Author Archives: Rob, article copied from newspaper listed below

Town is planning for what comes next

Great Falls has spent a lot of time preparing for the whitewater recreational opportunities that are coming to the area. Now, they are preparing for what comes along with it.

From the time Duke Energy announced it would build a new state park and enable whitewater recreation in Great Falls as part of its relicensing agreement […]

SC has $25M to help people catch up on rent, mortgages

Approximately $25 million in CARES Act funding has been allocated to SC to be used toward assisting low to moderate income homeowners and renters who have fallen behind on payments due to COVID-19. The program is called “SC Stay” and will be administered by SC Housing.
SC Stay www.schousing.com/Home/SC-Stay

Eligibility
1. COVID-19 Impact:
Must be a Homeowner or Renter […]

Catawba Local Area Subsequent Designation Taking Public Comment

View Local Workforce Development Area Subsequent Designation Petition

View County Consortium Agreement

View Attachment A – WIOA Local Workforce Development Board Membership

View Attachment B – Designation of Grant Recipient/Fiscal Agent

Public comment will be taken through Feb. 1, 2021.  Comments should be sent to Nicole Lawing at Catawba Regional.

SCDOT requesting public comment on two projects

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is providing notification of a public comment notices. This information will be available for public review and comment through  February 17, 2021 on the SCDOT’s website via the links provided below.

SCDOT Requests Public Comment on:

A STIP Amendment to Remove Work Phases at Black River Road (S-12) from US […]

COVID is actually creating jobs in this industry. Here’s when and where to get one.

A company in charge of cleaning for several area school districts and in other settings has jobs available.

The Budd Group will hold a hiring event 1-3 p.m. Jan. 6 at 133 Church Street in Chester. SC Works Catawba will host the event and have a career coach for job-seekers, along with laptops, wi-fi and printing if needed. […]

Catawba Regional Council of Government Receives National Association of Development Organizations 2020 Impact Award

WASHINGTON, DC – Catawba Regional Council of Governments based in Rock Hill, South Carolina has received a 2020 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the City of Tega Cay 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update.

The City of Tega Cay, with assistance from the Catawba Regional Council of Governments and resident […]

City gets $409K grant for water line to business park

The city of Lancaster has been awarded a $409,000 grant to help improve infrastructure off S.C. 9.
The grant is from the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority and will pay almost half the cost of the project. The city is extending water lines at Air Rail Business Park off S.C. 9 to help keep up with the […]

Carlisle awarded $1.2 million

The Town of Carlisle will use two grants totaling more than $1.2 million to upgrade its sewer pump stations even as it also considers its options for the future processing of its wastewater in light of the closing of Carlisle Finishing.

In a Saturday morning (September 26) interview with The Union Times, Carlisle Mayor Mary Ferguson-Glenn […]

Learn more about The State Revolving Funds

The State Revolving Funds (SRF) program offers long-term, below market financing for qualified infrastructure projects. It is managed jointly by the RIA and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Click here to learn more about the State Revolving Funds (SRF).

20 high-tech design jobs coming to Indian Land

Another Charlotte-based company is moving its operation to Indian Land, a $450,000 investment that will create 20 new, high-paying jobs.
SynTech Design, a division of Synergy Steel, announced plans to open on Red Ventures Drive by the end of November. Nine of the 20 jobs are existing, and 11 of them will be new.
SynTech Design provides […]

Textile Communities Distress Criteria Map – Catawba Region (2019)

Textile Communities Distress Criteria Map – Catawba Region (2019)

Curbside Job Fair – September 24th in Rock Hill, SC

Below is a list of the Businesses who will be represented:

The City of Rock Hill
York County Government
York County Board of Disabilities
Wikoff Color Corporation
National Machining & Fabrication
Morcon Tissue
Affinity Health
North Central Family Medicine
F. Schumacher & Co
JWJ Consulting
A+ Medical
Samaritan’s Purse
Performance Food Group
FedEx
Carolina Poly
Arcosa
Distribution Direct
Boise Cascade
Quotable Cleaning LLC
Oceana Gold Mine
Schaeffler Group
Nutramax Laboratories
Fort Mill School District
UNFI
US Foods
Composite Resources, LLC

South Carolina’s Employment Situation – July 2020

Click here to view the Press Release.

Click here to view the Employment and Workforce Executive Director Dan Ellzey’s July 2020 Employment Situation Statement.

In Memoriam – Robby Moody

Our community is deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Robert Carson Moody, favorably known as Robby, since his passing on Saturday, August 1st, 2020, while hiking with one of his beloved children.

Robby was the son of Mrs. Mary A. Schirmer Moody and the late Mr. Alton Eugene Moody. Robby is survived by his mother, […]

SC Works Employment Assistance Services Go Virtual

Click here to view the CN2 news report.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE INVESTS $14.3 MILLION IN CARES ACT FUNDING TO CAPITALIZE REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA RESPOND TO CORONAVIRUS

Click here to view the press release from the US Economic Development Administration.

Additional Six Weeks of Extended Benefits (EB) Program Announced

Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) extends the Extended Benefits (EB) Program.  Click here to view the news release.

The Town of Van Wyck wants to hear from you!

The Town of Van Wyck is developing the Comprehensive Plan 2020 and needs your input. Residents are invited to share their ideas on Van Wyck’s challenges and its possibilities. The online community survey is available for residents to give feedback on preferred community characteristics, values, development principles, and needs.  Residents can view images of different […]

Chernoff Newman Insights Presentation (NC & SC)

Click here to view the Chernoff Newman Insights Presentation (NC & SC).

2020 Census Response Reminder

Have you completed your Census 2020 Response???

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program News

DEW Continues to Add Resources as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program Successfully Launches in South Carolina.  Click here to view the News Release.

Learn about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and how to apply

The CORONOVIRUS AID, RELIEF, and ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT ANNOUNCEMENT:

The CARES Act authorizes $100M in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment and related supplies for our nation’s first responders. As fire departments provide lifesaving emergency medical response to more and more communities impacted by COVID-19, FEMA AFG is offering an additional funding opportunity for the fire service community to […]

UPDATE – Small Business Loan Guidance Resources

Keeping our Lenders and Resource Partners in the loop so you can help us share this information on how people can receive the $10,000 Advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) when you receive inquiries.

This is an excellent website to obtain the most up to date information on what is out there.  PPP loans […]

Check out SC Department of Unemployment & Workforce Youtube page for helpful tutorial videos

Have you checked out the DEW #Youtube lately? We have 12 step-by-step tutorial videos that may answer your questions, so you can avoid the wait on the phone! https://www.youtube.com/cha…/UChlual2_-yRuKdgTwcIMmLQ/videos

Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide […]

2020 Census Outreach Materials and Toolkits

Households across the U.S. will receive official Census Bureau mailings this month. Shareable census outreach materials with information about the Census and how results impact your region as well as a Community Benefits Toolkit can be found at 2020Census.gov. The Census Bureau also offers ready-made messaging and graphics to help you spread the word. View […]

A bright future

A new economic development project is set to take flight in Chester County.

On Monday, Chester County Council approved third and final reading for a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for the company behind the code name “Project Sparrow.”

“Since this is third reading, can we reveal the company now?” asked County Councilman Alex Oliphant.

The company was prepared to announce […]

German firm bringing 22 jobs to IL

Lancaster County has landed another global company.
The S.C. Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that Rembe, a German-based maker of specialty equipment that protects manufacturing plants from dust explosions, will invest $3.4 million and create 22 new jobs at Bailes Ridge Corporate Park in Indian Land.
Rembe (pronounced REM-bee) intends to build a multipurpose complex that will […]

US Census could mean big money for York County roads, schools, politics

York County has two big reasons to make sure all its residents get counted.

“We get that raw data and that raw data is used for two things — money and power,” said Jan Smiley with the U.S. Census Bureau. “That’s what it comes down to.”

Smiley is a Fort Mill resident of more than 30 years. She […]

Check out how SCDOT is at work in our region

Check out the Lockhart Bridges Project Update by clicking here.

Also, hear about the SC 160 and I 77 Project Community Meeting by clicking here.

Catawba Regional Development Corporation Update

When New York By The Slice owner, Kendrick Hill (pictured with his wife, Gracie) decided to purchase the building he had been leasing for seven years South State Bank and Catawba Regional Council of Governments partnered to assist with the financing. The restaurant currently has six employees.

New York By The Slice Italian Restaurant
921 West Carolina […]

Take part in “Beyond 77” transportation study

How do we go beyond I-77?

As the main artery running through Charlotte, the 68-mile stretch of interstate between Statesville, NC and Rock Hill, SC serves a large community. The I-77 corridor is greater than just the interstate itself. It is a network of connections that allow us to mobilize our lives every day. That’s […]

Planning and Zoning Officials Training Calendar – Spring 2020

Click here to view the training calendar for Spring 2020.

Job fairs for census hiring in Lancaster County

Fueled by Panhandle growth, the county’s population has skyrocketed almost 25 percent since the last census was taken in 2010.
With that growth explosion and no slowdown in sight, it’s a given that county residents will see a drastic change in local government once the population results from the upcoming 2020 Census are compiled.
At least three […]

SC 160/I-77 Interchange Reconfiguration Public Meeting Notice

Meeting:

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will host a Public Information Meeting for the SC-160/I-77 Interchange Reconfiguration Project on Thursday, January 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Real Life Church, which is located at 1930 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708. This public meeting will have an open house format and no formal […]

County gets $724K grant to help create 153 new jobs

Lancaster County has been awarded a $724,400 federal grant to facilitate the $18 million expansion of a local manufacturer that will create 153 new jobs.
The U.S. Commerce Department announced Thursday that the money will help pay for improvements to an existing county road, though the road isn’t named.
“Reliable infrastructure systems are critical… and that’s particularly […]

Union awarded $500,000 grant

The City of Union will use a $500,000 state grant to help fund the demolition of approximately 30 blighted properties on a total of 10 streets in the downtown area.

In a letter sent to City of Union Mayor Harold Thompson, SC District 18 Sen. Ronnie Cromer announced that the city had been awarded a $500,000 […]

Check out how SCDOT is at work in our region

The following videos are updates from SCDOT on the road work that is taking place in our region.

Chester County

Lancaster County

Union County

York County SC Pennies for Progress road construction update

On Monday night, Pennies for Progress manager Patrick Hamilton updated York County Council on several major road projects happening in the county.

Projects include major highway widening, intersection improvements and resurfacing.

Here are the highlights of what’s happening now:

▪ S.C. 160 West going into North Carolina, near Zoar Road just outside of Tega Cay, has curb and gutter installed, with […]

Manufacturer eyes 200-job, $20M expansion

A Lancaster County manufacturer may be on the verge of expanding to create 200 new jobs here in the coming months.
No one will publically identify the company, which is being referred to as “Project Dumpling” by the Lancaster County Economic Development Department.
Members of Lancaster County Council unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance Tuesday night […]

A swim beach, camping and more could start a new rush of recreation in Chester County

York isn’t the only county working to get its residents out to the water. Chester leaders are dipping their feet in, too.

Duke Energy sent Chester County a public lease agreement for work planned at Fishing Creek Access Area. Duke would put in a swimming area, fishing pier and more parking.

“It’s going to basically be a […]

City will demolish 17 condemned buildings

Continuing its efforts to remove eyesores from city streets and revitalize neighborhoods, the Lancaster City Council is moving to demolish 17 condemned buildings.
The money comes from a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), to which the city added a 10 percent match of $50,000.
The council last week awarded the demolition contract to Jones Grading & […]

Bring Your Best Ideas to the Southern Panhandle Hands-On Workshop

Bring your best ideas to the Southern Panhandle Hands-On Visioning Workshop happening Tuesday, November 5th at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 7095 Waxhaw Highway, Lancaster, SC.  The workshop will start at 5:30 pm and residents are asked to RSVP to crcog@catawbacog.org.

The Southern Panhandle Small Area Plan includes key areas surrounding Highway 521, south […]

Community Development Block Grant Update

September was a busy month in the life of the grants staff. Two SC RIA projects were submitted and Six CDBG applications were submitted. The SC RIA projects included a request for the replacement of two wastewater pump stations for the Town of Fort Mill and a stormwater/culvert replacement project on Bailes Road for Lancaster […]

Moore: The U.S. Census needs you

Earl Moore, the U.S. Census coordinator for Chester County, brought some compelling reasons to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census: 1,500 of them to be exact.

That’s the average amount, $1,500 per every person in the county that is counted by the census – a total of $15,000 per person for every 10 years the census […]

Greenway taking shape

un rays break through the canopy of leaves overhead, and birds sing to each other in the trees.
Walking a newly cleared path through the dense woodland, you would hardly think you were within Lancaster’s city limits.
“It’s just beautiful. You really feel like you’re in the wilderness,” says Sherri Gregory, president of the Lindsay Pettus Greenway, […]

$400,000 worth of improvements approved

The next step in the expansion of the Union County Airport, improvements to the Union County Fairgrounds, and fixing the leaking roof in the Union County Magistrate’s Office will cost nearly $400,000.

Meeting in special session Thursday evening (August 26) Union County Council voted unanimously to allocate the funds needed to pay for these projects.

Airport Expansion

Supervisor […]

Faddis Concrete Products launching Chester County operations

Faddis Concrete Products, an American-owned provider of high-quality precast concrete products, today announced plans to establish operations in Chester County. The $6.7 million investment will create 60 new jobs.

Since 1989, Faddis Concrete Products has offered a comprehensive selection of approved products for transportation, industrial, architectural and Homeland Security projects.

Located at 2794 Old Richburg Road, Faddis […]

‘The perfect location’: $10M plan, 210 new jobs breathe life into Lancaster Co. site

A kitchen cabinet and bathroom vanity manufacturer is making its home in Lancaster County.

Adornus Cabinetry announced plans Thursday to set up a manufacturing site at 1551 S.C. 9 Bypass. It’s the former Duracell site, once an employer of several hundred people. The Adornus move marks a $10 million investment set to create 210 jobs.

“One of our primary […]

The plan for up to 2,000 new Rock Hill jobs is on track

A Rock Hill business park set to bring up to 2,000 new jobs is a step closer to construction.

On Monday night Rock Hill City Council voted to move forward with an agreement between the city, public and private stakeholders to create a commerce site near the county airport.

“It is a preliminary agreement,” said Stephen Turner, […]