The City of Walterboro received a $15,672,000 grant on Thursday April 2 that will more than double the current capacity and efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant will fund expansion to help better serve existing users and provide capacity for growth in the future.
The EDA grant will be matched with $3.9 million in local investment, and is expected to create 360 jobs and spur $70 million in private investment.
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Lowcountry Economic Development District.
This funding fits directly within the confines of Colleton County’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Part of that plan is to upgrade infrastructure in the city. New wells and an upgraded wastewater treatment facility will ensure that water pressure and volume is increased to businesses and homes throughout parts of Colleton County and the city, as well as extend water to Venture Park and the business zones near I-95.
Several individuals and entities played instrumental roles in putting the City’s successful application together. Michelle Knight and her staff at the Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG) made the city aware of the grant opportunity and steered the team through the process.
Walterboro City Manager Jeff Molinari was appreciative of Knight’s assistance. “Michelle and her team at LCOG continue to assist the City of Walterboro and Colleton County with grant opportunities through EDA and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Their assistance in securing these funds improves our level of service to citizens and businesses, as well as the vital efforts to attract new business and industry in coordination with Walterboro and Colleton County’s economic development team.”
Molinari also thanked Utilities Director Wayne Crosby, who worked with Knight and LCOG through the process. “We can never be complimentary enough of Michelle and her team,” said Crosby.
“The great work done by our city staff as well as by the Colleton County Economic Alliance over many years helped make this truly exciting expansion a possibility,” said Mayor Bill Young. “The state and federal government see the potential in Walterboro and Colleton County due to our collective efforts through the Economic Alliance. Our recent and continued growth, both commercially and industrially, necessitate this exciting expansion.”
“This increased capacity and efficiency puts Walterboro and Colleton County in a whole new league when it comes to attracting industry,” said Heyward Horton, director of the Colleton County Economic Alliance.
