Economic & Community Development

Economic and community development comprises a key element of the work of Central Midland COG. Working as part of an economic development network in the Central Midlands region, staff assists local governments in obtaining grants and loans for businesses from a variety of sources.

Businesses that require assistance with utility infrastructure may be eligible to apply for grants or loans through the economic development branch of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Currently, CMCOG is administering 2 economic development grants funded through CDBG monies. Eligible applicants can obtain 100% CDBG grants for provision of water and sewer to benefit job creation and retention in the state. In Richland County, a total of $500,000 can be provided per business related project. In Newberry County and Lexington County the maximum can be $600,000 and in Fairfield County, the least developed county suffering the most economic distress, the amount can be up to $750,000.

Another source of funding is from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, which may subsidize up to 50% of the total cost of a project. Other supplementary grant funds can be obtained from the Division of Local Government within the S.C. State Budget and Control Board or from loans to install utilities in rural areas from the Rural Economic Community and Development Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Funding for road improvements can be financed through grants from the Coordinating Council for Economic Development at the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Planning for economic development occurs through the use of ongoing EDA and Department of Commerce CDBG funded planning grants to identify goals and objectives for economic development, and to identify projects and rational economic development. In recent years agency staff have helped local governments apply for $2,500 each to analyze the economic reuse potential from the former Leesville College site in Batesburg Leesville and to undertake an interchange feasibility study for Park Road at I-77 in Fairfield County.

In addition to economic development related activity, CMCOG staff can assist local governments in applying for and in the administration of, CDBG grants for community development housing rehabilitation and infrastructure projects which benefit low and moderate income communities. Staff can also provide assistance to local governments to procure funds for home ownership programs and single-family, owner occupied housing rehabilitation. Central Midlands' staff is currently administering four Community Development Block Grants on behalf of local governments in the region, and recently had two new to the SC Department of Commerce. Since 1997 Central Midlands staff has successfully obtained well over $5.5 million in CDBG funds to undertake a variety of projects around the region to benefit low and moderate income citizens.

In summary, CMCOG staff can assist local governments seek grant or loan funding from a variety of federal and state sources, and can mix and match sources of such funding to aid in recruiting businesses to the region and assist existing businesses with relocation or expansion.