$227 Million for South Carolina Communities

Making America's Greatness Accessible and Affordable for All On February 3, Congress passed —and the President signed into law— a bill completing Fiscal Year funding for 11 of the 12 appropriations accounts that fund the federal government. The bill also funded the 12th account, the Department of Homeland Security, but only for two weeks to allow Congress additional time to resolve differences over Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and practices. That funding expired on Friday, February 13, and the Department of Homeland Security is now shut down until there’s a bipartisan agreement with the White House on ICE reforms. I was pleased to play a key role in negotiating many of the bill’s programs, policies, and funding levels. These investments are already directing millions of dollars to South Carolina and the Sixth Congressional District— and are expected to generate billions in long-term economic impact. I am especially proud to have helped secure $230 million to hire more than 2,500 new air traffic controllers nationwide. The bill also includes $45 million for aviation workforce training to address the national shortage of controllers and prepare the next generation for these vital roles. We all benefit from air traffic controllers’ tireless work to keep the flying public safe. Key Impacts of This Year’s Investments in South Carolina and the Sixth Congressional District The bill’s eleven accounts include more than $227 million for projects throughout South Carolina and across the Sixth District. Statewide $12,400,000 — Antares: Special Purpose Power Generation for Novel Effectors Districtwide $22,455,000 — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lakes Marion and Moultrie
(Supporting the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency serving Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg Counties) Midlands and Pee Dee $1,000,000 — Bamberg County Downtown Renaissance Project $1,092,000 — Orangeburg County Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion $1,000,000 — Clarendon County Intergenerational Wellness Complex Facility Upgrades $1,500,000 — Town of Summerton Blight Removal and Capital Improvements $1,015,000 — Lake City Community Center Facility Upgrades $1,031,000 — Sumter County Public Safety Enhancement Project $1,000,000 — Williamsburg County Solid Waste Recycling Upgrades Lowcountry and Coastal $20,500,000 — Charleston Airport Connector Road Project $5,000,000 — KEEL USA Ship Concept Advanced Design $9,375,000 and $500,000 — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston Water Projects $441,000 — South Carolina Aquarium $825,000 — South Carolina Department of Natural Resources $4,688,000 — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mount Pleasant Water Projects $1,015,000 — Allendale County Facility Upgrades Colleges and Universities South Carolina State University $15,000,000 — Military Science Center for Excellence $30,000,000 — Transportation Resilience and Nuclear Research Claflin University $3,000,000 — Boulevard Street Economic Renewal Project University of South Carolina $12,000,000 — Unmanned Logistics Solutions $6,000,000 — Battery Recycling Research $4,500,000 — Semiconductor Chip Research $12,610,000 — Civil Rights Center $10,000,000 — Veterans Military Center of Excellence $8,000,000 — Talent and Technology Navy Power and Energy Systems (This investment includes Benedict College and South Carolina State University.) Benedict College $1,031,000 — Quantum Information Science Hub Morris College $1,250,000 — Small Business Entrepreneur Incubator Center Vorhees University $1,500,000 — Health and Wellness Center Construction Denmark Technical College $1,015,000 — Clean Technology Facility Construction Do you support these investments in South Carolina and the Sixth Congressional District? Throughout my time in Congress, I have sought to secure meaningful federal investments for the communities I serve, particularly those that have been historically neglected. These investments respond to real, on-the-ground needs and will help South Carolina’s economy grow, improve water infrastructure, support our colleges and universities, and strengthen public safety in rural communities. This law marks another step forward in my commitment to making America’s greatness accessible and affordable to all. Sincerely, Jim