The South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved grant assistance for 21 projects, totaling approximately $23 million, to address critical infrastructure needs related to public health, water quality and resiliency, while also improving capacity for economic opportunities. These projects will benefit more than 30,000 customers in 15 counties across the state.
“These grants will improve infrastructure that is key to ensuring affordable basic services for residents and supporting economic prosperity,” RIA Executive Director Bonnie Ammons said. “Such investments will help local communities thrive.”
All 21 grants support capital improvements that will upgrade aging or undersized water mains, rehabilitate or replace aging sewer lines, improve sewer pump stations and treatment plants and enhance or expand stormwater drains and culverts. Some are designed to enhance infrastructure capacity or facilitate job creation for new and existing businesses.
RIA collaborates with local communities and other partners to maximize the impact of state grant dollars. The RIA grant awards will be combined with more than $28 million in local and other funds to carry out the proposed water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects.
These state grants are generally awarded twice a year through a competitive process that considers the need for improved public health, environmental protection, community sustainability and economic development.
Applications are selected by the RIA board based on criteria including severity of the problem, expected impact and project feasibility. Recipients share in the cost of infrastructure projects by paying for non-construction or other activities and, oftentimes, providing additional funds for construction.
The application deadline for the second grant round is March 23, 2026. To learn more about RIA or how to apply for grant assistance, visit www.ria.sc.gov.