City of Georgetown receives $1.5 infrastructure grant for Willowbank area

The City of Georgetown was awarded a $ 1.5 million basic infrastructure grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) to help pay for the new Willowbank Watermain Improvements project. That project is set to begin in February or March of 2026 and consists of replacing nearly 8,64o linear feet of existing water lines with 6-inch PVC water mains, water services, valves and hydrants in the Willowbank neighborhood along the following streets: Palmetto, Cypress, Magnolia, Willowbank, Wood and Marshview Lane.

“The citizens benefit from such grants. It is important to search out grant opportunities for such major projects,” said Mayor Carol Jayroe in a statement released by the city.

RIA collaborates with local communities and other partners to maximize the impact of state grant dollars. These state grants are generally awarded twice a year through a competitive process that considers the need for improved public health, environmental protection, community sustainability and economic development.

Applications are selected by the RIA board based on criteria including severity of the problem, expected impact and project feasibility. Recipients share in the cost of infrastructure projects by paying for non-construction or other activities and, oftentimes, providing additional funds for construction. The application deadline for the next round of grants is March 23, 2026.

In addition to City of Georgetown, the Town of Andrews and the Rural Community Water District of Georgetown County received RIA grants, which were announced in November.