The Rural Infrastructure Authority announced in May that it had made available about $29 million for capital improvement projects in 16 SC counties, including the $1.5 million grant to Darlington County and funding for three other counties in the Pee Dee. These grants are to go toward improving water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, benefiting more than 50,000 households and businesses and bolstering services that support economic growth, the statement said.

Hunter Thomas — Darlington County’s marketing, public relations and information specialist — said in an email that the entire grant will go toward Lamar’s wastewater treatment plant on Zion Road, just south of where it intersects with US Hwy 401.

The project involves but is “not limited to upgrades to the chlorine contact chamber, chlorine building, sand filtration system, and effluent pump station and force main,” Thomas said, adding that the timetable for design, bidding and construction is “a work in progress.”

When asked about what firms the County would contract for the work, Thomas said, “Darlington County will be required to adhere to the required state process as part of grant assurances with the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority providing the grant. The work will be done by licensed contractors based on the design and specifications found in plans prepared by licensed engineers, both approved by the SCRIA.”

The town of Lamar in southwestern Darlington County has a population of 862, according to 2020 Decennial Census data.

Other SCRIA grantees in the Pee Dee included:

The town of Kingstree in Williamsburg County and Williamsburg County itself also received infrastructure grants. Additionally, the Rural Infrastructure Authority selected the town of Olanta in Florence County to participate in its new viability improvement program aimed at helping smaller utilities strengthen long-term viability.