South Carolina is set to receive more than $62.4 million in federal grants to continue to improve the state’s coastal resilience. The announcement comes just weeks after a coastal storm flooded much of the Lowcountry.
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., joined S.C. Rep. Spencer Wetmore, D-Charleston, and Environmental Defense Fund Action president David Kieve for the announcement and to highlight the ways the funding will protect the state from future disasters. Funding, more of which is expected, will be used for flood-proofing and storm resistance as well as resilience projects involving clean energy and electrification.
“These federal investments have been, and will continue to be, transformative for South Carolina,” Clyburn said. “From creating jobs to fortifying our communities against extreme weather, they will help prepare every South Carolinian for a changing world — no matter where they live or how much money they make.”
Wetmore said her district, which includes several Lowcountry sea islands, is “on the front lines” of sea level change, citing the recent nor’easter that washed away as much as 20 feet of sand dunes on the beach.
“We are the ones who have to move our cars every time there’s a full moon high tide,” she said. “We’re the ones cleaning out our basement after every single storm every time it rains. We’re the ones at risk of losing our homes if the ditches aren’t exactly clean for a high tide. For us, this means keeping our homes and our livelihoods.”
In other news:
CP NEWS: Cainhoy, Huger residents warn of I-526’s impact. Cainhoy and Huger residents who have seen how Interstate 526 has changed their communities are issuing a stark warning if the freeway is extended across Johns and James islands: If you build it, you’ll get rampant development, a traffic deluge and life-changing “culture shock.”
Charleston mayor-elect invites Biden to inauguration. Charleston mayor-elect William Cogswell has invited President Joe Biden to speak at his inauguration during the president’s visit on Monday.
Christmas travel tops record year for Charleston airport. Charleston International saw a 16% increase in travelers during peak Christmas travel week compared to the same period of 2022, ending the year with a record-breaking yearly total of 5.7 million passengers passing through the airport.
S.C. Statehouse, other capitols evacuated after bomb threat. The South Carolina statehouse was one of several capitols Wednesday to receive bomb threats, resulting in an evacuation and investigation from state authorities. Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were among other states that evacuated Statehouse offices or buildings.
Parents, students, teachers scramble as school delays opening again. Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori School was set to open Wednesday, but Charleston County School District officials informed parents via email Tuesday night that they’d be moving to eLearning after failing to receive their Certificate of Occupancy, delaying the opening of the school once again.
Charleston inn near Union Pier to unveil new name, pub after renovation. The 45-room Ansonborough Inn is undergoing a major renovation into a more “contemporary historic” property, and will soon unveil its new name and pub.
Murdaugh request for new trial must go to S.C. Supreme Court. Defense attorneys for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh have been ordered to submit their request for a new trial directly to the South Carolina Supreme Court.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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