Aug 31 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $640,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Branchville, Cameron, Pickens, and Wallace. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The grants were awarded in one of three program areas:
  • Operations and Firefighter Safety Program: The funds may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
  • Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program: The funds may be used for the purchase of firefighting vehicles including pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.
The grants awarded include: Abbeville City of Abbeville Fire Department will receive a $24,855 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Branchville Cattle Creek Fire Department will receive a $185,250 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Cameron Cameron Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $190,000 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Pickens Holly Springs Fire Department will receive a $71,438 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Wallace Wallace Fire Department will receive a $171,950 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####

Aug 31 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced the Columbia Metropolitan Airport will receive a $1,591,032 increase to a previously awarded grant for airport improvements. This brings the total grant award for this project to $5,998,940. The money will be used to rehabilitate and increase apron areas. The funding also improves the terminal building by acquiring and installing loading bridges to enhance passenger and airline efficiency. Safety at the airport will be enhanced by the installation of perimeter fencing around a portion of the airport boundary. In addition, the airport will purchase an aircraft rescue and fire fighting rapid intervention vehicle. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####

Aug 30 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced South Carolina State University will receive a $150,000 grant to support the school’s rehabilitation counseling program. South Carolina State University’s rehabilitation counseling program was started in 1972 and was the first such program at a Historically Black College and University. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Aug 29 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Myrtle Beach International Airport will receive $930,000 in federal grant money for taxiway rehabilitation. This is the third and final phase in the rehabilitation of Taxiway J. “I've been very impressed by the growth of air travel in Myrtle Beach,” said Graham “We must continue to build the necessary infrastructure to allow the airport to grow. There's no doubt in my mind that increased air travel will tremendously enhance economic opportunities in the Grand Strand.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####

Aug 25 2005

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) announced a grant of $500,000 to the city of Florence for the purpose of air service improvement. The grant has been awarded under the Small Community Air Service Development Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation. It will be used to institute a comprehensive marketing program to increase use of the airport. Local sources will contribute additional funds as well as provide in-kind contributions to this community effort. The program helps communities address the challenges of local air service, such as high fares and insufficient levels of service. The grants will be used by communities around the country for programs such as financial incentives to air carriers, studies to determine air service needs, and marketing programs that encourage communities to use commercial carriers offering local air service. ###

Aug 24 2005

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham announced $1,079,479 in grants for South Carolina Fire Departments. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. For the FY 2005 program, Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, $650 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The grants were awarded in one of two program areas:
  • Operations and Firefighter Safety Program: The funds may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
  • Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program: The funds may be used for the purchase of firefighting vehicles including pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats. The following South Carolina cities were awarded grants: Anderson Center Rock Fire Department will receive a $116,824 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Elloree Elloree Fire Department will receive a $185,250 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Midway Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $235,600 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Eutawville Eutawville Fire Department will receive a $93,110 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Moncks Corner Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department will receive a $61,299 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Seneca Friendship Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $86,292 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Sharon Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $118,750 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Simpsonville Simpsonville Fire Department will receive a $46,800 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. St. Matthews Fort Motte Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $97,090 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Whitmire Whitmire Fire Department will receive a $38,464 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. ####

Aug 23 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Marion County School District Two will receive an $813,679 Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant. The Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative is a national grant program that provides federal funds to create safe and drug-free schools, develop social skills, and promote healthy childhood development. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Aug 23 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Lancaster County School District will receive an $894,523 Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant. The Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative is a national grant program that provides federal funds to create safe and drug-free schools, develop social skills, and promote healthy childhood development. Graham recently visited Lancaster and met with local officials to discuss education, social security, and other issues of local concern. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Aug 19 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) today announced nearly $450,000 in grants to counties and cities throughout South Carolina to support local law enforcement. Grant recipients include: Counties
  • Chester County will receive $20,363 to purchase holsters, shotguns, an evidence and property module, and other equipment.
  • Chesterfield County will receive $21,203 to purchase equipment for drug and alcohol interdiction and counter terrorism programs.
  • Clarendon County will receive $18,803 to purchase undercover surveillance equipment.
  • Georgetown County will receive $30,885 to purchase computer hardware and software.
  • Jasper County will receive $14,082 to purchase hard communications infrastructure and enhance the Mobile Data Project.
  • Kershaw County will receive $25,444 to purchase security cameras, audio/video equipment, and weapons. In addition funds will be used to provide specialized training for officers.
  • Lancaster County will receive $26,124 to update computer hardware for the patrol division, and to purchase uniforms and training equipment.
  • Oconee County will receive $23,244 to purchase radios, forensic and crime scene supplies, cameras, canine unit equipment, emergency response and personal protective equipment, tactical and surveillance equipment, and training aids.
Cities
  • Anderson will receive $24,804 to support the “Street Level Criminal Apprehension Program.”
  • Chester will receive $18,363 to purchase body armor, uniforms, and a certified trained drug dog.
  • Columbia will receive $148,784 to purchase in-car digital cameras, 800MHz radios, mobile data terminals, mobile and field based reporting software, forensic lab supplies, prison cages for patrol vehicles, computers, and printers.
  • Hartsville will receive $17,523 to purchase equipment for traffic safety and traffic enforcement including vests, cones, handheld radar units, and a speed monitor trailer.
  • Myrtle Beach will receive $46,527 to purchase a radar unit, traffic accident investigation equipment, and motorcycle communications kits.
  • York will receive $13,122 to support safety, security, and traffic control activities.
All grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. ####

Aug 18 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced North Charleston will receive a $225,000 grant to support the Weed and Seed program. Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in ‘weeding out’ criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and ‘seeding’ brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization. This is the fifth award for the North Charleston program which serves four neighborhoods in the community. During this project period, program goals include reducing gun violence, improving quality of life in the neighborhoods, providing human resource programs to address the needs of residents, and improving the physical condition of the neighborhoods. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####