Entries by USCOG Staff

American Rescue Plan Expected to Bring Approximately $68.56 Million to USCOG Region

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion emergency relief bill, providing approximately $350 billion to states, territories, tribes, counties and municipalities to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, offset revenue losses, bolster economic recovery and provide premium pay for essential workers. The Act will provide approximately $42.6 million to the […]

Upper Savannah Region Receives Federal Grant to Train EMTs, Paramedics

Upper Savannah workforce development staff recently learned there is a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics in the Region and sought funding to fix the situation. Upper Savannah COG applied for and recently received a $500,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to train 100 emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in […]

Town of McCormick Receives CDBG Funding to Continue Downtown Streetscape Improvements

The Town of McCormick has received a $750,000 grant award in the Fall 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Community Enrichment, Neighborhood Revitalization and Special Projects Round, the S.C. Department of Commerce announced Dec. 8. Upper Savannah COG Community Development staff submitted the application on behalf of the Town. Fifteen grants were awarded statewide. McCormick’s […]

CARES Act Funds Available for Loans to Businesses Affected by Pandemic

Businesses which were temporarily forced to close, experienced loss of revenue or were otherwise negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic might be eligible for business loans from the new Upper Savannah CARES Revolving Loan Fund (CARES RLF). Also, businesses whose products or services are in high demand due to the pandemic could be eligible. The […]

Redesigned USCOG Website Provides Access to Information on Many Services

Many job seekers and employers have received help from the SC Works System, family members have benefited when an aging parent receives home-delivered meals or transportation to the doctor, and thousands of residents are enjoying better water and sewer service thanks to grant awards to their communities. These are just a few of the activities […]

Region Receives Three CDBG Grants to Upgrade Sewer Lines

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 […]

USCOG Assists with Census Event as SC Trails Most of Nation in Census Response Rates

USCOG staff partnered with United Way of Laurens County and the U.S. Bureau of the Census to offer an opportunity for Laurens County residents to complete their Census forms as they picked up free school supplies for their children. The event was timely as South Carolina ranks 46th nationally in Census response rates. A total […]

USCOG Wins a 2020 NADO National Award for Involvement in Ridge Spring Plaza Project

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 […]

USCOG Receives $400,000 from CARES Act; $760,000 for new Revolving Loan Fund

The Upper Savannah Council of Governments (USCOG) will receive a $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant and $760,000 for an additional Revolving Loan Fund from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help businesses in the USCOG Region impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. “These are unusual grant awards to address unusual times,” USCOG Assistant Director Sam […]