The Upper Savannah region received three grant awards in the Spring 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Infrastructure Round, the S.C. Department of Commerce announced last week.

Upper Savannah COG Community Development staff submitted three grant applications in the round and all three were awarded. Twenty-three grants were awarded statewide.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application deadline was moved back twice due to COVID-19 restrictions, from mid-April to June 15 and finally to July 1.

The City of Clinton, Greenwood County and Laurens County received grant awards.

The Clinton Mill Sewer Upgrade will be funded with $750,000 from CDBG, $500,000 from the Rural Infrasctructure Authority (RIA), and a $149,720 local match for a total project cost of $1,399.720.

The project involves upgrading sewer lines in Clinton Mill Village area, an LMI neighborhood in City of Clinton. The City is currently under Consent Order from SCDHEC due to sanitary sewer overflows in collection system. Proposed project would aid in reduction of inflow and infiltration to the City’s collection system. Project improvement would benefit an estimated 180 units.

Greenwood County will receive $750,000 in CDBG funds with a $262,317 local match for a total of $1,012,317 for the Baptist Sewer Upgrade. The project involves upgrading sewer lines in the Baptist Avenue Area in Greenwood.

The area includes Gilliam Avenue, Baptist Avenue, Evans Street, Percival Avenue, Singleton Street, Byrd Street, Tanyard Avenue, Bay Street and Milwee Avenue. The project will benefit an estimated 90 units.

The Laurens County Highway 56/76 Sewer Upgrades project will receive $715,000 in CDBG funding and a $120,000 local match for total project cost of $835,000. The project proposes to repair two major sections of trunk line at the intersections of Hwy 76/Springdale Drive and Hwy 56/Springdale Drive.

Improvements to intersections will include installing new lines, pipes and manholes and reconnection of force mains. The improvements will benefit an estimated 2,300 units, approximately half the City of Clinton’s population.

Upper Savannah COG has won a 2020 NADO (National Association of Development Organizations) Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award for its involvement in the Town of Ridge Spring Town Square Plaza Project.

The Saluda County town of 910 people was able to redevelop a small parking area into a plaza to accommodate both more parking to support customers of adjacent businesses and an outdoor space for community events and festivals.

Businesses line both sides of Highway 23 and one side of the Town Square that is located between Highway 23 and the railroad line. During the day, the Square’s few parking places were quickly filled during busy times. People would park along any available spot to do business in the Central Business District.

These illegally parked vehicles and the lack of continuous sidewalks contributed to a dangerous environment for pedestrians. There was no marked crosswalk and access for those who may have a disability was limited.

The Town wanted to improve parking and make the area safer while at the same time creating an area for town events and festivals. Plans were drawn up to address the needs expressed by the elected officials, town merchants, and the public.

USCOG helped the town put its ideas into a grant application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and that application was eventually funded in December 2018.

Work began on the CDBG project in November 2019 and was recently completed with Upper Savannah’s Community Development staff administering the project.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) assisted the Town in conducting a sidewalk survey and in developing a plan to encourage more residents to walk and be active. Upper Savannah also participated in the sidewalk survey.

Now the Town has improved and expanded parking (from approximately 25 to 46 spaces), safer sidewalks, a dedicated crosswalk, and a new venue for Town events.

The Town also has a location for a new downtown farmer’s market. A replica railroad water tank with the town logo has been added as a park feature in the plaza. The Town is also applying for a CDBG grant for a second phase of this project to be submitted in September 2020.

The award was one of six claimed by South Carolina councils of government and 79 nationally who are members of NADO. The Impact Awards program honors NADO members for their creative approaches to advancing regional economic development and improved quality of life.

These projects have made significant impacts on their regions and demonstrate the diversity of services and program delivery provided by regional development organizations across the country. The 2020 class of awardees consists of projects from 48 organizations spanning 19 states.

Workforce Development

Workforce development staff and partner agencies are highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as 18,385 workers in the Upper Savannah Workforce Area have applied for unemployment benefits through May 9, according to numbers released by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW).

Predictions indicate that about 18 percent of COVID-19 laid off workers will not be recalled to their jobs, representing more than 3,000 workers in the Upper Savannah Region.

The Upper Savannah Workforce System’s goal is to help those laid off workers quickly transition into new opportunities. Plans include helping workers identify transferable skills and build on to the training that they already have. But some workers will require training to make the move to a new career.

It is expected that workers without a high school diploma, those with a poor work history and those with a criminal record will have the hardest time finding new jobs as employers have a larger pool to pick from.

Some employers will have a difficult time recruiting in the short-term. Unemployment insurance benefits have been enhanced by $600 a week. Some workers are wary of returning to work because they earn more money drawing benefits. UI isn’t a long-term option so the workforce system has to get recipients to start planning their next move.

A higher unemployment rate exists at the same time that budget cuts have been proposed for the local workforce area. The U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act did not include additional funding for training and case management (Upper Savannah Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) or the job matching system (SCDEW).

Plans are to re-open S.C. Works Centers to the public June 3 in Greenwood and Newberry counties and June 4 in Laurens County. Other centers will re-open in some form before July. To allow for social distancing more space will be leased temporarily. Service will be by appointment only initially. Centers will have security.

While centers have been closed, workforce staff have been working remotely communicating with job seekers and employers by phone and email. Upper Savannah Council of Governments has taken a leadership role in identifying businesses contributing to the recovery effort and helping them find staff.

Aging

The Upper Savannah Area Agency on Aging is continuing to be highly affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. But Operation Spread the Joy brought excitement for some area seniors and one Upper Savannah staff member earlier this month.

Operation Spread the Joy was a collaboration between the S.C. Department of Corrections and the S.C. Department on Aging (SCDOA). Inmates made cards and gifts for nursing home residents across South Carolina as part of an effort to lift spirits during the COVID-19 quarantine.

Hundreds of inmates drew cards, made jewelry, and knitted things like caps and footies, stuffed animals, bookmarks, blankets and other comfort items. About 2,000 items were delivered to nursing home residents across the state on May 7, at a time when visitors aren’t allowed into nursing homes or prisons.

“For many of our residents in the facilities, these cards and special items may be the only things they receive during this pandemic,” SCDOA Director Connie Munn said. “We are grateful for the partnership with the Department of Corrections and their efforts to reach out to spread the joy to our older residents.”

USCOG Ombudsman Ericca Livingston participated in Operation Spread the Joy. “It was wonderful being able to see and wave at my residents,” she said. “It made my day to see their faces lighting up with smiles when they saw what was made especially for them.”

Meanwhile, the Farmers Market voucher program for low-income Greenwood County seniors returns this spring. However, changes were necessary due to COVID-19.

Seniors 60 and older must apply online this year and $25 vouchers to eligible seniors will be distributed in June through a curbside pickup. While online registration will be a challenge for many seniors, the limit of exposure to COVID-19 is critical to the senior population.

Seniors can visit dss.sc.gov to complete an online application through May 25, 2020. Once on website, click on Assistance Programs and then Food and Nutrition Programs. After application completion, the S.C. Department of Social Services (DSS) will provide eligibility notification and voucher pick-up information for qualified applicants.

Each eligible person will receive $25 worth of vouchers that may be used to purchase fresh produce at participating markets. Upper Savannah AAA staff will be involved in distributing the vouchers during curbside pickup.

Upper Savannah assessors are doing a record number of assessments as the AAA continues to receive new referrals for all services. Clients are added to services based on a priority score. The AAA continues to add clients to home-delivered meal services, home care services and critical medical transportation services.

Also, additional funding has been received through the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds have been earmarked for home-delivered meals and additional supportive services in our region.

The AAA’s contracted providers for meal and transportation services are facing very difficult challenges, both financially and logistically. Staff has been furloughed and volunteer numbers have declined. Transportation reimbursement for group dining transportation has ceased due to temporary group dining center closures while transportation to medical appointments has declined. There is an increased burden on contractors to provide more home-delivered meals to seniors with fewer available resources.

“We applaud them for their dedication to continue to serve the senior population under difficult circumstances,” Upper Savannah Aging Director Linda McAllister said.

Community Development

Social distancing requirements continue to affect the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process as USCOG Community Development staff prepare applications for sewer improvement projects in the City of Clinton and in Greenwood and Laurens counties.

The S.C. Department of Commerce extended the CDBG infrastructure funding application deadline to June 15, 2020. This round of applications typically due in April requires door-to-door income surveys for qualification purposes, according to Community Development Coordinator Brittany Hallman.

Currently, entities and subrecipients are working to obtain the required surveys to meet the new deadline, while complying with the restrictions of COVID-19.

“We’re stilling working with the localities to collect data for the income surveys,” Hallman said. “So far we have one locality that was able to successfully complete their income surveys for their CDBG application. I’m working on finalizing the data for the application.”

Meanwhile, the Planning Grant deadline was extended to June 5, 2020. The new Planning Grant application has been submitted to Commerce ahead of schedule with award notice expected in July.

The yearly Planning Grant allows continued CDBG support to the Upper Savannah region. This allows CDBG staff funding assistance to work with local governments for project development, needs assessments and technical assistance in the CDBG program.

“The open Planning Grant (for FY 2020) is being prepared for close-out,” she said. “The close-out documents are finalized and waiting for the final de-obligation form from the SC Department of Commerce. Once we receive this form, the close-out package will be ready for Greenwood County’s signature.

Government Services

Social distancing requirements have changed the way public meetings are held, and Government Services Director Rick Green said he continues to get phone calls about how to hold public meetings during these restrictions.

Green has advised that local governments work closely with their attorney for the best advice on how to run public meetings in their community.

The Census Bureau temporarily suspended Census 2020 field data collection activities in March. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations.

The Census Bureau has extended the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31, 2020, so people can still fill out their Census form online at my2020census.gov, or over the phone at 1-844-330-2020.

Green is urging municipalities to continue to promote Census activities as correct Census counts mean more funding for their communities.

Economic Development

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity related to the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

This includes funding for various types of projects including infrastructure, revolving loan funds, planning and technical assistance. Upper Savannah is working with several potential applicants to develop and submit applications.

Meanwhile, the EDA funded projects in the Upper Savannah region continue to progress without interruption. However, the Economic Development Division’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been affected by COVID-19. RLF borrowers who need assistance due to economic slowdowns are getting help through short-term payment deferrals.

Government Services

Social distancing requirements have changed the Census 2020 schedule and the way public meetings are held, according to Government Services Director Rick Green.

The Census Bureau temporarily suspended Census 2020 field data collection activities in March, according to Green. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations. The Census Bureau has extended the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31, 2020, so people can still fill out their Census form online at my2020census.gov, or over the phone at 1-844-330-2020.

The latest Census response rates are listed in the accompanying table.

Green has followed media reports of how public meetings are being handled and has fielded phone calls.

“There have been several questions about how to hold a public meeting during these restrictions,” Green explained. “Planning commissions often have time-sensitive proposals sent to them that require specific action within a certain time frame or the proposal is deemed approved by the planning commission.

“For instance, if a developer applies to a planning commission for a new subdivision, the commission has to either vote yes or no on the application within 60 days or the project is considered approved and moves on to the next phase. If both parties agree to a time extension, that can help, but that is not always possible.

“Social media and programs like Zoom are popular, but not everyone is internet savvy and technology often has glitches,” Green continued.

“I have read media reports about meetings occurring with some elected or appointed officials in the Chamber and some appearing from the internet.

“I have also heard of meetings continuing with strict physical distancing requirements observed by both officials and the public. Local governments should work closely with their attorney for the best advice on how to run public meetings in their community.”

Workforce Development

Workforce development staff and partner agencies are highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as more than 12,000 workers in the Upper Savannah Workforce Area have applied for unemployment.

The need for assistance is widespread due to furloughs caused by the temporary closures of restaurant dining and many other businesses, plus temporary and possibly even permanent closures of some companies.

Unemployment claims in the Upper Savannah area between March 21 and April 18 are 12,151.

Upper Savannah workforce staff is working actively in several areas, including conducting employer outreach to connect businesses with workers if they are hiring, or to unemployment information if they are furloughing workers.

Staff is providing additional recruitment support for businesses that are leading COVID-19 recovery efforts. These businesses have included medical equipment manufacturers, companies that make components for safety equipment, and food suppliers.

Upper Savannah has been echoing the message from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) and other partners to inform job seekers about resources such as unemployment insurance (UI), remote Wi-Fi access points, community resources and small business loans. COVID-19 related content has been added to the Upper Savannah SC Works Facebook page.

Staff has revised internal procedures at SC Works Centers in each Upper Savannah region county so workforce staff can offer Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services remotely.

Staff has also developed the capability to equip current clients with technology and access to technology so they can study at home.

In addition, staff have ramped up the training of key medical personnel to deepen the labor pool and has requested additional Rapid Response funding to offer On-the-Job Training to dislocated workers.

Community Development

Social distancing requirements have affected the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process as USCOG Community Development staff prepare applications for sewer improvement projects in the City of Clinton and in Greenwood and Laurens counties.

The S.C. Department of Commerce has extended the CDBG infrastructure funding application deadline to June 15, 2020. This round of applications typically due in April requires door-to-door income surveys for qualification purposes, according to Community Development Coordinator Brittany Hallman.

Currently, entities and subrecipients are working to obtain the required surveys to meet the new deadline, while complying with the restrictions of COVID-19. They are using additional resources such as mailing income surveys to households that benefit from the CDBG projects.

As part of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements, USCOG staff is required to hold public hearings for the application submission. HUD has allowed CDBG recipients to use a virtual meeting platform to hold hearings. The virtual platform chosen at this time is Zoom. Application hearings for the CDBG infrastructure applications were held the week of April 20, with 27 people attending one of the hearings.

Meanwhile, the Planning Grant deadline was extended to June 5, 2020. Application hearing for this grant will also be held on Zoom. Upper Savannah is working to close-out the current Planning Grant and submit a new application on or before the extended deadline.

The Planning Grant allows continued CDBG support to the Upper Savannah region. This allows CDBG staff funding assistance to work with local governments for project development, needs assessments and technical assistance in the CDBG program.

“This particular grant isn’t highly impacted by the current COVID-19 situation,” Hallman said. “The S.C. Dept of Commerce is still functioning as well as the local governments. As long as these entities are still functioning, USCOG is able to close out and submit the required documents for this particular application.”

Aging

Perhaps no other group has been more affected by the pandemic than seniors, who have been encouraged to stay home due to their vulnerability to COVID-19. Therefore, senior center group dining sites are temporarily closed.

Home-delivered meals (HDMs) continue to be provided to homebound seniors and during the pandemic, HDMs are also being provided to the group dining participants, Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Director Linda McAllister said.

Additional funding allowed the Upper Savannah AAA to serve around 50 seniors who were previously on the home-delivered meals waiting list, enabling these additional seniors to receive meals during this state of emergency.

Essential transportation services continue to be available to clients. The AAA has halted Minor Home Repair services but continues to provide all other services in the region.

“The South Carolina Department on Aging provided hand sanitizer to all of the Area Agencies on Aging in the state,” said McAllister, who replaced retiring AAA Director Vanessa Wideman April 1.

“We distributed a gallon (of hand sanitizer) to each of our senior centers in the region to be used by staff and volunteers on the front-line delivering meals and transportation to our seniors,” McAllister said. “Hats off to our providers, their staff and volunteers for continuing to serve our seniors.”

Economic Development

The EDA funded projects in the Upper Savannah region continue to progress without interruption. However, the Economic Development Division’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been affected by COVID-19.

The Project Café Infrastructure Project (water and sewer service to Teijin) was substantially completed in November and is now in the closeout phase, according to Economic Development Director Sam Leaman.

The Piedmont Technical College Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence is due to be completed on May 1.

At the same time, projects in Abbeville and Laurens counties are mobilizing for construction start. These include the Long Cane Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Stagecoach Road Waterline and the Milam Road Elevated Water Tank.

RLF borrowers who need assistance due to economic slowdowns are getting help.

“Our small business borrowers are experiencing challenges as you might expect,” Leaman said. “After speaking with all borrowers, we identified five that were experiencing severe economic distress.

“For these, we offered a short-term payment deferral,” he explained. “Thankfully, some businesses had not experienced any downturn in sales and have been able to make their regular payments on schedule and more importantly maintain their workforce.”