The Catawba Regional Council of Governments (COG) has been awarded $5.6 million of competitive funding from the South Carolina Housing Finance and Development Authority’s “Neighborhood Initiative Program” (NIP).   Funds will be used to acquire, demolish, and green blighted residential properties in Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties.   The Catawba Regional Development Corporation, a non-profit affiliate of the Council of Governments, will acquire and manage targeted properties through the demolition and greening process.

“The Neighborhood Initiative Program award will improve many neighborhoods in towns, cities, and counties throughout the Catawba Region by helping stabilize property values and preventing avoidable foreclosures,” said Dr. Eddie Lee, Chair of the Catawba Regional COG Board and Mayor of the City of York.  “I know that the City of York is looking forward to working with the COG to remove blighted housing in our City.  We are excited about the impact that this program will have, and appreciate the work the COG has already done—and will continue to do—to strengthen neighborhoods and improve communities.”

South Carolina received an allocation of funding through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund.  The NIP program was established to reduce residential foreclosures through blight elimination activities.  NIP funds must be utilized by July 2017.

For more information about the Neighborhood Initiative Program, please contact Angela Kirkpatrick at (803) 327-9041.