Town of Hilton Head Island issued the following announcement on September 21.
The Town of Hilton Head Island will receive more than $5 million from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan, legislation that provides funding to local governments to help them respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Town officials, with recent approval from Town Council, plan to use the funds to assist Island residents, improve security and technology at Town Hall, and invest in infrastructure improvements (water, sewer and broadband). The Town already has received approximately $2.6 million and expects the remaining portion of its allocation in May 2022.
"The pandemic has taken a significant toll on our community and we look forward to investing these funds in community-based enhancements," Town Manager Marc Orlando said.
Based upon recommendations from Town staff, the Town Council approved the following allocations:
- $1.6 million for public infrastructure
Funds may be used to accomplish various capital improvement projects that are not otherwise funded within the Town’s adopted Capital Improvement Plan.
- $1 million for the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry Pandemic Impact Grants
The Town will provide this funding to the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry for distribution through a grant award program to local groups and organizations that were directly impacted by the pandemic. These funds could be utilized to support housing assistance, childcare and education, rent and utility assistance, and food insecurities among other pandemic related impacts.
- $1 million for Town Hall security and technology improvements
Funds will be used to enhance safety and provide a uniform system of security within Town Hall including Town Council chambers, public entrances and common hallways. Additionally, the Town will install new technology in the Town Council chambers and upgrade existing technology to live stream Town Council meetings and meetings of other public bodies.
- $1 million for development and infrastructure related to the Town's Patterson Tract
Town Council will consider using funds to establish a public-private partnership to develop workforce housing on a portion of this property. Funds would support the road, water, sewer, broadband and/or utility infrastructure necessary for workforce housing development.
- $400,000 for resident home repair and the removal of unsafe and uninhabited structures
Funds will be used to provide grants to qualified residents to help pay for repairs needed to make their homes safe and dry and to remove unsafe and uninhabited structures from residential property.
- $200,000 for sewer connection grants
Funds will be used for a grant program to assist property owners living on the Island who have not yet connected to existing sanitary sewer systems due to financial limitations.
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