Department of Commerce Invests $1.1 Million to Provide Critical Infrastructure to Support Disaster Resiliency in Jasper County, South Carolina

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release:

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.1 million grant to Jasper County, South Carolina, to provide critical road and stormwater infrastructure improvements to a major highway evacuation route. The EDA grant will be matched with $750,000 in local funds.

"President Trump is committed to improving our nation's infrastructure and supporting communities as they rebuild after natural disasters," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. "The improvements made to the U.S. Highway 278 corridor will make Jasper County more economically resilient by attracting new industry to the region."

"This project will improve the reliability of critical road and stormwater infrastructure in the event of severe weather in Jasper County," said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.

"EDA is pleased to support the Lowcountry Council of Governments' strategy to increase the region's infrastructure resiliency and create opportunities to diversify the local economy."

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Lowcountry Council of Governments, which EDA funds to help bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.