12 Community Projects Selected to Receive Stimulus Funds Through Commerce CDBG Program

COLUMBIA, S.C. – June 22, 2009 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that 12 Community Development Block Grant project applications have been selected to receive funding. The grant awards, selected by the Department of Commerce, are pending approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 12 projects selected to receive funds are expected, based on estimates provided by municipalities in project applications, to create or retain 456 jobs.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, administered by HUD, was appropriated $1 billion nationwide to carry out, on an expedited basis, eligible community development activities that are consistent with the purposes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). South Carolina’s CDBG Program, administered on a state level by the Department of Commerce, was allocated $5,922,241 through the ARRA based on HUD’s formula for the distribution of regular CDBG funds.

“Communities across the state have faced tough decisions about budgets in recent months, and whether to pursue projects that can positively impact community development and lay the ground work needed for economic development. The CDBG program provides a vehicle to address a variety of opportunities in areas most in need of assistance. The program has been successful in producing lasting and positive results for communities across the state and we are encouraged that these projects will generate meaningful results for communities throughout South Carolina,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

Based applications submitted, the Department of Commerce selected the following 12 projects for funding from the state’s CDBG allocation in the ARRA. These projects are pending HUD approval, which is estimated to be given to states by August 14.

City of Abbeville Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
Beaufort County Public Facility Energy Efficiency
City of Bennettsville Sewer Line and Pump Station Upgrade Phase II
City of Camden York Street Sewer Line Upgrade
City of Darlington Water Line Upgrade Phase IV
City of Georgetown Drainage Project
Town of Kingstree Sewer Upgrade Phase II – Lexington Avenue
City of Lancaster South Main Street Revitalization
City of Newberry Oakland Mill Water and Sewer Upgrade
Orangeburg County Edisto Sewer Extension Phase II
City of Pickens Public Facilities Energy Efficiency
Town of Turbeville Village Square Street Improvements

The Department of Commerce required that all project applicants sign a certification that projects submitted by municipalities would be under construction by November 30.

The goal of the State CDBG program is to support efforts to strengthen communities through improved public infrastructure and facilities, promoting sustainability and eliminating obstacles to economic competitiveness. In an effort to effectively target resources and ensure accountability, there is a focus on achieving project outcomes. Investments in specific projects must demonstrate feasibility, cost effectiveness and long term benefits which contribute to the CDBG goals of affordability and availability of services and sustainability for the community. Activities are targeted to communities which have high concentrations of low- and moderate-income households. Annually, Commerce receives a formula allocation of approximately $20 million for CDBG.

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