Blog
Jun 06 2003
South Carolina to Receive $1.2 Million for Statewide ITS
System Plays Critical Role in Hurricane or Disaster Evacuations
Kevin Bishop or Wes Hickman
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded South Carolina a $1.248 million Federal Highway Administration grant for the deployment of a statewide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The grant will help develop and enhance a traffic surveillance system/motorist information system on interstates which includes changeable message signs, highway advisory radios, and surveillance cameras. “This is great news for South Carolina’s motorists,” said Graham. “It will help make our highways safer and make traffic information more readily available to the public.” “The greatest benefit of a statewide ITS system is the improvements this will make in our statewide evacuation routes,” said Graham. “In the event of hurricanes or other disasters this will help South Carolinians escape danger and deliver their families to safe locations.”Jun 06 2003
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) a $23.8 million grant for homeland security and domestic preparedness. The funds will be used to improve the readiness of first responders and to help cover costs of enhanced security at critical facilities. The funds can also be used to pay for security costs incurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom and for future periods of heightened security. “The tragic events of September 11, 2001 changed our world forever,” said Graham. “Threats continue to exist from terrorist organizations determined to destroy our way of life and all we stand for.” “The funds will also help increase the safety of our first responders and provide them with the tools they need to protect our state,” said Graham. “Police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s are on the front lines defending South Carolina and protecting our citizens. The sacrifice made by these brave men and women make them some of the heroes in our midst. They deserve the best training and equipment available to carry out their duties.”Jun 05 2003
Clemson University to Receive Textile Research Grant
National Textile Center Awarded $9.78 Million
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded the National Textile Center a $9.78 million grant to conduct research in new textile technologies. Clemson University is one of the founding members of the eight-university Center. The grant will be used by the universities to research advanced textile technologies to improve the long-term global competitiveness of the domestic textile and apparel industry. “Clemson University is on the cutting edge in textile research,” said Graham. “This grant will allow the university to study new technologies and work toward a more level playing field. This is a step forward for the textile industry. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it will solve all of our problems.” The Center focuses on textile research, education and partnerships. Researchers design and develop new materials, and also work to improve manufacturing methods. Since its founding, Congress has invested more than $82 million in textile research at the Center. “Our textile industry has been hard-hit by unfair, foreign competition,” said Graham. “We’ve lost tens of thousands of jobs over the past decade. Until we stop agreeing to bad trade deals that ship our jobs overseas, in the coming years we face the real possibility of more job layoffs in the textile industry. It’s hard for our domestic textile industry to compete with countries that have no labor standards, no minimum wage, no government regulations and often use slave labor in their factories.” The National Textile Center is made up of Clemson, Auburn University, Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Philadelphia University, University of California Davis and Cornell University.Jun 04 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced $561,680 in grants to fire departments in Branchville, Chappells, Hampton, Pageland, and Westminster. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grants will help the fire departments improve their training, wellness and fitness programs; purchase new firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and, make modifications to fire stations and facilities. Branchville: The Hunter’s Chapel Fire Department will receive a $126,113 grant to purchase a new firefighting vehicle. Chappells: The Chappells Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $64,648 grant. Hampton: Hampton County Fire-Rescue will receive a $252,818 grant. Pageland: The High Point Fire District will receive a $65,392 grant. Westminster: The South Union Fire Department will receive a $52,709 grant to purchase a new firefighting vehicle. The Assistance program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants were made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####Jun 03 2003
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded Lexington County a $276,614 grant for the improvement of the Adult Treatment Court. The court provides judicial supervision for nonviolent adult criminal offenders as they participate in addiction treatment services. They also monitor the offenders' progress in treatment to stop their use of drugs, end their involvement in crime and improve their ability to function as responsible citizens. “Drug court is an innovative approach to punishment of non-violent drug offenders,” said Graham.Jun 03 2003
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Medical University of South Carolina has been awarded a $272,971 grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for training in alcohol research. “Alcoholism is a deadly disease that affects the lives of many people,” said Graham. “The research conducted at MUSC has the potential to improve the quality of life for those that suffer from the damaging effects of alcohol abuse.”Jun 03 2003
Kevin Bishop or Wes Hickman
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ has awarded Clemson University a $247,129 grant for a project in conjunction with the Chesterfield County Coordinating Council Rural Planning Project. The funds are to be used to expand the availability of effective substance abuse treatment and recovery services to improve the lives of those affected by alcohol and drug addictions. The program also seeks to reduce the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on individuals and families and address mental health needs. “These funds will improve the ability of rural communities to provide services to people who are battling substance abuse and provide mental health services to those who need it,” said Graham. “The goal is to improve the lives of individuals and families, and improve the quality of life in the community.”Jun 03 2003
South Carolina Awarded Over $42 Million from HUD
Sumter, Charleston, and Santee-Lynches HOME Consortium Receive Individual Grants
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded South Carolina $42.8 million in grant money for fiscal year 2003. The awards consist of $27 million for the Community Development Block Grant Program; $13.2 million for the HOME Investment Partnership Program; $1.4 million for the Emergency Shelter Grant Program; and $1.1 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program.- The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) develops viable communities and provides decent housing and a suitable living environment by expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate income households.
- The HOME Investment Partnership Program creates affordable housing for low-come households. It allows communities to design and implement strategies tailored to their own needs and priorities.
- The Emergency Shelter Grant Program provides funds for the rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for use as emergency shelter for the homeless and for homeless prevention activities.
- The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program addresses the housing needs of low-income persons diagnosed with AIDS.
- Sumter will receive $476,000 for CDBG Programs primarily consisting of youth employment, downtown historic preservations, affordable housing, demolition of substandard structures, and improvements including parks, streets and drainage.
- Charleston will receive $1.31 million for CDBG Programs, $923,734 for HOME Investment Partnership Programs, and $401,000 for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Programs.
- The Santee-Lynches HOME Consortium will receive $1 million for HOME Investment Partnership Programs in Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter counties for affordable homeownership programs, housing rehabilitation, and housing assistance for the elderly.
