Clemson, ECPI donate computers for new workforce development lab

Clemson Extension and ECPI University have donated 18 computers to the city of North Charleston for a computer training lab in the city’s Midland Park neighborhood.

The Midland Park Community Center and Computer Lab will be used for workforce development skills to create opportunities for neighborhood residents.

Cable installation was provided by Teleco Communications and high-speed Internet access by Comcast Cable in Charleston. The building for the center was donated by the city of North Charleston.

Community leaders expressed a need to improve the technical capabilities of the local population, said Harry Crissy, Clemson regional community and economic development agent for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.

With a six-computer general use area and 12-seat classroom, the center will be used to help local residents of the community develop computer skills.

“This project will help residents of Midland Park learn word-processing skills, and day-to-day computer applications such as email and the Internet,” Crissy said. “Put simply, the basic computers skills they learn at the lab will help them find jobs.”

The center at 7349 Stall Rd. in North Charleston is the second computer lab Clemson and its partners have opened in the city. The first, at the Gussie Greene Community Center, opened in May 2009. The group plans to open additional centers in communities across the three-county region, Crissy said.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey said the computer lab provides many with the opportunity to establish and expand important skills that will enable them to gain meaningful employment.

“In an age where information prevails, becoming computer literate and technologically savvy is invaluable,” Summey said. “I am very grateful for the many contributors to this project, and I am confident that the entire community will benefit from their generous deeds.”

Collaborators in the project are:

• City of North Charleston
• Rhonda Jerome
• S.C. Linux Users Group, Charleston
• Clemson Extension
• SClabs, a non-profit outreach aimed at creating free labs for in-need communities
• Clemson University Restoration Institute
• Clemson University Institute for Economic and Community Development
• Teleco Communications
• Caminos Nuevos, a non-profit outreach and education group
• Comcast Cable
• ECPI University, North Charleston

Green Grove Community Center ribbon cutting

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council Members cut the ribbon to the newly completed Green Grove Community Center, located at 2634 Bennett Yard Road.

With the facility's opening, it will became the City's 19th community center to come online. The City's 20th community center is currently under construction on Dorchester Road and is scheduled to open later in the spring.

Green Grove Community Center will be utilized for neighborhood association meetings, afterschool programming, senior activities, and will serve as a summer camp site.

City of North Charleston breaks ground on 20th community center

The City of North Charleston broke ground on its newest community center located adjacent to Doorway Baptist Church on Thursday, September 15, 2011.

Dorchester Road Community Center will become North Charleston’s 20th community center.  The center will be utilized for neighborhood association meetings, afterschool programming, senior activities, and will be a summer camp site.

Mayor Summey stated, “We are proud to begin construction on the latest addition to our inventory of community centers that dot the City.  This center is a terrific expansion of recreational and civic services offered to the citizens of our city and will help us meet the needs of the growing population of the upper Dorchester Road corridor.”

The 4,400 sq ft facility is expected to be completed in the Spring 2012.

North Charleston community garden pilot program

The City of North Charleston is establishing a community garden pilot program at four neighborhood community centers.



Gardens will be planted at the Miner Crosby, Liberty Hill, Northwoods, and Gethsemani Community Centers with each being maintained by the youth utilizing the centers.  Depending on the success and participation in these four gardens, the City of North Charleston hopes to expand the program.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “To further the sustainability efforts of the City of North Charleston, the young citizens of our community will be taught how to plant and nurture a garden and reap the benefits of their labors.  With poor food choices abound and the erosion of exercise in our daily lives, this initiative promotes healthy eating while increasing physical activity.”

Green Grove Community Center Ground Breaking

The City of North Charleston will broke ground on its newest community center at 2634 Bennett Yard Road on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

Green Grove Community Center will become North Charleston’s 19th community center.  The center will be utilized for neighborhood association meetings, afterschool programming, senior activities, and will be a summer camp site.

Prior to the ceremony, Mayor Summey stated, “The residents of Green Grove have always been involved in neighborhood activities, but have lacked a common location to gather.  This is a terrific expansion of recreational and civic services offered to the citizens of our city.”

North Charleston's Farmers Market Opens

The North Charleston Farmers Market will open April 22, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm at the Felix C. Davis Community Center in Park Circle, and will be open every Thursday until mid-October.

The City of North Charleston’s annual Farmers Market includes a number of local farmers and growers selling local produce, free-range poultry & beef, and locally caught seafood. In addition, local craft and food vendors will be on hand.

Each week the City’s Cultural Arts Department features a performance and/or artist to showcase. Tomorrow, April 22 at 3:45 pm, the Hanahan Elementary School hip-hop group will perform, followed by an artist demonstration.




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