Mayor Sedrick Smith and aldermen met with developer Clarence Chapman of Chartre Companies Ltd. on April 5 to discuss building public and affordable housing in the city of Charleston.
Chapman, of Oxford, is a major developer of housing projects, with over 5,000 residents in units across the Southeast.
Smith and aldermen expressed strong interest in both public and low-cost housing options for the city.
“Many of our citizens are interested in affordable housing options and we will certainly welcome Mr. Chapman and the Chartre Group to consider developments here,” Smith said.
Chapman said Charleston is an “attractive opportunity” for development and was impressed with the city’s focus on enrichment of community infrastructure.
The Chartre Companies Ltd. was invited to meet with city leaders by Meg Sinervo, executive director of the Ed and Becky Meek Foundation, and Dr. Ed Meek, who is a native of Charleston.
“Mayor Smith and I met with Milwaukee Tool in Grenada a few weeks ago,” said Meek, noting that the developer, manufacturer and marketer of power tools is building a plant on I-55 near Grenada that will employ 800 people.
“They plan a second plant of equal size in 18 months on I-55 and both need workers from the region,” he added.
“Our goal is to encourage the development of affordable housing at all levels for Charleston residents and to create an environment that will make available affordable housing to those who will move to Charleston and seek employment at Milwaukee Tool and other manufacturing operations,” Meek explained. “There is a great need for workers in the region and Charleston is in an excellent position to offer quality housing in support of job opportunities.”
Chapman asked city leaders to seek out members of the public who would be interested in, and qualify for, public housing as well as individuals interested in quality affordable housing. Residents interested in these options should contact Mayor Smith at City Hall.
