Dorchester County receives $1 million grant for waterline upgrades, fire hydrants in Stratton Capers community

 DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)- Dorchester County can now move forward with a project that officials say will help increase water supply to the Stratton Capers community after securing state funding.

The county was awarded a $1 million Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) to begin the first construction phase of the water infrastructure project.

Dorchester County Council Chairman Todd Friddle said Wednesday the county is “very excited” to have received the funding.

“We appreciate this grant funding as we enhance our infrastructure and contribute to the overall well-being of the Stratton Capers neighborhood,” he added in a statement.

According to Friddle, the money will be used to upgrade nearly 4,700 linear feet of PVC waterlines in the community, which are currently as small as two-inch lines.

“What this will do is take some infrastructure, water infrastructure, in Stratton Capers that is way under and it’s gonna take it to 8-inch waterlines,” he told News 2 in March, adding that it will improve water pressure in homes.

Part of the funding would also be used to install multiple new fire hydrants throughout the neighborhood, allowing firefighters to get water to homes quicker during an emergency.

The project is just one of ten public improvement projects statewide selected to receive CDBG funds, totaling $10.5 million.

“The CDBG program creates infrastructure and revitalization opportunities in communities that may otherwise have limited access to funding,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “As South Carolina remains a leading destination for businesses and citizens alike, supporting these projects is vital to keep communities of all sizes growing and moving forward.”

Local governments that receive CDBG funds must provide at least a 10% match in funding to complete the projects, according to officials.

Construction on the Stratton Capers project is slated to begin in early September.