Dorchester County, North Charleston receive slice of $34M for infrastructure upgrades

By Jason Thomas – Charleston Business

Dorchester County and North Charleston will benefit from a state of South Carolina grant program for infrastructure projects.

For its first round of fiscal year 2025 grants, the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved grant assistance for 34 projects, totaling more than $34 million to address critical infrastructure needs related to public health and the environment while also developing increased capacity for economic opportunities, according to news release. These projects will benefit more than 91,000 customers in 24 counties across the state.

“As one of the fastest-growing states in the country, strategic investments in South Carolina’s water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure will continue to be critical to ensure the state’s future environmental health and safety, facilitate long-term sustainability of local utilities, and catalyze economic development and growth around the state,” said Executive Director Bonnie Ammons in the release. “With the assistance of RIA state grants, local governments and utilities can better prepare for the future and provide reliable service to both existing and new customers.”

Dorchester County and North Charleston Sewer District will receive $1.5 million each.

The majority of grants will fund capital improvements, including projects that will upgrade aging or undersized water mains, rehabilitate or replace aging sewer lines, improve sewer pump stations and treatment plants, and make communities more resilient to flooding and stormwater, the release stated. Six of the grants will fund projects that will enhance the infrastructure capacity to serve current or planned industrial sites and facilitate job creation for new and existing businesses around the state.

Additionally, grants were awarded to 10 communities for planning activities that will help safeguard their long-term viability, according to the release. These planning grants focus on various local needs, especially rural and small systems, including the mapping and assessment of existing infrastructure, development of capital improvement plans, and evaluations of the effects of stormwater.

RIA continues to work with partners to maximize the impact of state grant dollars. This round, the RIA state grant awards will be combined with more than $50 million in local and other funds to carry out the proposed water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects, according to the release.

RIA state grants are generally awarded twice a year through a competitive process that considers the need for improved public health, environmental protection, community sustainability and economic development.

Applications are selected by the RIA board based on criteria including severity of the problem, expected impact and project feasibility. Recipients share in the cost of infrastructure projects by paying for non-construction or other activities and, oftentimes, providing additional funds for construction.

To learn more about RIA or how to apply for grant assistance, click here.

Source: Charleston Business