allendale County ALIVE has become a Community Development Corporation and has been working on projects with the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations.

The Human Relations Task Force became the Allendale County Human Relations Commission at a Commissioning Ceremony in the USC Salkehatchie Atrium. The group began recruiting new members through monthly meal meeting discussions. They accepted an invitation to participate in Palmetto Project study circles to discuss human relations and will begin training for and implementing the project in Spring 2000.

The USC Salkehatchie Leadership Center (SLC) was established and began a full slate of leadership development activities. SLC completed its first full cycle of leadership training programs for youth and adults with resounding success. The Leadership Task Force (EXCEL) published an updated version of its pamphlet "A Ready Reference to Allendale County Government". EXCEL trained personnel to present its "Your Responsibility to your Government" program and presented the program to five groups.

In May, SLC sponsored a Kettering Foundation Public Policy Institute, which introduced participants to the deliberation process. SLC hosted a Citizenship Leadership Institute "train the trainers" program taught by Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City, Florida. Among the 15 participants, 5 EXCEL members completed this training. In December, the Kettering Foundation picked the Salkehatchie Leadership Center to be on of five entities in the nation to participate in the Community Politics program beginning in June 2000.

The Health Task Force developed a diabetes education component in a Reach 2010 grant application collaboratively with Beaufort-Jasper Health Care System. In cooperation with the Low Country Area Health Education Center, Low Country Rural Health Care Systems, and the Allendale County Office on Aging, several monthly diabetes education programs have been held and MUSC medical students on Dean's Rotation at the Lowcountry Rural Health Center have completed diabetes-related projects. A brochure/flyer on diabetes care produced by one of these students with input from an ACA Health Task Force person is being used for diabetes education use all over South Carolina. (21)

In November ACA collaborated with DHEC, Rural Health Agencies and local agencies and organizations to submit a Rural Health Outreach Grant application. This program targets 9 areas of health concern, for persons of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. The grant to retain the Rural Health Center in Allendale County was received with support from Allendale County ALIVE.

The Education/Untrained Workforce Task Force gathered 2000 books and donated them to the Allendale County Schools, as the first step in their book drive. ACA facilitated the development of the One Stop Career Shop, now being developed by the Employment Security System. ACA brokered an agreement with Allendale County to provide a building to house the One Stop Career Shop. The OSCS is expected to open in late spring. The Allendale County Schools received a 21st Century Learning Grant with ACA support and ACA facilitated the development of the Allendale County Learning Center for technology training and communities access. We are actively working on First Steps in Allendale County.

Allendale County ALIVE applied for and received a planning grant from the Sisters of Charity Foundation to develop a Fatherhood Initiative program in Allendale County. This initiative targets absentee fathers and their children, their wives or significant others and their families and will involve projects linking different task forces.

The Infrastructure Task Force has been involved in development of a housing assessment study that has been received and is being implemented. The housing committee is working with the County Housing Commission on housing projects. The task force has worked with municipal and county government in a number of projects: a county industrial park grant, Fairfax water & sewer project, transportation study grant, Town of Allendale Comprehensive Plan, Courthouse project, airport runway replacement, safety zone acquisition and temporary terminal acquisition and support for emergency service projects. A Small Business Incubator feasibility study has been completed through a BellSouth grant to the Allendale County Chamber of Commerce.

The Infrastructure and Revitalization Task Forces held a joint meeting to compare their work plans and to discuss crossover projects. As a result of this meeting, Revitalization is working on projects that lead to economic development. The Revitalization Task Force completed the Lights at Salk project. The group held a groundbreaking ceremony and publicized the turning on of the lights on the walking area used by many community people on the USC Salkehatchie Campus. The committee is developing beautification and cleanup plans by working with municipalities and agencies. The Ulmer playground equipment was installed. A $20,000 grant to do a best use and structural integrity study for the Gildare-Warren Hotel restoration application has been submitted. This project plans to develop the hotel for retail shops, offices, a culinary institute, and a restaurant.

The accomplishment of these tasks in ACA's first year lays the foundation for the implementation of the second year's projects.

*Disclaimer Notice

Allendale County Alive Summary Page    Allendale County Alive Funding Page 

Main Map    EZ/EC Home Page