Bishopville, South Carolina Awarded $928,000 Grant for Infrastructure Improvements
Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments
2525 Corporate Way, Suite 200
Sumter SC 29154
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Kyle Kelly (803-774-1377)
June 18, 2019
Sumter, SC – For Immediate Release
The City of Bishopville was awarded a $928K Community Development Block Grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce to continue upgrading their wastewater system. The system has been plagued by stormwater infill and infiltration.
SUMTER, SC – The South Carolina Department of Commerce has committed to investing an additional $928,000 in the City of Bishopville’s wastewater treatment system through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to complete Phase II of the City’s Wastewater Trunk Line Rehabilitation Project.
The City has been working to rehabilitate its primary wastewater collection trunk line since major storms in 2015 and 2016 caused the City’s wastewater operators and engineers to notice a high rate of stormwater infill and infiltration, which caused the City to treat large amounts of stormwater during and after every rainstorm. This treatment of additional water drove up costs to the city. City leadership then reached out to the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments to partner in finding a solution to the problem. The overall improvements are separated into four phases, with the first phase completed between 2016 and 2019, funded in part through a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The additional grant will help to ensure the integrity of Bishopville’s utilities and continue to protect the health and well-being of its citizens. Bishopville Mayor Alexander Boyd stated, “On behalf of the City of Bishopville, we thank Mr. Chris McKinney and the SanteeLynches COG staff for all of their efforts and support. We are extremely pleased with this grant award to complete Phase II of the main sewer trunk line in the City of Bishopville."
Mr. Christopher McKinney, Chief Executive Officer for Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments, stated, “This is a big win for our City of Bishopville. The CDBG Program is a vital tool to aid our rural municipalities to make the necessary improvements to meet community needs.” McKinney also stated, “I am very proud of our staff. They worked very hard to find a way to add value to Bishopville and were extremely diligent to ensure all T’s were crossed and all I’s were dotted. They are a superb group to work with.”
About Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments
Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments is a premier organization committed to optimizing our region’s unique strengths. We are YOUR regional partner for a better tomorrow. Our mission is to deliberately enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities for the advancement of our region. Santee-Lynches serves the counties and cities of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter.
We are also a member of the SC COG network (SCCOGS.org). Collectively, the SC COGS are solution providers, conveners, and consultants to the ten regions of South Carolina. We provide a standard of excellence in the delivery of federal, state and regional services for our member communities to benefit all of South Carolina.