Washington, DC- Congressman Tom Rice (R-SC) announced six grants awarded within the Seventh Congressional District of South Carolina:

The City of Conway, South Carolina received $6,000,000 from the Economic Development Administration to fund CRITICAL wastewater system infrastructure upgrades. This is one of the single largest grants that the City of Conway has ever received. These upgrades will protect local businesses and allow for new development in the area by eliminating overflow during flood events. By making the system more resilient to weather events, the city and county will be able to continue to attract new industries to the area.

The City of Dillon, South Carolina received a grant of $1,324,736 from the Economic Development Administration to fund wastewater system improvements to meet the critical need for updates to two exposed 20” force mains currently located on an abandoned bridge deck parallel to Highway 9 in Dillon County, South Carolina, a designated Opportunity Zone. These improvements will help attract new industry to the area by decreasing the likelihood of water service interruptions. 

The City of Georgetown, South Carolina received a grant of $3,365,409 from the Economic Development Administration to make upgrades to the stormwater system serving the City of Georgetown’s Historic District. Once completed, the improvements will help prevent disruptions in the utility stormwater and wastewater systems, which will decrease the likelihood of severe flooding during future storms, promote resiliency, and strengthen the regional economy.   

Georgetown County, South Carolina received $3,467,905 from the Economic Development Administration to make stormwater system improvements for the East Andrews area in Georgetown, South Carolina, a partially designated Opportunity Zone. Once completed, the project will help the region to diversify its economy, making it more resilient to various environmental or financial shocks and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.

Francis Marion University received $699,279 from the Economic Development Administration to upgrade the drainage/stormwater management infrastructure on the main campus in Florence, South Carolina. The strengthening of the stormwater drainage system will allow the university to serve its workforce and academic development mission. Once completed, the project will create jobs, mitigate the effects of natural disasters, and strengthen the regional economy.

Santee Electric Cooperative, Inc. received $2,494,758 from the Economic Development Administration to fund roadway and electrical system improvements by constructing a substation to serve a distribution center in Florence, South Carolina, a designated Opportunity Zone. Once completed, the project will improve the region's ability to attract and retain employers by improving the reliability and availability of critical infrastructure such as electrical service and large truck accessibility for industrial areas, which will help the region to diversify its economy, making it more resilient to various environmental or financial shocks.

“These grants address two Seventh District priorities- disaster preparedness and job creation. I am proud my team had a hand in securing these grants for our communities. They will support improved critical water infrastructure to better prepare for future storms and allow for continued economic growth in the Seventh District,” said Congressman Rice.