USDA-funded projects create economic opportunity in underserved rural South Carolina communities

Announcement Also Includes Unveiling of New Resources to Ensure Access to Federal Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development South Carolina State Director Dr. Saundra Glover today announced over $587,000 in grant projects that will help improve housing and economic conditions for underserved rural South Carolina communities.

The investments are part of President Biden’s commitment to advance equity for all, including those who have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

Our Housing Preservation Grant Program (HPG) provides funds to qualified organizations to repair or rehabilitate housing occupied by very-low and low-income families in eligible rural areas,” Glover said.  “This investment announcement will help over 50 families make improvements or much needed repairs to their homes, will help create economic opportunities for those families, and will help to improve underserved communities in rural South Carolina, which benefits everyone.”

For example, in South Carolina:

• The Town of Cheraw is receiving $199,817 to assist very-low-income homeowners with a variety of home repairs and improvement projects. This project is expected to benefit between 9 to 12 households.
• Allendale County Alive is receiving $100,000, which is estimated to assist up to ten households located in Allendale County, to repair their homes or complete home improvement projects.
• Vision by Design, located in Clarendon County, is receiving $90,000 to assist very-low-income homeowners, which will entail a variety of home repairs and improvement projects for owner-occupied homes.
• Horry County W&S is receiving $198,817, which is expected to benefit 20 households located in Horry County with their home repairs and improvement projects.

New Web Resources for Rural Communities

USDA Rural Development today also unveiled two new web resources that underscore the agency’s mission to ensure all people have equitable access to federal programs.

A new history webpage traces USDA Rural Development’s evolution from the Great Depression and New Deal to the present, highlighting the many ways the agency supports efforts to create prosperity in rural communities.

One of the agency’s more recent initiatives, the Rural Partners Network (RPN), has brought together a coalition of 24 federal agencies that offer programs and funding designed specifically for rural communities.

A new feature on Rural.gov makes it easier to find these federal resources in one place. The Find Programs and Opportunities tool includes hundreds of millions of dollars in financing and technical assistance opportunities that are easy to search, filter and find.

The information will help people in rural areas access funding for a variety of business, health care, housing, community and economic development needs.

Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.