LAKE CITY, S.C. – When flooding impacts a community it can be a costly effort to fix the problem. For one Lake City flood-prevention plan, a $1 million grant awarded May 28 has kick started funding for a major storm water project.
The $1 million awarded to Lake City by the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority is one of 36 project grants in 22 counties. The grants total more than $25 million dedicated to critical infrastructure upgrades across South Carolina.
“To ensure all communities and businesses have the opportunity to thrive, we must address the state’s critical infrastructure needs and plan for long-term viability,” said Executive Director Bonnie Ammons. “More than 10 years of RIA grants demonstrate the profound impact that strategic investment and proactive planning have on our communities as we build a stronger future for all South Carolinians.”
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“These funds go a long way to help the city meets its obligations for another grant that we hope to hear about soon,” said William A. Hall, city administrator. “We are working on plans for a $14.8 million storm water project that will address a lot of the flooding issues along Acline Street and the adjacent neighborhoods. This $1 million grant is also contingent on receiving the larger grant.”
“We are well aware of all the flooding we have in our city and are diligently working together to mitigate these issues,” said Mayor Yamekia Robinson. “Our city administration staff is working on several projects, applying for and securing grants, to help with flooding mitigation throughout all of our communities in Lake City.”
The city submitted a grant application to the Economic Development Administration for the vital stormwater improvements last year. The application is currently under review for a potential $13.4 million, and Hall said he is encouraged by the overwhelming support from various stakeholders the city has received.
“The EDA grant would cover all but $1.4 million of the costs for this essential project,” said Hall. “The city is obligated to come up with the remaining funds and this Rural Infrastructure Authority grant is a substantial portion of that.”
“The city only has to come up with $387,000 for a $14.8 million project,” said Hall. “This is your storm-water fees at work.”