How $10 million in new money could fuel the next phase of growth in Lancaster
A new $10 million grant will fund a key growth piece in Lancaster, a city that has growth on its horizon.
The city’s wastewater treatment plant received the $10 million grant this week from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program. The grant is the largest amount possible for a city the size of Lancaster. The federal money comes via the American Rescue Plan Act two years ago.
In Lancaster, money will fund work set to start next year. Nearly a dozen improvements are planned, including a new pump station that will create pumping capacity to 20 million gallons per day.
“This generational grant will allow us to prepare for the needs of our community for decades to come,” said Mayor Alston DeVenny.
Water and sewer availability are major drivers for community development. The $10 million will maximize sewer capacity to serve existing residents and businesses, DeVenny said, while protecting the Catawba River and preparing for growth.
“We are working together to position our city to be the regional leader in sewer treatment, which will continue to spur residential and economic development,” DeVenny said.
Wastewater isn’t the most palatable growth factor, but it is a critical one. From recent massive expansion projects in Rock Hill and Fort Mill to Tega Cay’s purchase of the former Tega Cay Water Service almost a decade ago and York County’s takeover of Blue Granite Water Service in Lake Wylie earlier this year, capacity creates growth opportunity.
Lancaster already sees growth in its future. The city with about 3,900 total housing units counted in the 2020 Census saw plans in recent months for more than 700 more. Red Rose Village, a large D.R. Horton project and others eye homes and apartments.
This story was originally published May 1, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
