Town Offers Grants for Tree Planting

The Public Services Department is reminding residents of a tree bank program available to civic clubs, groups or individuals who want to beautify or enhance Mount Pleasant by planting trees. The Public Services Department coordinates the distribution and collection of applications and submits them to the Pride Committee for review and approval. The deadline for this cycle is January 16.

The primary criterion for selection is impact. The applications favorably selected are submissions and those impacting the greatest number of Mount Pleasant residents. The grant primarily provides funds for the planting of canopy trees.

The program is a matching grant program. The Town provides 50 percent of the cost of planting trees. The cost-share grant varies between $500 and $1,000 and applications are accepted twice a year (January/February and September/October). Recommendations are forwarded to the Public Services Committee of Council, and later on to Council, for review and approval.

The grant recipient must first pay all costs and complete the project before receiving reimbursement from the Town. A Public Services employee will verify compliance with the program, perform a site inspection and issue reimbursement funds. In most cases, the applicant is responsible for the watering and maintenance of the trees. Projects located within South Carolina Department of Transportation’s rights-of-way may qualify to be maintained by the Town.

“It is an excellent way for homeowners’ associations to plant trees with a matching grant. This program will boost our green space and help us achieve the appearance we are looking for the town,” commented Public Services Director Jody Peele.

Parties interested in pursuing grant funding may call the Public Services Department at 849-2022 or view the tree bank application online.