11 South Carolina Communities Receive Community Development Block Grants

COLUMBIA, SC – January 5, 2012  – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that approximately $2.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been awarded to 11 communities across the state. These projects will benefit more than 23,000 residents.  A full list of grant recipients is listed below. 

“The CDBG program consistently has a positive impact on communities across South Carolina. These resources not only help improve residents’ quality of life, but also help create a more competitive environment for bringing jobs and investment,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce. 

This round of CDBG funding focused on two programs for grants. The Community Enrichment program has three objectives – enhancing workforce development, addressing community health and safety concerns and eliminating obstacles to economic development.The Village Renaissance program is designed to identify significant needs within a low- or moderate-income neighborhood and work to comprehensively plan and implement improvements that will help revitalize the area and create more sustainable communities. 

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 people.
• Aid in eliminating or preventing poor neighborhood conditions.
• Meet urgent community needs where there are threats to public health and welfare, and where other financial resources are not available.

The grant 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.  More than 70 percent of the funding will assist the state’s lower income residents. 
 
Community Development Block Grants will be awarded to the following communities:
 
Community Enrichment Program
Town of Aynor – Levister School Demolition                                                       $89,482
Berkeley County – St. Stephen Library Renovation                                              $500,000
City of Greenwood – Mill Clearance                                                                    $500,000
City of Lancaster – South Main Street Improvements Project – Phase II                $500,000
Town of Sellers – Library and Resource Center                                                   $50,000
 
Village Renaissance Program
City of Bennettsville – Southwest Neighborhood Village Renaissance Study        $25,000
Town of Blackville – Blackville Village Renaissance Plan                                     $24,750
City of Hartsville – Oakdale Village Renaissance – Phase II                                 $500,000
Town of Moncks Corner – Wall Street Village Renaissance Plan                           $25,000
Union County – Ottaray Mill Village Renaissance Plan                                         $25,000
Town of Whitmire – Old Mill Village Renaissance Plan                                         $25,000