U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.4 Million to Make Critical Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Protect Businesses From Flooding in Ridgeland, South Carolina

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- 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 $3.4 million grant to the Town of Ridgeland, South Carolina, to make critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements needed to protect businesses from future floods. The EDA grant will be matched with $847,000 in local investment.

"The Trump Administration is committed to helping communities impacted by natural disasters to not only rebuild, but rebound stronger than ever before," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. "The improved water and wastewater infrastructure to serve Ridgeland will protect businesses from future flood events and promote the region's future economic resiliency."

"Ensuring businesses that there is adequate infrastructure in place to protect their assets and support their future is vital," said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. "Enhancing the resiliency of Ridgeland's water and wastewater systems in the aftermath of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence will help businesses remain operational after flood events and keep the community economically competitive."

"Proactively investing in our infrastructure is imperative to continuing South Carolina's superior economic development efforts," said Governor Henry McMaster. "President Trump Administration's commitment to reliable infrastructure will not only lead to increased economic growth in Ridgeland, but it will also highlight our continued commitment to protecting South Carolinians and their property from floodwater statewide."

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ20/PLAW-116publ20.pdf), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (https://www.eda.gov/pdf/about/Economic-Adjustment-Assistance-Program-1-Pager.pdf) funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act.