More than $13M in RIA grants awarded statewide

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More than $13 million in grant funding for statewide municipal infrastructure projects has been awarded by the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority. 

The grant recipients include, for the first time, two planning studies as part of a new effort to support utilities' long-term viability, according to a news release. 

“Strategic investments in water, sewer and storm drainage infrastructure help bridge the gap between a system’s most critical needs and projects that build capacity for the future,” Bonnie Ammons, RIA executive director, said in the release. “These grants support both systems that require immediate attention as well as long-term projects that prepare utilities for changes in population, economic opportunities and regulatory requirements.”

Grants will be combined with more than $27 million in local and other funds to address health and environmental concerns and support economic development in 20 S.C. counties, benefiting more than 39,000 customers. 

RIA grants are awarded twice a year through a competitive process that factors in project need, feasibility and impact. Recipients pay for non-construction or other activities and often provide additional construction funds.

The first-round 2022 recipients are: 

• City of Abbeville, water line improvements, $500,000
• City of Anderson, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Awendaw, water system improvements, $157,500
• Charleston Water System, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Chester County, economic water and sewer infrastructure, $241,500
• City of Conway, sewer system improvements, $1,094,183
• Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority, water system improvements, $500,000
• City of Darlington, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Edisto Beach, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• City of Florence, water line improvements, $487,982
• Greenville Water, water line extension, $147,640
• Town of Hollywood, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Horry County/Bucksport Water System Inc., water line improvements, $484,440
• Kershaw County & Lee County Regional Water Authority, water system improvements, $430,500
• Lancaster County Water and Sewer District, economic sewer infrastructure, $2,000,000
• Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission, economic sewer infrastructure, $500,000
• Lexington County, economic sewer infrastructure, $436,875
• City of Manning, water system improvements, $500,000
• Town of McBee, water system improvements, $500,000
• Metropolitan Sewer Subdistrict, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Town of Moncks Corner, drainage system upgrades, $379,503
• City of Orangeburg, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• City of Pickens, water line improvements, $500,000
• Town of Ridgeland, planning, $30,000
• City of Simpsonville, sewer system improvements, $500,000
• Starr-Iva Water & Sewer, water line extension, $300,000
• City of Union, planning, $100,000