Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.9 Million to Support the Manufacturing Sector in Berkeley County, South Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.9 million grant to Berkeley County to make critical water infrastructure improvements needed to support the region’s manufacturers. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs and spur $520 million in private investment.

“The President’s policies have created a new revival for American manufacturing,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Through this project, Berkeley County’s automotive industry will continue to grow and create new jobs for the community.”

“This is big news for local industries like Volvo as well as the surrounding communities,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). “This grant will allow us to make much-needed improvements and continue to attract even more high-paying jobs to area. I appreciate the EDA working with my office and other stakeholders to turn this into reality. South Carolina is already a great place to do business and this grant will help to make the local area even more attractive for future investments.”

The investment funds the construction of core infrastructure to provide reliable, resilient water service to Camp Hall Park to support current production and the new expansion of a major automobile manufacturing facility. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Charleston, Dorchester County Council of Governments. EDA funds the Charleston, Dorchester County Council of Governments to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires, and other calendar year 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.