Grants awarded to improve 34 South Carolina communities
July 12, 2015
More than 30 communities across the state are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by nearly $16.3 million in funds from the latest round of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to the following municipalities, representing 20,468 residents, for the following projects:
“An investment in our infrastructure is an investment in South Carolina’s future,” said Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt. “As we continue our work at Commerce to maintain South Carolina’s reputation as a top place for business investment, these infrastructure projects will be a critical component to supporting our rural communities that have great potential for growth.”
Commerce awards CDBG funds in the fall and the spring of each year. Selected through a statewide competitive process, local governments receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least a 10 percent match in funding to complete the projects. Approximately 62 percent of the 20,468 citizens that will benefit from the improvements in this grant round are considered in low- to moderate-income residents. Additionally, 79 percent of funds awarded will directly impact residents in Tier II, III and IV counties, which are not considered to be “developed.”
Grant funds are allocated on an annual basis to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of 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- and moderate-income persons.
- Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.
- Meet other urgent community development 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.
*Note: only 31 grant awards are being made, but one of the projects benefits three additional towns.
For additional information on South Carolina’s CDBG program, including application guidelines and frequently asked questions, please visit www.cdbgsc.com. ~
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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. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgeston, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. 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. South Carolina ranked first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Locatioin International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com. |
