By Kendra Wilkerson, SC Rural Infrastructure Authority
The SC Infrastructure Investment Program is an unprecedented, one-time investment in the water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure of this state. Using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated by the SC General Assembly, the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority built upon an established model of efficient, customer-focused grant administration to deploy $1.469 billion dollars to fund 219 projects across the state. These SCIIP grants — together with other recent one-time federal funding directed at critical infrastructure such as water and sewer, roads and broadband — are already boosting the state’s economic growth. A recent study found that these infrastructure investments are contributing to the creation of over 275,000 jobs and $54 billion in economic output over seven years, from FY 2021 to FY 2027.
Two years after SCIIP awards were made, infrastructure transformation is underway as most projects are under construction, payments are ramping up and some projects are nearing completion. The following are just a few examples of the many projects in process.
The Pendleton-Clemson Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade involves regional cooperation to address sewer improvement and expansion needs. The Town of Pendleton owns and operates the facility and shares capacity with the City of Clemson and Anderson County. Unprecedented recent growth has increased the demand for sewer treatment and the plant has surpassed its maximum capacity of 2 million gallons per day, or MGD. To accommodate current needs as well as the robust development in the surrounding area, the three neighboring entities developed a partnership agreement to share the local cost of expanding the plant’s capacity to 5 MGD. The project is supported by a $10 million SCIIP grant and the full cost is expected to exceed $60 million.
Expansion of the Pendleton-Clemson Wastewater Treatment Plant
increased its capacity to 5 million gallons per day. Photo: SC RIA.
The City of Charleston’s King Street Pump Station project will mitigate chronic flooding risks at the downtown Charleston intersection of King and Huger Streets, which is part of an estimated 60,000 one-way automobile trips each day. It is ranked as one of the most flood-prone areas in Charleston County and is closed for an average of five days per year. Upon completion of the project, which includes stormwater storage, a pump station, an outfall pipe system and a backup generator, the intersection will remain passable during 25-year storm events. Construction began in the fall of 2024 and is on track to be completed in 2026. The $20 million project is funded by a $10 million SCIIP grant, with the city covering the remaining costs.
Charleston’s King Street Pump Station project was designed to reduce flooding events at a key
downtown intersection. Photo: SC RIA.
The City of Pickens received nearly $5 million in SCIIP funds to address water quality issues by replacing over 8 miles of aging and undersized water mains and fire hydrants. The city contributed more than $1 million on the project, which was a priority on its capital improvement plan because of increasing line breaks that temporarily left customers with little or no water pressure and required costly repairs. Replacement with 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch ductile iron pipe addresses these concerns as well as hydraulic and capacity limitations in some portions of the project area. Construction was completed in early 2025, well ahead of SCIIP deadlines.
SC Infrastructure Investment Program funds helped the City of
Pickens replace more than 8 miles of inadequate water mains. Photo: SC RIA.
The SCIIP funds making these projects possible have not been affected by recent changes to some federal funding programs. With a firm federal deadline of December 2026 to expend all ARPA funds, any SCIIP grantees that cannot complete their projects by the June 2026 grant period end date should be in close communication with their RIA grant manager regarding the project timeline.
Even in the wake of these transformational projects, continual investment in infrastructure is required to maintain essential services to South Carolinians. RIA offers state-funded grants for water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure and planning projects through two application rounds each year. The details of the FY26 grant program will be posted to www.ria.sc.gov in July. Those who submitted projects to the State Revolving Funds program in March of this year should monitor online. Use Plans that will be posted this summer. Please reach out to us at 803.737.0390 or info@ria.sc.gov with any questions about RIA’s funding programs.
SCIIP by the Numbers
As of March 2025:
• $1.469 billion awarded
• 219 projects in progress
• 294 contracts approved
• $238 million disbursed