City receives major transportation grant

Mayor Benjamin calls TIGER funding “A dream come true”

COLUMBIA, SC – Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin responded enthusiastically to an announcement earlier today by Congressman James E. Clyburn that the City of Columbia will receive will be receiving a highly sought after Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The grant will, worth $10,000,000, will provide funding to the city’s Seamless City Revitalization Project to revitalize a 1.27 mile project of North Main Street between Anthony and Fuller Avenues in support of the City of Columbia’s extensive downtown streetscaping initiative.

“Combined with the Transportation Penny, today’s announcement translates into a roughly $40 million investment in North Columbia,” said Mayor Benjamin. “That’s not just big deal, it’s a dream come true.”

“I want to thank Congressman Clyburn and Senator Graham along with city staff and everyone whose years of hard work made this day possible. Your determination and unshakable faith in what’s possible just paid off in a big way.”

“Revitalizing the North Main Corridor has been a mission of mine for years and this grant takes us one step closer to accomplishing that mission once and for all,” said District 1 Councilman Sam Davis.

Columbia was one of only two TIGER grants awarded in South Carolina.

“The announcement of the two grants is great news for our state. The City of Columbia and the port in Mount Pleasant will receive support to help boost the economy in both areas and assist in these individual projects,” Congressman Clyburn said in a release. “I am happy for both communities and look forward to seeing the progress both projects are able to make with this assistance. South Carolina is a wonderful state and this support allows us to get even better.”