The primary function of the Economic Development Department is to assist local governments in identifying, securing, and administering funds for a wide range of community and economic development activities including water and sewer facilities, downtown and/or streetscape improvements, community facilities improvements or construction, and workforce education and technology.
     Services include application preparation and packaging, and all aspects of grants administration such as start-up, environmental review, procurement and contracting, right-of-way acquisition, labor standards, and financial management.
     Santee-Lynches Regional COG is the area’s designated Economic Development District (EDD) under the Economic Development Administration. It is the responsibility of Economic Development staff to keep the cities and counties of the region eligible for EDA assistance by developing and annually maintaining a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
    The department can assist with application preparation and grants administration for the following programs: