S.C. Department of Commerce awards more than $6.9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Eighteen communities from around South Carolina are receiving community development grant funds totaling more than $6.9 million for public improvement projects. This funding comes from the South Carolina Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which biannually awards grants to aid municipal governments for the purpose of improving economic opportunities and meeting community revitalization needs. The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) awards the CDBG funds which will directly benefit 44,160 residents and total $6,975,048.
Projects receiving Fall 2024 CDBG funding include:
| Community Enrichment | ||
|---|---|---|
| City of Chesnee | Demolition and Clearance | $733,275 |
| Chesterfield County | Health Department Parking Improvements | $433,545 |
| Darlington County | E. Lynches River Road Fire Substation | $100,000 |
| Town of Gifford | Demolition | $86,240 |
| City of Hartsville | Washington Street Sidewalks | $750,000 |
| City of Mullins | Demolition | $567,000 |
| City of Newberry | Wise Street Neighborhood Demolition | $362,500 |
| Newberry County | Whitmire Streetscape Improvements | $750,000 |
| Saluda County | Library Renovation | $750,000 |
| Town of Scotia | Drainage Study | $50,000 |
| Town of Winnsboro | Park/Drayton/Chalmers/N. Vanderhorst Sidewalks | $449,950 |
| Local Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town of Blackville | Community Pavilion | $300,000 |
| Town of Branchville | Pavilion and Tennis Court Improvements | $258,968 |
| Town of Elloree | Loyns Park Improvements | $251,570 |
| Town of Patrick | New Park | $276,000 |
| City of Seneca | Blue Ridge Park Improvements | $300,000 |
| Town of Varnville | Dr. H. J. Brooks Park Improvements | $229,000 |
| City of York | Lincoln Park Improvements | $300,000 |
“The CDBG program is an essential part of our community and economic development efforts to positively impact and promote growth in communities across South Carolina," said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. "These projects serve to greatly boost our residents’ quality of life – reinforcing South Carolina’s reputation as an exceptional place to work and live.”
Local governments receiving CDBG funds are required to provide at least a 10% match in funding to complete the projects, and all grants awarded through the program must meet at least one of three objectives:
- Benefit low- to moderate-income persons.
- Aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blighted conditions.
- Meet other urgent community 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.
Grant funds are allocated on an annual basis to South Carolina from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and S.C. Commerce administers the CDBG program on the state's behalf. For additional information on South Carolina's CDBG program, please visit www.cdbgsc.com.