Grants awarded to improve 13 SC Communities

Communities across the state are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by nearly $4.5 million in funds from the latest round of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds to these 13 communities, representing more 38,000 residents. One of these projects is in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina; the Town of Pendleton is slated to receive $500,000 for Mechanic Street Streetscape. “The CDBG program consistently has had a positive impact on communities across our state, providing millions of dollars in funding for community development, stronger infrastructure and improvements to state residents’ quality of life,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “Through these community improvements, we continue to create a more competitive environment in our state and promote what makes South Carolina ‘Just right.'” Approximately 57% of the more than 38,000 citizens that will benefit from the improvements in this grant round are considered low- to moderate-income residents. Commerce awards CDBG funds in the fall and the spring of each year. Selected through a statewide competitive process, local governments receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least a 10% match in funding to complete the projects. Grant funds are allocated on an annual basis to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Commerce administers the CDBG program on the state’s behalf. CDBG assists communities in providing housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities. 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 or 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.