Clarendon County was awarded 10 million dollars for the water improvement project phase V. The City of Manning was awarded $8,563,510 for downtown sewer line replacement. The Town of Summerton was awarded $6,921,875 for Goat Island sewer system improvements. Summerton was also awarded $5,158,703 for water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
Under the RIA grant, the City of Manning was awarded $500,000 for downtown sewer line replacement and the town of Summerton was awarded $500,000 for water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
The recipients are expected to contact Santee -Lynches Council of Governments (COG) directly to begin the processes.
Summerton Mayor Junious noted that 90 percent of this grant will target the areas of Goat Island, Sigfield, North Shore and Foxboro. He said, "There will be no funds to use in the town of Summerton to replace our fire hydrants."
Summerton Town Council and Mayor Junious have already scheduled meetings to begin the planning for infrastructure needed within the town limits of water and sewer as well as other critical needs facing the town.
Mayor Junious said, "I'm super excited about what has happened here in the Town of Summerton. When I got the news that we were awarded over $12 million dollars, it blew my mind! All I could have said was, God you've done it again! We've spent countless hours throughout the past seven to eight months working on these projects. I must give a lot of credit to a few people who had a great impact on helping getting these projects funded. Senator Kevin Johnson, Congressman James Clyburn, Former Representative Kimberly O. Johnson, Chris Waddell with American Engineer, Summerton Town Council, Summerton Town Administration Mary Adger & staff members, Santee Lynches COG, Rural Development. I certainly can't leave my pastor, Apostle Elizabeth Gibson, out. She was my great support throughout this process. The Citizens in those areas will benefit well from this. For years, there were ongoing problems with the infrastructure problems with water/sewer, but we've finally crossed the bridge to where we can start seeing some positive impact of services. Again, to all other parties that were involved with this project, the Town of Summerton will forever be grateful for your assistance."
Senator Johnson also took part in making sure Clarendon County was not overlooked in the involvement of the American Rescue Plan Act Funding. Senator Johnson said, "As many are aware, the State of South Carolina, just as every state, received billions of dollars in America Rescue Plan Act funding. I was honored to have been appointed by the leadership of the SC Senate to serve on a five member committee that recommended how our allocation would be appropriated. A priority for us was that the vast majority of that funding be used for the Department of Transportation’s programs to improve our highway and bridge infrastructure, the expansion of broadband to help insure that every household and business throughout our state have access to the internet, and to build and improve water and sewer infrastructure, again throughout the state, but especially in our region. I also worked hard to make sure that systems in small, poor, and rural areas would not have to provide a match for the funding that they received. It was great to work with former Representative Kimberly Johnson along with the leadership of Clarendon County, the City of Manning, and the Town of Summerton, along with the leadership of other portions of Senate District 36. This collaboration allowed us to receive tens of millions of dollars to fund much needed projects in our community. This funding and the projects that will be addressed will be a game changer for all of us. I will continue to work as hard as I can to make sure that our region receives our fair share of resources that are made available by the state and federal government."
Manning Mayor Julia Nelson stated, "As we prioritized and examined our areas of concern and vulnerability, our downtown sewerlines, some of which are 60 years and older, have always been high on the list. A project of this magnitude would not be possible without outside funding such as this award, especially when our overall annual budget from general revenue is only $5,669,780. Small rural communities like ours are extremely appreciative of these financial opportunities. This grant application was approved by the council and mayor and then submitted in September 2022 by Scott Tanner, the city administrator."
