Community Development Block Grants Awarded to 31 South Carolina Communities August 26, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 26, 2008 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that $11.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been awarded to 31 communities across the state.  These projects will directly benefit more than 15,200 low- to moderate-income residents.

The Town of Heath Springs received $500,000 for water line improvements in the town.

"Our administration has consistently focused on bettering the economic soil conditions to promote business growth throughout the state and enhance opportunities for community and economic development," said Gov. Mark Sanford.  “These grants will help a number of communities address infrastructure development helping them to become more competitive in attracting jobs and new investment.”

Twenty-seven CDBG-funded projects will provide new public water or sewer service and improvements to existing deteriorated systems to ensure a suitable living environment.  The projects will result in water service that is safe, free of contamination and that provides adequate fire protection for residents.  Sewer system improvements will eliminate failing septic tanks and ensure that environmental standards are being met.

Four additional projects are designed to help improve the physical appearance and stabilize neighborhood property values through a program called “Paint the Town.”  “Paint the Town” is designed to make communities more economically competitive by improving the overall physical appearance and stabilizing neighborhood property values.  The program will make necessary repairs to facades and exteriors of low- and moderate-income occupied housing units within a concentrated neighborhood.

“The CDBG program is a great resource to address a variety of opportunities in areas most in need of assistance.  We are pleased that this year 31 communities and more than 15,200 residents will benefit from these grants,” said Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor. 

The projects receiving grants were selected through a statewide competitive process.  Communities receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least 25 percent matching funds. 

All grants awarded through the CDBG program must meet at least one of three objectives:

• Benefit low and moderate income persons.

• Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.

• Meet other urgent community development needs where existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to public health and welfare and where other financial resources are not readily available to meet such needs.

The grants funds are allocated annually to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  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 percent of the $11.4 million in funding will assist the state’s most-distressed and least-developed counties.