CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN HIGHLIGHTS HOW THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN WILL HELP MEET SOUTH CAROLINA’S URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS

(Columbia, SC) – Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn released new White House data highlighting the urgency of addressing critical infrastructure needs across South Carolina. This fact sheet details the number of bridges and miles of roads in South Carolina that are in disrepair, the percentage of households without access to broadband, the billions of dollars required for water infrastructure, and more.  These pressing needs underscore the importance of the American Jobs Plan, President Biden’s proposal to make historic investments to improve the nation’s infrastructure and put millions of people back to work.

“The American Jobs Plan will help all South Carolina communities meet their 21st Century challenges,” said Congressman Clyburn. “I am especially pleased that this plan commits significant resources to lower energy costs and end digital deserts, consistent with my Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. Just as rural electrification brought millions of homes into the 20th century, the American Jobs Plan will bring high-speed, affordable broadband to millions of homes in the 21st century.”

The American Society of Civil Engineers 2021 Infrastructure Report Card cited many deficiencies facing South Carolina that require immediate attention. Below are some key statistics on infrastructure needs in the Palmetto State:

• 12% of households do not have access to broadband
• 3,780 miles of road and 745 bridges are in disrepair
• 19% of trains and other transit vehicles in the state are past their useful life
•  267,000 renters pay more than 30% of their income in rent due to shortages in affordable housing units
• South Carolina needs $6.1 billion in modernization costs to ensure safe drinking water
• 34% of families have few or no childcare options in their communities, preventing parents from joining the workforce
• 402,000 veterans in South Carolina rely on VA facilities, which have been chronically underfunded – leading to longer waits and lower quality care
• An average low-income family in South Carolina currently pays 10-12% of their income toward energy bills because their home has not been sufficiently weatherized
• South Carolina has experienced 37 extreme weather events in the past decade, which will only increase in frequency and severity due to the climate crisis.

The American Jobs Plan targets these infrastructure needs and more. This initiative will reenergize our stagnant economy as we begin to recover from the pandemic, and lay the foundation for future economic growth and help ensure our nation’s global competitiveness for decades to come.

“I am proud to support the American Jobs Plan, which will help repair some faults of the past and help ensure that communities of color are not left out of these transformative investments in our infrastructure,” continued Congressman Clyburn. “This is a once-in-a-generation chance to create millions of good-paying jobs which will grow our economy and benefit all communities equitably.”

The full fact sheet is available here.

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