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:


SC Department of Commerce - Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
• Community Infrastructure
• Community Enrichment – public facilities/public services
• Village Renaissance – revitalization of in-town residential neighborhoods
• Downtown Revitalization
• "Ready to Go" public Facilities Program
    Most grants must benefit low to moderate income persons. Some grants require job creation or retention to qualify.
    Local match for most projects is a minimum of 10 percent.

 Economic Development Administration
• Infrastructure improvement and/or construction grants for economic development
Projects must create or retain jobs. Local match is usually up to 50 percent.

  USDA - Rural Development
• Infrastructure improvement grants for economic development
• Community facilities improvements
• Residential water and sewer

DEPARTMENT STAFF
Kathy Powell
Deputy and Finance Director,
Economic Development Manager
Will Laintz
Housing Director
Sharon Durden
Community Development Operations Manager