More than $13 million in infrastructure grants approved

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The S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved more than $13 million in grants for 27 water, sewer and storm drainage projects throughout the state.

The grants will be combined with more than $25 million in other local, state and federal funds to address health and environmental concerns and replace outdated infrastructure, according to a news release from the agency. RIA has awarded $26.1 million in infrastructure improvement funds this fiscal year.  

“Now more than ever, the RIA is committed to helping communities achieve long-term sustainability in water and sewer infrastructure,” Bonnie Ammons, the organization’s executive director, said in the release. “This is not a new concept. Our grant program often helps to address the most critical needs of a system. But we are also striving to develop targeted, forward-looking strategies to work together with utilities to build a stronger future.”

The fiscal year 2021 projects will benefit more than 81,000 customers in 32 counties, including area businesses and industry, according to the release. More than 70% of the projects target improvements in rural areas.

RIA grants are awarded twice a year through a competitive process that factors in needs for improved public health, environmental protection, community sustainability and economic development. Projects selected by the RIA board are based on criteria including severity of the problem and project feasibility, while grant recipients pay for non-construction activities and often provide additional construction funds.

The latest grant recipients are:

• Aiken County/Breezy Hill Water & Sewer Co., $500,000, water line improvements
• City of Bennettsville, $498,759, water system improvements
• Calhoun County, $500,000, water line improvements
• Town of Carlise, $2 million, sewer system improvements
• Town of Chapin, $500,000, sewer system improvements
• Clarendon County, $500,000, sewer system improvements
• Town of Eastover, $135,000, water system improvements
• Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority, $167,250, economic water infrastructure
• Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority, $500,000, water system improvements
• Georgetown County, $100,000, water system improvements
• City of Georgetown, $403,178, sewer system improvements
• Greenwood Metropolitan District, $500,000, sewer system improvements
• Town of Jackson, $188,351, water line improvements
• Kershaw County, $800,000, economic sewer infrastructure
• Lowcountry Regional Water System, $400,000, economic sewer infrastructure
• Lowcountry Regional Water System, $500,000, economic water infrastructure  
• Lowcountry Regional Water System, $420,000, sewer system improvements
• Marlboro County/Wallace Water Co., $500,000, water system improvements
• City of Mauldin, $500,000, sewer system improvements
• Newberry County Water & Sewer Authority, $279,750, sewer system improvements
• City of Newberry, $468,188, water system improvements
• North Charleston Sewer District, $500,000, sewer system improvements
• Town of Pageland, $181,962, economic water and sewer infrastructure
• Southside Rural Community Water District, $259,048, water line improvements
• Startex-Jackson-Wellford-Duncan Water District, $450,000, economic water infrastructure
• Town of Turbeville, $500,000, water system improvements
• City of Union, $857,750, economic sewer infrastructure