20220809-RD-LSC-0457
From right, Beaufort County Library Director Amanda Dickman talks to U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development RD staff about the award-winning bronze sculpture “On the Way to Market., by artist Alex Palkovich, during a tour of the St. Helena Branch Library on August 9, 2022, at St. Helena Island, SC. The sculpture depicts an African-American woman with a basket full of vegetables balanced adeptly on her head. It sands near the unique free-standing Gullah-Geechee Room. This branch was built in 2012 and is the newest facility in the Beaufort County Library system. The 30,000-square-foot facility brings state-of-the-art technology, public internet computers, a media lab, sound lab, computer lab, large meeting room, and conference room. The branch offers programs for learners of all ages residing in the rural St. Helena Island community. The free-standing Gullah-Geechee Room design is inspired by the handmade woven sweetgrass baskets of the region. Inside, it provides interactive resources to learn about the area's culture. The library is adjacent to the historic Penn Center. The project cost was $10,000,000 and was made possible by a collaboration of the funding of state and federal agencies. The funds include a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development provided Community Facilities direct loan of $6,000,000, a USDA RD Community Facilities grant of $2,500,000, and a South Carolina Department of Commerce grant of $1,500,000. USDA media by Lance Cheung.
For more information about the Community Facilities Loans and Grants Program, please go to rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program