Photo by Tami Rodgers
The Town of Lane recently announced that they have received a $123,000 loan and a $279,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funds will be used to upgrade the electrical system, well, paint the water tower, remove any lead lined pipes in the ground and to upgrade the water line connection between the county and town water systems.
The USDA is funding 216 projects in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to bring high-speed Internet, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and economic growth to rural communities as a part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
USDA is also providing $18.2 million to help rural utilities provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for people in rural areas through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The funding enables rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and stormwater drainage. Lane is one of four projects that are being funded in South Carolina.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is transforming our country for the better – reaching communities in every corner of the United States, including those that have too often been left behind,” Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “The investments will help us build our economy from the middle out and bottom up by bringing high-speed Internet, modern infrastructure and good-paying jobs to communities in rural areas, in turn making it more possible for young people to build a good life in the communities they love, and for more Americans to find new opportunity in rural communities.”
“South Carolina is extremely proud to be involved in these monumental projects,” said George W. Hicks, Jr., USDA South Carolina Rural Development Acting State Director. “Projects like this help to bring high-speed Internet, and much needed water and wastewater infrastructure for rural Americans. When USDA Rural Development partners with rural communities, we are helping to create better job opportunities to further enhance our alluring communities in South Carolina.”
Engineering work has been completed in Lane and work will begin on the funded projects in early fall, according to Lane Mayor Charlie Fulton. Eastern Engineering is overseeing the project.
Lane also recently completed a sewer project that provided the whole town with sewer. A new municipal building was completed in September 2023.
A water project on Heinemen Road will begin when the rain holds up, according to Fulton. The project will connect 30 homes to the city water system. The infrastructure projects are much needed updates, but are also a sign of projected growth for Lane.
Fulton says there are currently 531 residents, and the town expects 20% increase in population by 2027.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the U.S. Department of Agriculture by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
