S.C. Budget Includes $9M for Projects in Anderson County
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
With the state’s budget officially approved and the governor’s vetoes out of the way, Anderson County will receive just over $9 million in special project appropriations.
The largest is a shared $1.5 million award from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority to expand and upgrade the Pendleton-Clemson-Anderson sewer line that runs along Clemson Boulevard. It is the main truck for the most congested commercial part of the county and is in need of expansion and upgrades to meet capacity, which is nearly full now, as well as prepare for future development along that corridor.
Other water/sewer funding updates from these appropriations are:
Water and sewer line repairs for the Town of Iva, $175,000
Water and sewer line repairs for Honea Path, $175,000
Next, as previously reported in the Anderson Observer, a $1 million grant from South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) will be used for long-overdue repairs and improvements to the Mill Town Players for the historic Pelzer Auditorium. The theater company has used the structure for 10 years, bringing in tens of thousands of visitors from across the region for productions. Replacing aging and patched flooring, refitting the balcony and replacing the worn-out seating with a more friendly and accessible layout are among the repairs to the building, which requires special effort due to its historic nature. Mill Town Players will raise any additional funds needed to complete this project.
The Cancer Association of Anderson will receive $850,000 from the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services to help replace the building they lost due to age and deterioration. Currently in a temporary home on East Calhoun Street in Anderson, the CAA will build a new facility capable of providing more services to more local cancer patients and their families on the land next to their current location. Story here.
Vets Helping Vets of Anderson will receive $300,000 for a veterans center from the Veterans Administration. The group was started a decade ago after the VA closed counseling services for those with PTSD. A local group of vets founded this group which now averages around 120 vets at their weekly meetings. The group also does numerous civic projects to improve the community and the lives of vets.
The United Way of Anderson received $100,000 from the SCPRT for a community garden. The group has 12 community gardens throughout Anderson County aimed at helping us to bring accessible, fresh, and nutritious food to people across the county, with an emphasis on the underserved populations.
Providing upgrades to parks and recreation account for more than $2 million in funding. Williamston will receive $750,000 from the SCRPT to replace playground equipment in Mineral Springs Park. The current equipment is decades old and has very little in the way of accessibility and safety features. The new playground will be fenced in and feature a playground accessible to all children.
The following parks also received additional funding:
Dolly Cooper Park Pickleball Courts, $573,151. Eight pickleball courts will be built, and lighting will be installed to allow use during evening hours. Developing these courts is part of the county’s effort to enhance services available to the public at Dolly Cooper Park. It comes on the heels of recent projects such as the new mega-play structure, athletic field lighting, and access enhancements.
Hurricane Spring Park Improvements, $450,000
Anderson Airport Regional Playground, $350,000 (story here)
Anderson Civic Center Upgrades, $170,000
Caroline Community Center, $150,000 from Aid to Subdivisions Fund
Homeland Park Public Service District, $150,000
Honea Path Farmers Market, $40,000
Belton Recreation Projects, $10,000
Homeland Park Community Watch, $10,000
Honea Path Recreation Projects, $10,000
Iva Recreation Projects, $10,000
Parker-Bowie Sports Complex, $10,000
Pelzer Recreation Projects, $10,000
Piedmont Recreation Projects, $10,000
Starr Recreation Projects, $10,000
Watkins Community Center, $10,000
West Pelzer Recreation Projects, $10,000
Williamston Recreation Projects, $10,000
Belton will also receive $800,000 for sidewalk repairs and $300,000 for the Leda Poore Park Restroom and Press Box from SCPRT.
Public safety accounted for $738,000 in funding projects, which includes $300,000 for a rapid-response vehicle for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office from the S.C. Department of Public Safety, $125,000 for safety equipment for the Anderson Fire Department and $100,000 for the Center Rock Fire Station 11 Annex Building from the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).
The remaining public safety funds from LLR are:
$91,000 for Centerville Fire Station 9 for Critical Repairs
$56,000 for the Zion Fire Department Phase II Renovation
$55,000 for Townville Fire Department Air Packs
$13,000 for the Double Springs Fire Department Renovation
The funds were secured by the efforts of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation, with several groups involved singling out the efforts of S.C. Sen. Mike Gambrell, R-Anderson, S.C. Richard Cash, R-Anderson, S.C. Rep. Anne Thayer, R-Anderson, S.C. Rep. Don Chapman, R-Anderson and S.C. Rep. Craig Gagnon, R-Anderson for helping direct these funds to Anderson County.