Grants Awarded to Improve 21 South Carolina Communities

December 04, 2019

Grants awarded to improve 21 South Carolina communities
S.C. Department of Commerce awards $7 million in Community Development Block Grant funds

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Twenty-one communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $7 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The S.C. Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to these communities, representing more than 43,000 residents, for the following projects:

City of Bishopville - Harlem/Blue Pond Neighborhood Demolition  - $426,500
City of Chesnee - S. Alabama Streetscape Improvements - $500,000
Town of Great Falls - Neighborhood Demolition - $500,000
City of Greenwood - Westside Neighborhood Demolition - $177,571
Hampton County - Senior Center Accessibility/Energy Efficiency Improvements - $299,520
Town of Johnston - Fire Truck  - $454,545
Lancaster County - DSS Building Renovation - $500,000
Town of Mayesville - Demolition - $494,500
City of Newberry - West End Neighborhood Demolition - $475,000
Town of Nichols - School Demolition - $359,400
City of Seneca - School Demolition - $500,000
City of Union - Neighborhood Demolition - $500,000
Town of Williston - Elko Street Neighborhood Demolition - $198,000
Town of Yemassee - Demolition - $157,500
Fairfield County - Zion Hill/Fortune Springs Park Neighborhood Revitalization - $487,568
Town of St. George - Uptown/Little Harlem Neighborhood Revitalization - $226,548
Town of Atlantic Beach - Park Improvements - $150,000
City of Chester - Community Pavilion - $150,000
Town of Edgefield - Park Improvements - $150,000
City of Woodruff - Demolition and Park Improvements - $150,000
City of York - Park Improvements - $150,000

"The CDBG program continues to be an invaluable asset to economic development efforts in communities across South Carolina," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. "With this resource, and the public projects it affords, our state's residents enjoy an improved quality of life, which is the hallmark of South Carolina as an ideal destination for business." 

S.C. Commerce awards CDBG funds in the fall and the spring of each year. Selected through a statewide competitive process, local governments receiving CDBG funds are required to provide at least a 10 percent match in funding to complete the projects. 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. 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-to moderate-income persons.
Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting 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.

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

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State was among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment on a per capita basis in 2018 - extending its streak of top five finishes since 2011. Additionally, the state has won the Gold or Silver Shovel Award from Area Development magazine every year since 2011; and, in 2017, the state was recognized as Business Facilities' State of the Year.

For more information, visit  www.SCcommerce.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alex Clark, CMP
Director of Marketing & Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
aclark@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com 

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