Grants awarded to improve 34 South Carolina communities

COLUMBIA, S.C. - More than 30 communities across the state are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by nearly $16.3 million in funds from the latest round of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to the following municipalities, representing 20,468 residents, for the following projects:

• City of Abbeville -- Calhoun Apartments Sewer Upgrade ($131,975)
• Anderson County -- LaFrance Mill Village Water Upgrade ($627,488)
• Town of Andrews -- Pump Station Upgrades ($650,800)
• City of Belton -- Stringer Street Sewer Upgrade ($200,000)
• City of Bennettsville -- Shady Rest Sewer Upgrade ($500,000)
• City of Camden -- Riverdale Water & Sewer Upgrade ($750,000)
• City of Chesnee -- Georgia Avenue Water Upgrade ($171,250)
• City of Clinton -- Lydia Mill Sewer Upgrade ($702,000)
• Colleton County -- Bama Road Drainage Improvements ($671,500)
• City of Denmark -- Booker/Mills Water Upgrade ($186,989)
• City of Easley -- West End Sewer Upgrade - Phase II ($650,000)
• City of Georgetown -- Highmarket & Duke Drainage Improvements ($1,000,000)
• Georgetown County -- Sampit Water Extension ($521,489)
• Greenwood County -- Stockman Sewer Upgrade ($750,000)
• Town of Hampton -- Jackson Street Sewer Line Upgrades ($666,814)
• City of Hardeeville -- Boyd Street Area Drainage Improvements ($624,000)
• Town of Harleyville -- E. Main/Church/S. Railroad Water Upgrades ($450,000)
• Town of Hemingway -- Railroad and Magnoloia Pump Station Upgrade ($639,980)
• City of Lake City -- Main Pump Station Upgrade ($500,000)
• City of Lancaster -- West Arch/Basin 17 Sewer Upgrade ($727,155)
• Lancaster County -- Erwin Farms/Basin 18 Sewer Upgrade ($663,000)
• Town of Lane -- Seaboard Road Sewer Extension ($348,432)
• Town of McColl -- Influent Pump Station Force Main Upgrade ($173,841)
• Town of Olanta -- Hood Water Extension & Interconnection ($401,940)
• Town of Pendleton -- Westinghouse Sewer Line & Pump Station Upgrade ($750,000)
• City of Pickens -- Anne Street Water Upgrade ($242,285)
• Pickens County -- Cateechee Village Water Upgrade ($133,913)
• Town of Scranton -- New Wells ($665,200)
• Sumter County -- Pearce Neighborhood Drainage Improvements ($749,647)
• City of Westminster -- Hampton Street Sewer Upgrade ($292,558)
• Williamsburg County -- Midway Water Extension ($743,719)

An investment in our infrastructure is an investment in South Carolina's future," said Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt. "As we continue our work at Commerce to maintain South Carolina's reputation as a top place for business investment, these infrastructure projects will be a critical component to supporting our rural communities that have great potential for growth." 

Commerce awards CDBG funds in the fall and the spring of each year. Selected through a statewide competitive process, local governments receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least a 10 percent match in funding to complete the projects. Approximately 62 percent of the 20,468 citizens that will benefit from the improvements in this grant round are considered in low- to moderate-income residents. Additionally, 79 percent of funds awarded will directly impact residents in Tier II, III and IV counties, which are not considered to be "developed."

Grant funds are allocated on an annual basis to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Commerce administers the CDBG program on the state's behalf. CDBG assists communities in providing housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities.

All grants awarded through the CDBG program must meet at least one of three objectives:

• Benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
• Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.
• Meet other urgent community development needs where existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to public health and welfare, and where other financial resources are not readily available to meet such needs.

*Note: only 31 grant awards are being made, but one of the projects benefits three additional towns.

For additional information on South Carolina's CDBG program, including application guidelines and frequently asked questions, please visit www.cdbgsc.com.