Congressman James E. Clyburn

Proudly Serving the 6th District of South Carolina

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Clyburn & Brown Announce Federal Funding for Coastal Communities

December 22, 2009

(Charleston, SC) – Sixth District Congressman and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and First District Congressman Henry Brown today announced federal investments in two coastal communities.  The Little River Medical Center in Horry County has been awarded $5.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to support community health centers.  The City of Georgetown has been awarded $2.25 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve drainage along US 17/City Hall drainage basin. 

The Little River Medical Center funding is part of the nearly $600 million in ARRA competitively-awarded grants.  To qualify for the funding, a health facility must be a Federally Qualified “Community” Health Center.  Grants will be provided through the Facility Investment Program (FIP) program to address pressing health center facility needs.

“As an outspoken advocate of Community Health Centers, I applaud this award,” Congressman Clyburn said.  “The Little River Medical Center provides a tremendous service for Horry County residents who have fallen through the cracks of our nation’s health care system.” 

“As we experience such harsh economic times and continued high unemployment, these funds will provide much needed relief to the residents of Horry County served by the Little River Medical Center.” Congressman Brown said.

The new ARRA funds are the latest in a series of grants awarded to community health centers, which deliver preventive and primary care services at more than 7,500 service delivery sites around the country to patients regardless of their ability to pay.  Health centers serve more than 17 million patients, about 40 percent of whom have no health insurance.

One other South Carolina federally designated community health center also received funding.  Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services will receive $7.9 million as part of this round of ARRA funding. 

The FEMA grant will enable the City of Georgetown to reduce frequent flooding and expand system capacities of flood hazard and storm water quality mitigation.  These upgrades have been recommended in several studies for Georgetown. 

“This federal funding will support a proven need in the Georgetown community, and improve the quality of life for local residents who endure impassible flooding when there is a heavy rainfall like we have seen in recent weeks,” Congressman Clyburn said. 

“Improving the City of Georgetown’s flood and storm water system has long been a priority of mine and I have requested federal assistance for this project through both the unfinished Highway Bill and the soon-to-be-completed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA),” Congressman Brown said.  “As these legislative vehicles have been delayed, I am pleased that this grant will begin the process of alleviating this dangerous situation.”

The FEMA grant will require local matching funds of $750,000.