Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on the announcement Vought Aircraft Industries and Alenia Aeronautica will open a plant in North Charleston. Graham said: “Today’s decision by Vought-Alenia to locate a new facility in South Carolina is one of the most important economic development events in recent memory. South Carolina is fortunate to welcome world-class aviation entrepreneurs to our state’s business community. “Governor Sanford and Secretary Faith overcame unbelievable competition to turn this day into reality. The business proposal they put together demonstrated a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial economy and how our state can be a valuable partner in such endeavors. I had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand their efforts to make this a winning agreement for all parties. They did a great job and deserve much praise for today’s announcement. “This truly is a defining moment in South Carolina’s efforts to diversify our economy and help lay the foundation for other business opportunities in the aviation industry.” #####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $326,000 in grants to fire departments in Bath and Simpsonville. “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. Bath Bath Fire Department will receive $61,956. Simpsonville Simpsonville Fire Department will receive $264,240. The Assistance to Firefighters grant 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 are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####

Wes Hickman- Graham (202-224-5972) or Colleen Mangone- Barrett (202-225-5301)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Third Congressional District Representative Gresham Barrett (R-Westminster) say they are pleased Congress appropriated funds to push the MOX (Mixed Oxide Fuel) program forward as soon as liability issues with the Russian Federation are resolved and keep the cleanup efforts at Savannah River Site (SRS) moving full-speed ahead. The funding was approved by the Congress this weekend and President Bush is expected to sign it into law in the coming days. Funding for the Site includes: MOX: The only location in the United States where surplus weapons-grade plutonium will be converted in nuclear fuel, SRS will receive $300.3 million for MOX. The figure includes $268 million for construction of the MOX Fuel Fabrication facility and $32.3 million for the Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility. The spending bill also included a language expressing Congress’ commitment to ensuring the liability issues with the Russians be resolved as soon as possible. CLEANUP and WASTE STORAGE: Under a plan approved earlier this year, the Site will receive an additional $162.2 million in accelerated cleanup funding to continue the cleanup, removal, and storage of approximately 37 million gallons of waste contained in 49 underground storage tanks at the Site. The figure includes $23.658 million for design and procurement of the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) and $26 million for construction costs. The SWPF is the lynchpin in separating the wastes in tanks for ultimate disposition. Earlier this year Graham and Barrett worked together, along with Governor Mark Sanford and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), to adopt language allowing cleanup efforts to continue at the Site after being blocked by an Idaho court ruling. The legislative fix was signed into law by President Bush on October 28. SRS will receive $43.827 million for a second Glass Waste Storage building. The Site will receive about $1.15 billion for all cleanup and operation efforts. MODERN PIT FACILITY: The Site will receive $7 million for design work on a Modern Pit Facility (MPF). TRITIUM EXTRACTION: The Site will receive $21 million for the tritium extraction facility. “Overall, it’s been a good year for the Site in terms of funding and policy,” said Graham. “We’ve put the funding in place for construction of the MOX facility and now we just need the liability issues resolved. The Bush Administration understands how important it is we get this project moving so we can take this material off the market and terrorists cannot get their hands on it. The quicker we can get our MOX facilities up and running the better.” “In a time of tight budgets and war, I'm pleased with the funding we were able to secure for the Savannah River Site,” said Barrett. “We accomplished a lot this year for the site and the funding provided will allow the site to move forward with important missions such as MOX, MPF and clean up.” “We’re making progress in cleaning up the Cold War legacy of the Site,” said Graham. “The WIR fix, which has already been signed into law, gave us the legal green light to move full-speed ahead on cleanup. The funding in this budget gives us the financial resources to ensure we can go at that pace. I’m very pleased with what we’ve been able to do for the Site this year and the entire South Carolina delegation should be commended.” #####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted in support of the spending bill that finances most federal agencies. The vote in the Senate was 65-30. A similar measure was passed by the House of Representatives today, and a vote on the final version will occur next week. President Bush should sign it into law. The measure covers the government budget year that started October 1 and is a compilation of nine separate bills financing all federal agencies except the Department of Defense and the Homeland Security Department. “I am pleased that my colleagues have come together in a bipartisan fashion to finish the work on the federal budget,” said Graham. “Every Senator was asked to give up some projects and make sacrifices for the common good.” “I would like to thank my colleague, Senator Hollings, and all the members of the delegation for working together to benefit all South Carolinians,” said Graham. The projects for the Lowcountry and Pee Dee of South Carolina include: Beaufort County:

• $2 million for US 278.
• $200,000 to Beaufort Memorial Hospital for facilities and equipment.

Bennettsville:

• $36 million for the activation of a new prison facility.

Berkeley County:

• $20 million towards land acquisition for Bonneau Ferry.

Charleston:

• $20 million for a cooperative agreement between MUSC and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies for construction of research facilities.
• $14 million to the Army Corp of Engineers for operations and maintenance at Charleston Harbor.
• $10 million for the Medical University of South Carolina oncology center.
• $5 million for Project Seahawk to enhance intermodal security and law enforcement within our nation’s coastal cities.
• $4 million dollars to the Medical University of South Carolina for buses and bus facilities.
• $3.3 million to the Army Corp of Engineers for operations and maintenance of the Cooper River/Charleston Harbor.
• $3 million to the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory.
• $2 million for Water Missions International, a faith-based nonprofit engineering organization, to develop clean water treatment projects in developing countries.
• $2 million to the College of Charleston for the School of Science and Mathematics
• $1.5 million to the Army Corp of Engineers for the deepening and widening of Charleston Harbor.
• $1 million for the King Street and Spring Cannon Corridor.
• $700,000 to From Darkness to Light, of which $450,000 is to develop an online training and certificate program to prevent child sexual abuse.
• $350,000 to the Army Corp of Engineers for general construction at Folly Beach.
• $275,000 to the Advanced Technology Institute for a demonstration program of diabetes diagnostic and care services through tele-health technology.
• $250,000 to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for study of the ‘Charleston Bump’
• $250,000 for Charleston CPW for wastewater tunnel replacement.
• $250,000 for the American College of the Building Arts for curriculum development, educational facility, and equipment.
• $250,000 to Charleston Southern University for facilities and equipment.
• $250,000 to Trident Technical College to equip the hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts program.
• $225,000 to the Army Corp of Engineers for operations and maintenance of the Folly River.
• $100,000 for restoration and preservation of the C.S.S. Hunley.

Colleton County:

• $50,000 to the Colleton County Memorial Library for books and library materials.

Dillon County:

• $1 million to the Dillon County Airport for land acquisition and runway construction

Florence County:

• $1.5 million for the I-95/SC 327 interchange.
• $500,000 for law enforcement technologies.
• $50,000 to USDA ARS Florence for funding to continue animal waste treatment efforts.

Georgetown County:

• $3.48 million to the Army Corp of Engineers for operations and maintenance at Georgetown Harbor.
• $1 million to the Georgetown County Airport for various improvements.
• $145,000 to Five Rivers Community Development Corporation for land acquisition.
• $28,000 to the Army Corp of Engineers for operations and maintenance at Murrells Inlet.

Horry County:

• $500,000 to Horry County Airport to conduct an airport study.

Jasper County:

• $200,000 to the Town of Ridgeland for the Wagon Branch Water Project.

Lee County:

• $1.5 million for Bishopville Bypass construction.
• $97,000 to the Lee County Public Library for facilities expansion and relocation.

Mt. Pleasant:

• $750,000 for the US 17 and Bowman Road interchange improvements.
• $150,000 to Mt. Pleasant Waterworks for the Rural Roads Gravity Wastewater Extension Project.

Myrtle Beach:

• $4 million for I-73.
• $500,000 to the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation for a new storm water drainage system.
• $125,000 for expansion of the Myrtle Beach International Convention Center.

Walterboro:

• $1.6 million to the Lowcountry Regional Airport for the installation of an Instrument Landing System on Runway 23.

Williamsburg County:

• $39.47 million for prison opening.
• $50,000 to the Williamsburg County Library in Kingstree for books, library materials, and computers.

Other Projects of Note:

• $3 million to the Army Corp of Engineers for general construction at Lakes Moultrie and Marion.
• $2.5 million to the Army Corp of Engineers for operations and maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
• $1.25 million to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for land acquisition within the Waccamaw Wildlife Refuge.
• $850,000 for Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
• $900,000 for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor Discovery Sites.
• $500,000 to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources southeastern regional taxonomic center for marine and estuarine organisms.
• $500,000 to National Oceanic and Atmospheric for a geodetic survey in South Carolina.
• $200,000 to NOAA for debris removal.

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