The City of Abbeville has received a Municipal Achievement Award for its infrastructure modernization efforts. The city won in the 1,001 – 5,000 population category. Forty cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives for consideration in the annual awards.
Like other rural communities, the City of Abbeville faced many challenges from aging and deteriorating infrastructure. In 2018, the city began a sustainability-focused effort addressing all of these issues through upgrades and refurbishments, and even the extension of water lines.
With help from the utilities department and public input sessions, the city created a capital improvement plan, prioritizing projects based on their potential impact on residents, health and safety considerations, feasibility and economic needs. City council selects specific projects from the list to pursue each year. Of the approximately $15 million invested into water and sewer infrastructure over six years, nearly 80% has been funded through grants and one-time federal and state funding. The Upper Savannah Council of Governments helped with grant applications and the 2023 comprehensive plan process, with other support coming from the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and SC Department of Transportation, which helped by timing its street repaving to align with the waterline work.
Abbeville’s investments in itself have now paid dividends with the arrival of new commercial operations, industry and housing developments. The city is planning further projects across all utility types through 2026. After that, it will add further projects to its capital improvement plan, and update its comprehensive plan.
“The City of Abbeville’s infrastructure modernization efforts are forward thinking and positions the city for future successes and investments,” said Todd Glover, executive director for the Municipal Association.
These winning entries represent innovative projects undertaken by Municipal Association member cities and towns. Information and a video about the project are available on the Association’s website www.masc.sc (keyword: Achievement Awards).
The Municipal Association of SC initiated the Achievement Awards in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovations and excellence in local government.
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