Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

By Autumn Klein, Community Engagement Strategist 

Mount Pleasant, SC (May 14, 2026) – The Town of Mount Pleasant celebrated the groundbreaking of the Mugsy Kerr Tennis Complex Expansion project, a major investment for a valued recreational space that will continue to serve as a quality amenity for residents. 

This project will expand the existing Mugsy Kerr Tennis Complex with the addition of four new hard courts, two clay courts and more restroom facilities. This expansion will also include improvements to ADA accessibility to better serve all members of the community. The facility is named after Mugsy Kerr, a former Mount Pleasant councilmember who shared an immense amount of passion and support for the town’s recreation department and tennis programs. Kerr’s dedication to recreation and the impact she made on the town will continue to be honored for years to come through this facility. 

At Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Recreation Director TJ Rostin was joined by councilmembers Howard Chapman, Alex Crosby, Jake Rambo, Kathryn Whitaker and Mike Tinkey as well as other project leaders and construction partners. Mugsy Kerr was in attendance alongside her family members as well as April Gift, with the United States Tennis Association. 

“We are proud to have the support of the USTA and the Lowcountry Tennis Association. This project would not be possible without the support of our community members, staff members, local partners, contractors, and all of those involved,” said Chair of the Health, Recreation and Events Committee Councilman Jake Rambo. “It is important that we continue investing in our recreation facilities and providing high-quality amenities that residents of all ages can enjoy for years to come. This expansion reflects our commitment to supporting the Town’s Recreation Department and enhancing opportunities for health, wellness, and community connection through recreation. Thank you to everyone for your support, we are very excited to get this project started.”

This project is anticipated to reach substantial completion by January 2027.

You can stay up to date with the Mugsy Kerr Tennis Complex Expansion on the project page linked here. 

Source: Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

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By JEFFREY COLLINS and DAVID A. LIEB – Associated Press

A debate over congressional redistricting is shifting to South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An effort to reshape South Carolina’s congressional districts will get its first full airing Monday in the state House, as lawmakers launch a lengthy and potentially testy discussion on whether to accede to President Donald Trump’s desires for a U.S. House map that could yield a clean sweep for Republicans.

Tense debates already have played out in Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana as Republicans push aggressively to leverage a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened Voting Rights Act protections for minority districts. The ruling has opened the way for Republicans to redraw districts with large Black populations that have elected Democrats.

In South Carolina, that means targeting a seat long held by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the only Democrat among the state’s seven representatives in the House.

Clyburn has said he has no intention of retiring, even if his district gets changed. He told reporters last week in Washington that he has addresses in Columbia, Charleston and Santee, adding: “I live in three districts. I’ll decide which one to run in.”

“It ain’t about Jim Clyburn’s district,” he said. “This isn’t about voting. This is about turning the clock back to Jim Crow 2.0.”

Early voting is scheduled to begin May 26 for South Carolina’s statewide primaries on June 9. In addition to redrawing congressional districts, legislation pending in the state House would move the U.S. House primaries to August. If it clears the House, the legislation then must go to the Senate.

Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who called lawmakers into a special session on redistricting, said it is important for South Carolina to send as many Republicans to Washington as possible to try to prevent Democrats from taking control of the House and attempting to impeach Trump.

But some Republicans have expressed concern that an attempt to draw 7-0 House map for the party could spread Republican voters too thin, making some existing Republican-held districts susceptible to Democratic victories.

Republicans are ahead in the national redistricting battle thus far. Since Trump urged Texas Republicans to redistrict last year, Republicans think they could gain as many as 15 seats from new House maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. Democrats, meanwhile, think they could gain six seats from new maps in California and Utah. But litigation is ongoing in some states, and voters will have the final say on who wins.

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Source: Associated Press – Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri. Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed from Washington.

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By Matt Swayne

Insider Brief

• Clemson University is expanding South Carolina’s quantum computing capabilities through a $650,000 initiative supporting the Scalable High-Performance and Quantum Computing Systems Lab, with a focus on improving how quantum software performs on real hardware. 
• The funding includes $250,000 for student-led quantum and machine learning research, $150,000 for multi-year Quantathon events, and $250,000 to establish a long-term statewide student quantum club network. 
• The initiative builds on South Carolina’s earlier $15 million investment in quantum information science and aims to strengthen both the state’s technical research capacity and future quantum workforce pipeline.

PRESS RELEASE — Clemson University is advancing South Carolina’s quantum research capacity through a $650,000 initiative supporting the Scalable High-Performance and Quantum Computing Systems Lab (ScaLab), an effort focused on improving how quantum programs are optimized and executed on real hardware.

Led by Dr. Rong Ge, ScaLab focuses on improving how quantum software runs on real machines. Quantum computers operate very differently from traditional systems, and writing programs that perform efficiently on physical devices remains a central challenge in the field. The lab develops tools that help adapt software to the unique constraints of quantum hardware, improving reliability and performance in real-world settings.

The project supports core research, talent development, and statewide capacity building. Of the total investment:

• $250,000 supports graduate and undergraduate research within ScaLab, enabling hands-on work in quantum computing and machine learning tied directly to active research outputs.
• $150,000 funds multi-year Quantathon events over a three-year period, creating structured, applied learning environments where students engage real computational challenges aligned with emerging quantum and hybrid systems research.
• $250,000 establishes a Statewide Student Quantum Club with sustained funding over a projected seven- to eight-year runway, creating a durable network that connects students, faculty, and institutions while strengthening long-term participation in quantum research and workforce pathways.

The initiative builds on South Carolina’s earlier statewide investment in quantum information science and technology. In 2023, state leaders committed $15 million to coordinate quantum readiness across institutions and industries. ScaLab reflects a continued shift toward sustained, project-based research that strengthens technical depth while building the human infrastructure necessary for long-term quantum capability in the state.

“As quantum hardware matures, performance increasingly depends on how well software is adapted to the physical system,” said Dr. Rong Ge, director of ScaLab. “By integrating physics-informed machine learning into the compilation process, we are improving how quantum programs run in practice while training students to contribute meaningfully to this rapidly evolving field.”

Through research collaboration and statewide engagement, ScaLab positions Clemson as a contributor to the evolving software and systems layer of quantum computing while strengthening South Carolina’s quantum ecosystem.

More information about ongoing quantum initiatives in South Carolina can be found at scquantum.org.

Source: Quantum Insider

What does this mean for you:

• Creates the world’s largest regulated electric utility business by market capitalization and one of the world’s largest energy infrastructure companies with an unmatched operating platform benefiting customers
• Combined company’s customers will benefit over time from its enhanced scale in operations, procurement, construction and financing, enabling it to more cost-effectively meet increased electric demand for approximately 10 million customer accounts
• Driving affordability through proposed $2.25 billion in bill credits spread over two years post-close for Dominion Energy’s customers in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and enhanced operating and capital efficiency over the long term
• Companies to maintain dual headquarters in Florida and Virginia and operational headquarters in South Carolina, while providing robust employee protections and enhanced charitable giving
• NextEra Energy expected to improve its existing credit rating thresholds, while Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Virginia expected to benefit from improved ratings and related reductions in financing costs, further helping keep customer bills more affordable
• All-stock transaction is expected to be tax-free to shareholders and immediately accretive at closing to adjusted earnings per share
• Combined company operations will be more than 80% regulated with a focus on four of the fastest-growing states in the country, supporting expected 11% annual growth in regulatory capital employed
• The combined company will benefit from the industry’s most diversified growth platform, driving 9%+ adjusted earnings per share growth expectations through 2032

Source: Dominion Energy

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The Charleston Police Department arrested a suspect following a shooting that occurred on King Street near Burns Lane on May 17, 2026, at around 2:30 a.m.

Officers responded to the area and located three victims with gunshot wounds. One victim later died, while two uninvolved bystanders were struck by gunfire and are expected to survive. Detectives determined the suspect opened fire following a brief argument outside Gilroy’s Pizza Pub before fleeing the scene.

Multiple tourniquets and bandages were applied by several of the responding officers. CPD was also assisted by the Mount Pleasant Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and College of Charleston Public Safety. 

Following the investigation, police identified and arrested the shooter. Andre Ramon Nesbit (35, of Charleston) is charged with murder, 2 counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. 

Mayor William Cogswell said, “I am grateful to Chief Walker and the Charleston Police Department for their swift and professional response. A suspect is in custody, and that is the result of a department that is well-trained, well-led, and deeply committed to the safety of this city.

To anyone who thinks they can bring this kind of violence to our streets: you will be found, you will be arrested, and you will face the full weight of the law. We have zero tolerance for those who come here to harm our residents and visitors, and Chief Walker and this department have made that abundantly clear.”

 “Gunfire is never and will never be an acceptable way to settle a disagreement,” said Chief Chito Walker. “At this point in the investigation, we know this was not random, and it was not caused by the victims. This violence happened because of the suspect’s choices. One person is dead, two others were shot, and families are now carrying pain that no arrest can undo.

I remain thankful for the officers, detectives, crime scene investigators, and our law enforcement partners who worked through the night and into the day to identify and arrest the suspect. Their work was focused, urgent, and relentless.

This arrest is an important first step, but it is not the end. We will continue working with prosecutors and supporting the victims and their families as this case moves forward.”

Source: Charleston Police Department

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By Dona J. Fraser – Senior Vice President, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National Programs

Signed on February 5, 2026, South Carolina’s Social Media Regulation Act introduces the nation’s most aggressive independent audit requirement for online platforms accessible by minors. Here is what makes it different — and what companies offering covered services must do before July 1, 2026. 

The wave of state-level children’s digital privacy laws keeps building. California started it in 2022 with their age-appropriate design code. Maryland, Nebraska, and Vermont followed with their own variations. Now South Carolina has entered the arena — and in at least one critical dimension, it has gone further than any state before it. 

On February 5, 2026, Governor Henry McMaster signed H3431, the South Carolina Social Media Regulation Act, into law as Act No. 96. The law creates Chapter 80 of Title 39 of the South Carolina Code, the Age-Appropriate Code Design (AADC) chapter, and it is already in effect.  

One deadline should be flashing red on every compliance calendar: July 1, 2026. 

What the Law Does 

The South Carolina AADC applies to any “covered online service” (broadly defined as platforms and apps that conduct business in South Carolina) that is “reasonably likely to be accessed by minors” and meets at least one of three size thresholds: annual gross revenues exceeding $25 million, processing data of 50,000 or more consumers, or deriving 50% or more of revenue from data sales. 

The law’s substantive obligations cluster into four pillars: 

• Design Safety: Covered services must exercise “reasonable care” in design to prevent compulsive usage, psychological harm (including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation), severe emotional distress, privacy intrusions, identity theft, and discrimination against minors. 
• Privacy by Default: All protective settings — limits on geolocation, profiling, targeted advertising, and notification windows — must be activated by default for known minors. The framework is opt-out, not opt-in. 
• Parental Controls: Easy-to-use parental tools for managing settings, restricting purchases, viewing usage time, and setting time-of-day limits are required and must themselves be on by default. 
• Annual Independent Public Audit: Every covered service must file a public report prepared by an independent third-party auditor with the Attorney General by July 1 of each year. There is no grace period and no cure right for late filing. 

The Notification Windows: School Hours and Bedtime 

South Carolina’s law is unusually specific about when push notifications to known minors are restricted. Covered services must offer the ability to block notifications during the following windows, and these must be the default setting for known minors: 

Notification Restriction Requirements (§ 39-80-40(E)) 

• Nightly, year-round: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, seven days a week. 
• School hours (August through May): 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. 
• The statute requires these windows to be calculated in the minor’s local time zone, an implementation detail that will require geographic time zone detection for many platforms. 

Dark Patterns: A Trade Practices Violation 

One of South Carolina’s sharpest enforcement teeth is its treatment of dark patterns. The law defines “dark pattern” as any user interface “designed or manipulated with the substantial effect of subverting or impairing user autonomy, decision making, or choice.” Using a dark pattern against a minor is not merely a violation of this chapter, it is expressly designated an unlawful trade practice under South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act (UTPA, § 39-5-20). 

That matters because the UTPA carries its own independent enforcement mechanisms, civil penalties, and the possibility of attorney fees. Plaintiffs’ counsel will notice. 

Three Things That Make South Carolina Genuinely Different 

1. Public, Not Private: California’s and Maryland’s Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) model keeps audit findings internal. South Carolina’s model is structurally opposite: the independent auditor’s report is submitted to the Attorney General, who is required to post it in a prominent place on the AG website. This means advocacy organizations, plaintiffs’ attorneys, journalists, and regulators in other states can all read it. Precision and defensibility in the audit report matter in ways internal DPIAs do not require. 

2. Treble Damages and Personal Officer Liability: Most state AACDs set per-child civil penalties ($2,500–$7,500 in California; $50,000 per violation in Nebraska). South Carolina’s damages model is structurally different: it multiplies actual financial damages by three. More strikingly, § 39-80-80(C) provides that individual officers and employees may be held personally liable for willful and wanton violations. This is an executive accountability provision with no clear parallel in any other state AADC currently in force. It belongs on the agenda of every board and C-suite review of these obligations. 

3. No Grace Period: The law took effect on the date of the Governor’s signature, February 5, 2026. There is no phased implementation of the kind Nebraska offered (civil penalties beginning July 2026) or Maryland’s staged requirements. All substantive obligations were live the moment the Governor signed. The first independent audit report is due July 1, 2026 — roughly five months after enactment. 

The Timeline

The law was signed February 5, 2026. The first independent audit report is due to the Attorney General by July 1, 2026. For platforms that have not started, that window is shrinking and the auditor must be retained, given full access to operations, and their report finalized before that date. 

Under § 39-80-70(C), covered services are required to provide auditors “full and complete cooperation and access to information and operations” necessary for a comprehensive, accurate report. Scope-limiting or delaying access to auditors could constitute a violation. 

How BBB National Programs Can Help 

BBB National Programs has built its practice around the intersection of technology design, data governance, and children’s digital privacy, which is the exact overlap that the South Carolina AADC puts under the microscope. We provide the independent third-party audit services that § 39-80-70 requires, with deep expertise in minor-facing platforms and the statutory compliance frameworks that the law demands. 

Our audit engagements are structured around the law’s nine required report elements, with a methodology that satisfies South Carolina’s requirement for auditors to ‘follow inspection and consultation practices designed to ensure that reports are comprehensive and accurate,’ including the statutory mandate to consult with experts on minors’ use of covered online services. 

Reach out for a consultation.
Are you one of our COPPA Safe Harbor participants? Unlock preferred pricing and a fast-track application process. 

Source: BBB Programs

CHARLESTON, SC – MAY 14, 2026 – Four of South Carolina Ports’ ship-to-shore cranes are now boasting new names, thanks to Lowcountry students’ creativity in the Name the Cranes contest. More than 450 students in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties submitted names, and the winners were selected by SC Ports’ crane operators.

The winning names are: Coastal Claw, The Pain Crane, Holy City Hoister and The Dockfather (tie). Winners represented five schools in Charleston County and Dorchester County 2 school districts.

“Winning this contest gives students the opportunity to see the cranes up close, gain a better understanding of how a port works and learn why having a port in their backyard makes a big difference to South Carolina,” said Chadwick Swan, SC Ports’ Director of Container Operations. “Having these awesome names on our cranes gives them personality, and everyone who works on the docks and visits our port loves to see it.”

The cranes, which sit 155-feet above the wharf at Wando Welch Terminal, are responsible for moving containers on and off vessels at the port’s busiest container terminal. Crane operators undergo rigorous training and mentorship to become highly skilled at their jobs, averaging 35 containers moved per hour.

Students were joined by their families, teachers, principals and port teammates on terminal today to be recognized for their creativity.

“We love giving students the opportunity to come out on terminal and see firsthand how a top 10 U.S. container port works,” said Micah Mallace, SC Ports President and CEO. “You never know what might spark a lifelong interest in a student, and we are grateful to connect with these innovative thinkers who leave an imprint on our port.”

Students received a plaque, a photo in front of their named crane, a private port tour and $500 to support their schools.

“We try to make the connection for students that every one of these containers is filled with items that make up their daily lives,” Mallace said. “From the shoes and clothes they wear, the food they eat, the furniture and TVs in their homes, to the toys they play with. All of these goods and more come through the Port of Charleston every day, generating economic growth for South Carolina.”

Winners:

Kyndal Chisolm, 4th Grade, North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary
Crane Name: Coastal Claw

Grant Sturgis, 2nd Grade, Memminger Elementary
Crane Name: The Pain Crane

William Walts, 1st Grade, Mount Pleasant Academy
Crane Name: Holy City Hoister

Jack Zapiecki, Kindergarten, Harbor View Elementary
Crane Name: The Dockfather (tie)

Vivian Lovin, 4th Grade, Spann Elementary School
Crane Name: The Dockfather (tie)

Source: South Carolina Ports

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By Mark A Leon

The ocean has long been a place of healing, freedom, and connection. For the people behind  Adaptive Surf Project, it is also a place where barriers disappear and possibilities begin. Based in the Carolinas (North Myrtle Beach, SC), Adaptive Surf Project (ASP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating inclusive communities and improving lives through adaptive surfing. Their work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of the ocean, regardless of physical ability.  

The organization’s origins trace back to the creation of “Wheel to Surf,” an event founded in 2013 by Brock Johnson. What began as a surf clinic for individuals with disabilities quickly evolved into a broader movement focused on accessibility, empowerment, and inclusion. ASP recognized that surfing is more than just a sport — it is a transformative experience that builds confidence, community, and emotional well-being. From those early beach gatherings, the organization expanded into adaptive bike rides, outreach programs, accessible beach initiatives, and adaptive surf competitions.  

At the heart of Adaptive Surf Project’s mission is the desire to “share the stoke,” a surfing phrase that captures the excitement and connection felt in the water. ASP works to normalize the sight of adaptive and traditional surfers sharing the same waves. Through teamwork, specialized equipment, and trained volunteers, participants who may have once believed surfing was impossible are able to experience the thrill and freedom of riding a wave.  

The benefits of adaptive surfing extend far beyond the beach. Physically, surfing encourages balance, coordination, strength, and mobility. Emotionally, it offers stress relief, confidence, and a sense of independence. Socially, it creates meaningful friendships and support systems between participants, families, and volunteers. Many adaptive surfing organizations around the world have documented the therapeutic impact of ocean-based activities, particularly for individuals facing trauma, disabilities, or emotional challenges. Research and testimonials from adaptive surf programs consistently highlight improvements in self-esteem, mental wellness, and community connection.  

Adaptive Surf Project also works toward making beaches themselves more accessible. The organization advocates for beach matting, adaptive wheelchairs, and inclusive public spaces so that everyone can enjoy coastal environments. Their mission extends beyond surfing into the broader idea of creating communities where no one is excluded from recreation, social events, or outdoor experiences.  

There are many ways the public can support Adaptive Surf Project and help expand its impact. Donations help fund adaptive surfboards, beach wheelchairs, wetsuits, transportation, and outreach initiatives. Volunteers are essential to the organization’s events and programs, assisting participants both on land and in the water. Businesses can also become sponsors, helping fund specific projects while gaining visibility through community partnerships and events. ASP welcomes one-time donations, monthly giving, in-kind contributions, and volunteer support from anyone passionate about accessibility and inclusion.  

In every wave they share, Adaptive Surf Project proves that the ocean belongs to everyone. Through compassion, innovation, and community, they continue to redefine what is possible and remind people of all abilities that adventure, joy, and freedom are still within reach.

Follow the journey on Instagram.

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Photo Credit: Adaptive Surf Project

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC — The State Ports Authority will move some of its vehicle export operations to North Charleston to help protect Upstate-built BMWs and other cars from flooding while also freeing up space at the Port of Charleston’s current — and low-lying — export hub for new cargo.

The authority’s board of directors on Friday approved a $720,000 design contract for rail and cargo yard improvements at the port’s North Charleston terminal. That’s the first step toward moving some vehicle exports away from Columbus Street Terminal along the Cooper River in downtown Charleston.

The project aligns with the authority’s goal of generating new revenue from existing property by making Columbus Street available for additional breakbulk cargo — that is, cargo that doesn’t fit into containers.

“We made a commitment to our various constituencies — our board and the regional supply chain entities that depend on us to grow — that we would focus our investment on immediate revenue-generating opportunities or capacity,” said Micah Mallace, the authority’s president and CEO, adding this is the first of several expected announcements.

“We’ll find creative new ways to monetize our real estate, which we have a fair amount of,” he said. “This is the first one.”

The authority’s plans also include demolition starting this summer of the old WestRock paper mill, which is adjacent to the North Charleston terminal.

The authority bought the roughly 280-acre paper mill site for $105 million two years ago after WestRock shut down the facility following 86 years of operation.

Rail improvements are planned on the old paper mill site so state-owned Palmetto Railways can help Norfolk Southern and CSX Corp. move vehicles to the new vehicle export center.

The expanded rail service “builds on existing rail infrastructure and improves capacity for future cargo growth,” said Patrick McCrory, president and CEO of Palmetto Railways.

McCrory said the short-line railroad, a division of the state’s Commerce Department, will also collaborate with the authority on future cargo opportunities at Columbus Street Terminal.

Flooding has vexed Columbus Street Terminal for years, and the maritime agency has spent millions looking for a solution to protect vehicles parked there waiting to be shipped overseas.

In 2024, for example, hundreds of BMWs parked at the terminal were damaged by saltwater intrusion.

Last year, the authority’s board approved spending nearly $400,000 to study raising the elevation of Columbus Street Terminal.

The authority also installed machinery to move water off the 155-acre site, purchased removable barriers to divert floodwater away from vehicles and spent $2 million to pave a backup staging area for BMW exports at the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston.

Mallace said the North Charleston Terminal plan “absolutely” would help mitigate flooding concerns.

Columbus Street Terminal, which dates to the late 1950s, also serves Volvo Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans as well as several breakbulk customers.

The terminal, which has the capacity to move more than 250,000 vehicles annually, has handled 116,328 exported vehicles through the first nine months of this fiscal year, which started July 1.

Work to create a vehicle export site in North Charleston will start next year, with operations expected to begin in 2028.

The authority’s board also approved a demolition contract for the WestRock paper mill site that will also address asbestos remediation. Demolition costs will be covered by selling scrap materials from tearing down the paper mill.

The maritime agency has long-term plans to add more container cargo to the site where the WestRock mill once operated.

But before that expansion can take place, the state’s Department of Transportation will have to replace the Don Holt Bridge over the Cooper River to make room for the tall container ships that now visit U.S. ports.

Those plans are in the early stages. Vessels that carry vehicles don’t need the higher bridge clearance.

The authority’s board also heard an update on the port’s cargo levels, which continue to be roiled by global tariff and economic concerns.

The port’s marine terminals handled 102,246 cargo containers of all sizes in April.

That’s the second-lowest during the current fiscal year and a 13.5% drop from the same month a year earlier. Revenue is down about 4% so far this fiscal year, due largely to the drop in container volumes.

The problem isn’t limited to Charleston’s port. Projections by the National Retail Federation show U.S. ports saw a 3.6 percent year-over-year drop in imports in April.

“With inflation rising and consumer confidence falling among global economic uncertainty driven by the conflict in Iran, the overall trend of lower imports is expected to continue after that,” Jonathan Gold, the federation’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy, said in a written statement.

Maritime analyst Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates, said retailers are cautious about building up inventories.

“Containerized imports in the first quarter were down year over year, and forward demand is weakening,” Hackett said in a written statement.

Source: SC Daily Gazette

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On May 13, 2026, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced more than $237 million to reimburse states, local governments, Tribal Nations and territories for expenses related to previous natural disasters.  

“We are laser focused on removing unnecessary roadblocks to ensure these federal dollars are able to reach affected communities so they can rebuild,” said Robert J. Fenton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator. “We are working closely with our counterparts on the ground to make sure they have the technical assistance and guidance they need to get their projects approved and move their recovery forward.”  

The funds will be distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program to support 61 projects across the country. This money is disbursed to states and local communities who are best positioned to know how these funds should be most effectively spent. These projects include repairs to critical infrastructure, restoration of public buildings, road repairs and reimbursement for costs incurred to ensure public health and safety after a disaster.

Some examples of the approved projects are:

• More than $19 million to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for contract services to conduct debris removal and debris monitoring activities as a result of Hurricane Helene.
• More than $9 million to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission in Louisiana to address beach erosion on Fourchon Beach as a result of Hurricane Ida. 
• More than $6 million to the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation in North Carolina to repair and restore the Capitola Hydroelectric Power Plant that was damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. 
• More than $2 million to the Sharkey Issaquena Community Hospital in Mississippi for temporary hospital modules in response to severe storms and tornadoes.
• Nearly $2 million for the Havasupai Tribe to repair and restore fencing at the ancestral burial grounds that was damaged by flooding. 

Four additional projects are funded from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which empowers states, local governments, tribal nations and territories to complete activities and projects that prevent, eliminate or reduce disaster-related damage. 

Examples of the approved post-disaster mitigation projects funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program include: 

• More than $3.99 million  for the acquisition and demolition of five residential structures in Bellingham, Everson, Ferndale and Lynden, Washington. These flood-prone properties are being demolished, and the land will be deed-restricted and maintained as open green space. These efforts substantially reduce the risk of future damage. 
• More than $2 million to the Archdiocese of San Juan in Puerto Rico to purchase and install generators and hardened electrical cabinets in 23 schools across nine municipalities. This project provides backup power to the facilities to continue critical services during power outages. 

These projects are the latest examples of billions of dollars in disaster recovery provided by FEMA to support state and local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters. FEMA will continue to work with states, local governments, Tribal Nations and territories to streamline recovery funding efforts for past natural disasters.

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Source: FEMA.gov