Community Development Block Grants Awarded to 34 South Carolina Communities

COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 2, 2010 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that approximately $14.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been awarded to 34 communities across the state. These projects will directly benefit more than 16,000 residents.  A full list of grant recipients is listed below.

“The CDBG program is a resource with a track record of helping communities most in need. Thanks to this program, communities across the state will be able to improve water and sewer-related services, and in doing so improve their infrastructure for potential economic development,” said Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor.

Approximately 78 percent of the funds recommended will directly impact residents in distressed, least-developed and under-developed counties in South Carolina. More than half of the projects recommended for funding will address public health or safety issues or concerns, including contaminated wells, insufficient fire protection and unsafe wastewater treatment.

In all, 665 low- to moderate-income households will be connected to public water and 107 low- to moderate-income households will be connected to public sewer.

The projects receiving grants were selected through a statewide competitive process.  Communities receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least 10 percent matching funds. 

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.

The grants funds are allocated annually to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Department of Commerce administers the CDBG program for the state.  The program assists communities in providing housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities.  Grants are awarded to local governments to carry out a wide range of activities addressing housing and community development needs. 

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Community Development Block Grants will be awarded to the following communities:

Berkeley County – Burntwood Water Extension                                                   $495,375

Town of Blacksburg – Oak Grove Road Water Extension                                    $427,420

Town of Central – Head/Watkins Sewer Upgrade                                                 $500,000

Cherokee County – Norman Boulevard Water Extension                                      $278,600

City of Chester – Pinckney Street Water Upgrade                                                $500,000

City of Clinton – Lydia Waterline Upgrade Phase II                                              $475,102

Town of Clover – Roosevelt Area Water Upgrade                                                $500,000

City of Darlington – West Darlington Sewer Line Upgrade                                    $447,150

Town of Edgefield – Sewer Upgrade                                                                  $500,000

Town of Fairfax – Wastewater Pump Station Upgrade                                         $500,000

Greenwood County – Seaboard Sewer Upgrade Phase III                                    $500,000

Town of Harleyville – Pump Station Upgrade                                                      $144,250

City of Hartsville – South Hartsville Water Upgrade                                             $474,000

Town of Heath Springs – Water System Improvements                                        $500,000

Jasper County – Purrysburg Sewer Extension                                                     $500,000

City of Lake City – Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade                                     $500,000

Town of Lamar – McClendon Street Water Upgrade                                             $91,080

Lancaster County – Water System Improvements                                                $500,000

Laurens County – Tractor Road Waterline Extension                                            $248,000

Marlboro County – Grant Road Water Line Extension                                          $450,821

Town of Mayesville – Third Street Sewer Upgrade                                               $308,998

City of Mullins – Water Line Improvements                                                          $475,000

Town of Ninety Six – Duke/Allis Street Waterline Upgrade                                   $162,820

Town of Pamplico – Seven Mile Road Water Extension                                       $312,463

Town of Port Royal – Fort Frederick Sewer Extension                                         $308,250

Town of Prosperity – Forest Hills Sewer Upgrade                                                $500,000

Town of Saluda – Sewer Upgrades Phase II                                                        $500,000

City of Union – Union & Excelsior Mill Villages Sewer Improvements                    $500,000

Town of Varnville – Water Upgrade                                                                     $500,000

Town of Wagener – Water System Improvements                                                $500,000

City of Walhalla – Chicopee Mill Village Water Upgrade                                       $500,000

Williamsburg County – St. Mark Water Extension                                                $500,000

Town of Winnsboro – Sewer System Improvements                                            $433,720

Town of Yemassee – Sewer Collection Line Improvements                                  $500,000