Rural Infrastructure Authority approves $12M in grants

Listen to this article

The S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved more than $12 million in grant assistance for 26 communities to improve water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure.

The second round of grants announced Tuesday brings the number of awarded projects in 2019 to 54, totaling $25.7 million.

“By laying the proper infrastructure foundation, local governments can prepare for a more sustainable future by ensuring reliable services for both existing and new customers,” RIA executive director Bonnie Ammons said in a news release.

The city of Columbia received a $137,218 grant to improve sewer infrastructure.

RIA grants are awarded twice a year through a competitive process that factors in public health, environmental, community sustainability and economic development concerns. Applications are chosen by the RIA board on criteria including severity of need, project feasibility and expected impact.

Grant recipients pay for non-construction activities related to the projects and often provide additional construction funds, according to the release.

The second round of 2019 RIA grant recipients are:

• Town of Allendale, water system improvements, $473,825
• Town of Andrews, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Aynor, drainage system upgrade, $650,000
• Town of Batesburg-Leesville, sewer system improvements, $800,000
• City of Beaufort, drainage system upgrade, $500,000
• City of Charleston, drainage system upgrade, $499,292
• Colleton County, economic sewer infrastructure, $500,000
• City of Columbia, economic sewer infrastructure, $137,218
• Darlington County Water and Sewer Authority, water tank improvements, $425,000
• City of Darlington, economic sewer infrastructure, $268,180
• Easley Combined Utilities, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Great Falls, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Greeleyville, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Heath Springs, sewer system improvements, $441,000
• City of Inman, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission, economic sewer infrastructure, $500,000
• Kershaw County and Lee County Regional Water Authority, water system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Kingstree, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Marlboro County/Marlboro Water Co., economic water infrastructure, $355,700
• McCormick Commission of Public Works, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• North Charleston Sewer District, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Oconee County, economic water and sewer infrastructure, $500,000
• City of Pickens, water line improvements, $320,000
• Saluda Commission of Public Works, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• City of York, water line improvements, $320,000