The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) has selected 24 projects in South Carolina to receive funding under the FY2025 State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) program. This grant program is designed to revitalize communities and spur economic development across counties in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. 

The FY2025 SEID program funds projects that align with priorities identified in SCRC’s authorizing statute, Five-Year Strategic Plan, and State Economic Development Plans. 

South Carolina projects were awarded $4.7M for water and sewer upgrades, workforce development, small-business support, and community revitalization projects across 26 counties, with 58% located in distressed communities and 50% classified as infrastructure projects.

The 24 South Carolina grantees are:

• Cane Gully Road to Linda Acres Place Waterline Extension – Berkeley County Government
  The Cane Gully Road Waterline Project, with a total cost of $180,000 and supported by a $89,582 SCRC award, will extend 800 feet of new waterline to the Cordesville Community Park, providing clean, reliable water to support park improvements and future residential connections for the 3,800 residents of this rural community.
   
• Downtown Demolition and Revitalization – City of Bishopville
  The City of Bishopville has secured a $136,781 SCRC award toward the demolition of 112 N. Main Street and improvements at 226 N. Main Street. Removing the dilapidated building will eliminate a public safety hazard and pave the way for downtown redevelopment.
   
•  Lanterns in the Wild – Central Midlands Council of Governments

The Central Midlands Council of Governments (COG), with a $325,056 SCRC award toward the $455,080 total cost, will develop a three‑day Lanterns in the Wild festival across Richland, Calhoun, Kershaw and Sumter counties, celebrating local culture and supporting tourism and small‑business development.

• Main Street Start‑Up Lab – City of Bennettsville
  The City of Bennettsville has secured a $120,000 SCRC award toward the $270,000 Main Street Start‑Up Lab, a downtown business‑incubation initiative that will provide training, financial tools and seed funding for entrepreneurs, helping revitalize Bennettsville’s Main Street corridor.
   
• Rutledge Street Sewer Rehabilitation – City of Camden
  The City of Camden has been awarded $476,415 from SCRC toward the $955,550 rehabilitation of 1,780 linear feet of downtown sewer line using the cost‑effective Cured‑In‑Place Pipe (CIPP) method, which will reduce inflow and infiltration and extend the life of the sewer system.
   
•  Cadz Street Backlot Improvements – City of Chester
  The City of Chester has secured a $388,464 SCRC award toward the $493,464 Cadz Street Backlot Improvement Project, which will add a new vendor pavilion, restroom facilities and expanded parking to stimulate downtown commerce and events.
   
• Radiology Equipment Purchase – Dorchester County
  Dorchester County has secured a $196,475 SCRC award toward the $392,952 project to establish a Medical University of South Carolina‑supported X‑ray facility in St. George, expanding diagnostic services for 5,500 households and 2,500 local students.
   
• Tiger Street Development Master Plan – Hampton County:

Hampton County will use $75,000 in SCRC SEID funds (total cost $90,000) to develop a master plan for a 65‑acre publicly owned tract, providing recommendations, conceptual designs and cost projections to guide future economic development.
 

• Business by the Books – Increasing H.O.P.E. Financial Training Center

The Business by the Books: Industry‑Focused Small Business Infrastructure Initiative, funded with $200,000 from SCRC toward a total cost of $288,000, is a 24‑month program designed to stabilize and strengthen 75 under‑resourced small businesses across Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties by providing tailored back‑office infrastructure, financial and digital services, coaching and sector‑specific workshops.
 

• Bridge to Work – Lowcountry Council of Governments

The Bridge to Work project, funded with a $174,318 SCRC award (total cost $254,108), is a 24‑month initiative enhancing workforce access by expanding SC Works services, deploying mobile outreach, enrolling job‑seekers in training and connecting participants with supportive services.
 

• Lowcountry AAA Facilities Assessment – Lowcountry Council of Governments
  With a $145,500 SCRC award and total project cost of $194,000, the Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG) will oversee a professional‑services Request for Proposals (RFP) to assess 10 senior centers and nutrition sites serving 321 seniors, ensuring that facilities remain safe, accessible and resilient.
   
• Project Hometown – Main Street South Carolina

Project Hometown SC, funded by a $305,000 SCRC award and with a total cost of $400,000, is a two‑year initiative in Cheraw, Hartsville and Walterboro that combines digital storytelling, apprenticeships, ambassador programs and collaborative partnerships to revitalize downtown districts.
 

• Comprehensive Development, Management, and Promotion of the Black River Water Trail & Park Network – Open Space Institute
  The Open Space Institute (OSI) will receive $350,000 from SCRC to advance the Black River Initiative, a two‑year, $523,304 project that will create the 70‑mile Black River Water Trail & Park Network by developing a Water Trail Management Plan, establishing a management team and constructing a demonstration site and pilot park.
   
• Pee Dee Regional Intercounty Mobility Pathways – Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority

The Pee Dee Regional Intercounty Mobility Pathways project, funded with $349,500 from SCRC and totaling $939,000, will expand public transit across Dillon, Marion and Florence counties to ensure reliable workforce transportation for low‑income residents and connect rural communities to job centers.
 

• Advancing the Village Group’s Impact – The Village Group: The Next Chapter

The Plantersville Cultural Complex (PCC), supported by a $349,952 SCRC award toward a total cost of $700,000, will transform a 10‑acre site in Plantersville, SC to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, expand educational programs and foster economic development through cultural tourism.

• Water Distribution System Upgrade – Town of Allendale

The Town of Allendale will leverage $100,000 in SCRC funding to complete engineering design, environmental review and administrative work needed to advance corrective actions on 37 non‑compliant fire hydrants, ensuring adequate water pressure and fire protection.
 

• Town Square Redevelopment Parking Lot – Town of Moncks Corner
  The Town Square Redevelopment parking‑lot project in Downtown Moncks Corner, supported by a $350,000 SCRC SEID award within a $900,000 budget, will modernize parking infrastructure to boost downtown accessibility and support local businesses.
   
• Water System Generator – Town of Pinewood
  The Town of Pinewood’s generator‑replacement project, funded with a $49,551 SCRC award and with a total cost of $99,102, will install a new 60 kW diesel generator, retrofit the existing system and complete site work to ensure reliable water service during power outages.
   
•  Town of Ruby Park Improvements – Town of Ruby
  The Town of Ruby’s park‑improvement project, funded with a $100,000 SCRC award and totaling $120,000, will repave the walking trail, add a 50×90‑foot basketball court and install benches and bleachers to enhance recreation opportunities.
   
• Radio Base Station and Meter Upgrade – Town of St. Matthews

The Town of St. Matthews will use the $38,051 SCRC award, matched by local funds for a total project cost of $76,102, to replace its outdated Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system with new state‑of‑the‑art meters and base stations, improving service reliability and operational efficiency.
 

• Water System Booster Chlorination System Replacement – Town of Swansea
  The Town of Swansea’s chlorination‑booster pump‑replacement project, funded with $200,000 from SCRC toward a total cost of $400,000, will install a permanent, state‑of‑the‑art system to ensure reliable and safe drinking water for residents.
   
• Water System Generator – Town of Turbeville
  The Town of Turbeville is requesting $57,494 from SCRC toward the total $71,868 project cost to procure and install a new 200 kW backup generator with necessary retrofits, procurement, installation, testing and training.
   
• Dr. H.J. Brooks Park Improvements Phase II – Town of Varnville
  The Town of Varnville, with $52,448 in SCRC funding toward the $281,448 total project cost, will construct a walking trail at Dr. H.J. Brooks Park to provide a safe, accessible recreational space that promotes healthy living and community engagement.
   
• Katherine Hall Parking Lot Area Rehabilitation – Town of Ware Shoals
  The Town of Ware Shoals has been awarded $150,000 from SCRC to complete the Katherine Hall Parking Lot Improvement Project, which will be implemented within six months through site preparation, paving and striping to improve parking and support local events.

For more information about the SEID Grant program and SCRC, please visit scrc.gov.

About the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC)
The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) is a federal-state partnership authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill to promote and encourage economic development in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and all of Florida. SCRC invests in projects that support basic infrastructure, business development, natural resources, and workforce/labor development. SCRC’s mission is to help create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those who reside in the 428 counties of the seven-state region.