Cheraw to receive $824,112 water infrastructure grant

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The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded an $824,112 grant to the town of Cheraw for water infrastructure improvements to protect businesses from floods and natural disasters.

The project, to be located near a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will also include $206,028 in local investment, according to a news release. Opportunity Zones are economically distressed communities where investments may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.

The Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments led planning efforts for the project, funded by 2019 disaster relief legislation which provided the EDA with $600 million in additional funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in 2018, as well as tornadoes and floods occurring in 2019.

“Ensuring businesses have adequate infrastructure in place to protect their assets and support future economic growth is vital,” Dana Gartzke, performing the delegated duties of the assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, said in the release. “Enhancing the resiliency of Cheraw’s water system following damage caused by Hurricane Florence will help businesses stay open after flood events, and the nearby Opportunity Zone will incentivize businesses to invest in the area and reinvigorate the local economy.”