$10 Million Grant Awarded for Hampton County Water and Sewer Improvements

June 04, 2025

$10 Million Grant Awarded for Hampton County Water and Sewer Improvements

HAMPTON, S.C. – Hampton County plans for the future with a $10 million grant that has been awarded to the Lowcountry Regional Water System (LRWS). The grant funding is provided by the South Carlina Rural Infrastructure Authority through the S.C. Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP) using federal funds allocated by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Hampton County is providing $449,000 from the Rural Initiative Grant Program through the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC). Lowcountry Regional Water System will provide approximately $1.3 million for the estimated $11.7 million project.

The project consists of a new one-million-gallon elevated tank near the entrance to the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus and a 16” water main extension along the Hwy 68 corridor.

Brian Burgess, General Manager of the Lowcountry Regional Water System stated, “We are fortunate to receive the grant award and appreciate Hampton County’s contribution and support. This project serves as part of LRWS’s mission to improve the quality of life and provide for economic development opportunities in the region.”

A total of 216 SCIIP grants were awarded, out of more than 300 applications, to local governments and public water and sewer utilities across South Carolina. Selection criteria included relative needs and priorities, the transformational impact on communities, readiness to proceed, project feasibility, ability to provide 15% in matching funds, and geographic diversity concerning distribution across the state. Funding will go a long way in protecting the quality of life and addressing long-term sustainability and providing new opportunities for growth development and job creation.

“We are fortunate to have great partners in Hampton County and at the Lowcountry Regional Water System that recognize the critical role infrastructure plays in economic development and the importance of working together to make great things happen,” said Danny Black, President and CEO of the SouthernCarolina Alliance (SCA). “By providing the much-needed infrastructure improvements at the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus, the park will become more attractive to prospective industries looking to create jobs here in our region.

The project will provide much needed infrastructure improvements to support existing and future industry that is critical to Hampton County’s ability to attract new industries that will provide jobs for the citizens of the region.

Rocky Hudson, Chairman of the Lowcountry Regional Water System commented, “It is exciting to see this impressive project in construction. I appreciate all the hard work that our staff put into securing the grant funds to make this project a reality. It goes to show you when we work together as a team, we can make good things happen.”

Varnville Mayor Nathaniel Shaffer commented, “Without the creation of the Lowcountry Regional Water System, a project this size would not have been possible. Without a doubt, one of the best things to ever happen in Hampton County was the formation of the Lowcountry Regional Water System.”

About Lowcountry Regional Water System:

The mission of the Lowcountry Regional Water System is to provide the Lowcountry Region’s water needs to improve quality of life, economic development, and improve the viability of providing safe, clean, and reliable water services to the citizens of the region.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Brian Burgess at 1-803-943 1006 or email at Brian.Burgess@lowcountrywater.com.