Chimney Sweep in Moncks Corner, SC

Another ribbon is cut and another home is dedicated on Hutchinson Lane in Moncks Corner. On Aug, 22, the keys were handed over to Kristina Young, a single mother who was, for years, living in a converted garage, according to Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County.

“We are honored to welcome the Young Family home,” said April Elswick, Volunteer Coordinator and Construction Project Manager of Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County. “Each home dedication is a celebration of community, hard work, and hope. This is what Habitat is all about – bringing people together to build homes, communities, and brighter futures.”

The newest home owner is Kristina Young, a single mother who, according to Habitat for Humanity, had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get her and her kids into a new home.

“I’m so excited for my kids to have their own room. I’m excited to cook in my own kitchen. But mainly, I’m excited that my kids will have their own space to be themselves and have their own areas,” said Young to the Habitat of Humanity of Berkeley County.

This home marks Berkeley Habitat's 4th home on Hutchinson Lane. And it wouldn’t happen without the volunteers and sponsors that include:

Coastal Community Foundation, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Mychael G. Smith, LLC, Lowcountry Current, Quoizel, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Moncks Corner Water Works, ADC Engineering, Shine Construction, Thorne, GJS Architecture, Lawrence Construction, Knight’s Companies, Bathfitter, Levolor, Whirlpool, Ring, and HDR | LOC.

Habitat has been busy. The last home dedicated on Hutchinson Lane was not that long ago in March of 2025. It was for a single homeowner who is admired by many in her community.

tephanie Smith was adopted at young age and lived in a home with 18 other siblings. Throughout her life was given challenges as her parents taught her life skills.

For the past 14-years she was been living with the help of a residential program for those with disabilities. But she had goals the first was to get a car and a driver’s license, she did that. The next one was to become a homeowner and on March 6, 2025, with the help from volunteers from Habitat for Humanity she was given the key to her new home.

The town of Moncks Corner has an ambitious Town Center Redevelopment Plan that includes an upgraded outdoor venue, energized park spaces, new residential areas and additional sites for local businesses.

Getting it going all hinged on the money that would come by being identified as a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. The tax is used to help areas affected by blight and stagnant economic growth to seed new development. The TIF decision has to be considered by the Berkeley County Council and the school district, which will be affected the most.

The process for the town of Moncks Corner was, no doubt, rigorous. After months of preparation, town administrators gathered data, brought in a development company to put together project drafts and proposals, ensuring all the required information was available and ready to go for its pitch to the county council. But at the meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, Moncks Corner struck out.

Council determined there were still many unanswered questions about the plan, and to allow it now without it being thoroughly explained would not be good government.

“I think we should acknowledge that it’s open for discussion, maybe in the future,” said council member Marshall West. “We could entertain it with a clear picture and a clear image of what the town was asking for, with a better timeline than we were on today.”

The plans included the development of 2.4 acres inside the town’s historic district. Two buildings were to be built, one valued at $13 million and another at $11 million. The town mentioned to the council that with all the new amenities, the county and the school district would be rewarded with the new tax revenue the plan would bring.

The town took the decision cordially and expressed that the efforts will continue. Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton said in a statement through text message that the denial was not all that unexpected.

“We were encouraged by their comments about further discussions to determine at what level and for which projects they are willing to participate,” he said. “We appreciate both the county’s and the school district’s responsibility to their constituents as partners in this important project and look forward to continuing the conversation as to how this project benefits all parties.”

Proposed zoning amendment, Moncks Corner, SC, August 19, 2025 (STYO)

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — The Moncks Corner Town Council had a first reading on Tuesday for a zoning amendment looking to create new development along U.S. Highway 52.

Developing company STYO is looking to turn 30.3 acres of land into a mixed-use development for residential housing, businesses, and recreation.

The parcel of land is along U.S. 52, across from Berkeley Electric Cooperative. It is currently zoned as Planned Development - Commercial. The application looks to rezone the land to Planned Development.

The development, called Village Square, would be broken into three districts.

'The Cottage District' would be exclusively for residential, single-family detached homes with a maximum of 80 units, and a minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet.

'The Market Village' is a mixed-use district for a variety of residential and business purposes. According to the Planned Development (PD) in the city council's agenda packet, "Permitted uses include residential, hotel, restaurant, bar, retail, financial, fitness, service, and office activities. Commercial uses that are not permitted include tobacco and vape stores, adult stores, convenience stores, pawn shops, gas stations, and storage units."

'The Civic Park' district is described as an asset to Moncks Corner's community and would be dedicated to the town upon completion. The district includes two ballfields, basketball courts, pavilions, and more.

Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr. spoke positively of the plan, noting the town's current need for more recreational space for the growing population.

"We need rec," Hamilton Jr. said. "Next spring, we're looking at restricting how many kids we can sign up because we're out of room. So, projects that bring something like two ball fields, basketball, pavilion, and bathrooms that all residents can use, I can get behind. So, I think it's a high-quality project."

Community Development Director Justin Westbrook, who presented the PD to council, says the developer is looking to implement design and architecture that is quality, "uniquely Moncks Corner, and overwhelmingly Lowcountry," and not considered run-of-the-mill.

"This council and myself we take development very seriously," said Hamilton Jr. "We don't want to grow just to grow, we want to grow right. We want to grow where our citizens have something of value. Not just a bunch of traffic... You can't stop all growth, but we can pick projects that are good for the town of Moncks Corner."

Town staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval; the council unanimously approved the first reading.

No timeline for the development was mentioned in Tuesday's meeting.

South Carolina law requires local governments to conduct at least two public hearings before entering a development agreement.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) - A Moncks Corner church is doing the Lord’s work through fellowship and community outreach as kids head back to school.

At Trinity Church’s annual Back-to-School Bash, senior pastor Gerald Footman says they handed out over 350 stuffed backpacks of school supplies to kids and dozens of kits to teachers they received from donations from community partners.

Through partnering with Westview Elementary, Berkeley Middle and Berkeley High Schools, kids who couldn’t show up on Saturday even got some supplies of their own.

But a new component they added this year to the bash was free haircuts for the kids.

“I was impressed to see how many stylists and barbers showed up,” Trinity Church director of Christian education Shamira Thomas said. “And people are patiently waiting. The amount of supplies that was donated from our community partners has been awesome.”

Nine barbers and stylists, who are members of the church, gathered in front of the pews in stations to braid, buzz and cut hair. Event organizers say they have probably given a fresh ‘do to around 200 kids.

Gerald Footman says that for families with up to five kids, it could cost around $150 or more for everyone to get haircuts. And they wanted to make sure kids were getting cleaned up before the first day at no extra charge.

Outside of the church, the community partners were set up in tents talking to the kids and playing music.

“We wanted to provide them with just some additional strategies and resources, ways to cope with the anxiety of starting school,” Thomas said.

One of the partners was the nonprofit G.A. Footman Foundation. Its executive director, Arnell Footman, says they provide education opportunities and health and wellness programs.

She gets emotional reflecting on all the work that’s been done for this event.

“I am really overwhelmed,” Arnell Footman said. “The power of God has moved here today. Not just in the light of the people actually impacted and kind of came together to make this event happen. But for the parents who came out to bring their kids.”

Gerald Footman says it’s all done with God at the center.

“I believe we’re doing what the good book said,” Gerald Footman said. “Be help as one another, now I’m paraphrasing it, be help as one another in the community. It is all about giving back, and I just want to think not just me, but my church, my church family, who understand the vision.”

For those who couldn’t come to Saturday’s bash, Trinity Church hosts other events throughout the year. Staff also invite anyone to come out and worship with them on Sunday mornings.

Click here to follow their social media or call 843-761-7969 to learn more.