Staff Report
Published July 2, 2012
The South Carolina Department of Commerce on Friday announced that approximately $11 million in Community Development Block Grant funds have been awarded to 28 communities across the state.
“The CDBG program consistently has a positive impact on communities across our state that lack resources for community development. These resources not only help improve residents’ quality of life, but also help create a more competitive environment for bringing jobs and investment,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
The projects receiving grants were selected through a statewide competitive process. Communities receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least 10% matching funds.
To secure grant funding, communities must demonstrate how they will use grant funds to ensure healthy and safe neighborhoods. Projects will address improvements to water, sewer or drainage infrastructure, the S.C. Department of Commerce said.
Approximately 87% of the funds will be invested within counties that are not considered “developed.” In all, 10,000 low- to moderate-income households will benefit from improvements, the agency said.
The grants funds are allocated annually to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Department of Commerce administers the CDBG program for the state. The program assists communities in providing housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities. Grants are awarded to local governments to carry out a wide range of activities addressing housing and community development needs. More than 70% of the funding will assist the state’s lower income residents.
Community Development Block Grant funding
| S.C. community Aiken County — Graniteville water connections | Amount $198,639
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