(Columbia, SC) - Congressman Jim Clyburn released the following statement on the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission’s vote on repurposing federal funds for local highway projects:

“I support the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission’s action today to re-purpose certain federal highway funds to make critical investments in communities in the 6th Congressional District.  Today’s action will create jobs, improve infrastructure, enhance public safety and contribute to essential community development and revitalization. 

Many of the communities that will benefit from this action have suffered decades of neglect. I was proud to work with local elected officials and community leaders to repurpose  these funds for projects they have championed for decades and are prepared to meet the 20% match requirement.  Consequently, these projects - which meet the legal requirement of being within a 50-mile radius of the original site -  will not cost South Carolina taxpayers any additional funds or take away any state resources from other highway projects.”

List of projects receiving these re-purposed federal funds:

Manning Ave./N. Main Corridor Revitalization (Sumter) - $11,491,338 – Requested by City of Sumter

Russell Street/Magnolia Street Revitalization (Orangeburg) - $6,500,000 – Requested by Orangeburg County

S. Main Street (Columbia) – $3,027,789 – Requested by the University of South Carolina

Zan Street (Orangeburg) - $500,000 – Partnership between SCDOT, City of Orangeburg, Orangeburg County, and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments

Today’s action by the Commission is in accordance with Public Law 114-13, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2016.