U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Wastewater Infrastructure to Support Business Development in Lancaster, South Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District, Lancaster, South Carolina, to boost business development and job growth by providing wastewater system improvements. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will provide the infrastructure necessary to accommodate a new winery distribution center and attract other industries to the region. This EDA grant will be matched with $2.8 million in state and local funds and is expected to create 238 jobs and generate $203 million in private investment.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This investment will provide the infrastructure that Lancaster needs to support the creation of new businesses that can diversify and grow the regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support the region’s strategy to grow the local economic base through infrastructure improvements designed to support business development and job growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide Lancaster with the permanent wastewater treatment capacity they need to support their businesses and workers.”

“Strong leadership coupled with South Carolina’s pro-business environment have stirred remarkable growth throughout Lancaster,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05). “Coming from across the country and world, I’m thrilled so many people and businesses are now choosing to make Lancaster their new home. Reliable infrastructure is critical to sustain this type of growth, and I’m confident these wastewater system improvements will help Lancaster continue to move in the right direction.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments. EDA funds the Catawba Regional Council of Governments to 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. 

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.