Where does federal funding go in Horry County? These are the top 10 grants and recipients
From health care to transportation and housing, federal grants play a vital role in funding entities like municipal governments and nonprofit organizations around the Grand Strand.
President Donald Trump made headlines this week when he announced plans to freeze federal funding for programs across the nation. After a district judge temporarily blocked the move Tuesday, the White House budget office ultimately rescinded the order Wednesday, according to the Washington Post.
While grant funding is assured for now, where does federal money go in Horry County and how is it used?
Horry County federal funds
Dozens of governmental and nonprofit entities rely on federal grants for funding in Horry County and information on those awards is publicly available on the USA Spending website.
The website tracks information including how much the government obligates, or promises to spend, and how much money is outlaid, or actually paid out.
Using the USA Spending database, The Sun News looked at the top recipients of federal grants and the largest current grants in Horry County. Here’s what we found.
Top recipients
USA Spending keeps records back to the 2008 fiscal year of the top recipients of federal grants obligated to be performed in Horry County.
It’s important to note that, while these recipients have the top obligations to be performed in Horry County, the actual amounts outlaid may differ. The Sun News reached out to the entities listed for clarification on the amount of federal grant money they actually received.
1. The South Carolina Department of Transportation: $350.7 million
2. Horry County: $151.75 million
Without including recipients like Horry County School District, Horry County Fire Rescue and Horry County Government, the county is listed three times as either Horry County or County of Horry on the USA Spending list of top federal grant fund recipients for projects performed in Horry County.
While the highest entry lists the obligated amount as $151.75 million, the combined obligations total $223.6 million
3. Little River Medical Center Inc.: $95.16 million
4. Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council Inc.: $80.88 million
A representative for the Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council confirmed that the council has received approximately $80.88 million in federal grant funding for Horry County over the roughly 15-year period.
5. Coastal Carolina University: $65.71 million
6. Horry Georgetown Commission for Technical Education: $59.5 million
7. Health Care Partners of South Carolina Inc.: $32.29 million
8. Eastern Carolina Homelessness Organization Inc.: $29.24 million
9. Housing Authority of Conway: $21.15 million
10. Horry Telephone Cooperative Inc.: $11.46 million
Although USA Spending categorizes the two Rural Utilities Service grants that make up the $11.46 million obligation as awards to be performed in Horry County, an Horry Telephone Cooperative marketing associate told The Sun News the grants were allocated for Georgetown and Marion counties.
She also said that the cooperative has received roughly 86% of the obligated funds to date.
Top current grants
There are also several major ongoing grants that could be impacted by a federal funding freeze.
Using the USA Spending database, The Sun News looked at the largest grants the federal government has obligated to be performed in Horry County that haven’t passed their period of performance or met their obligations.
Here’s what we found:
1. Little River Medical Center Inc.
Obligated amount: $43.33 million
Outlay amount: $24.97 million
Period of performance: Jun. 1, 2002 - May 31, 2027
Awarding agency: the Health Resources and Services Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services
Reason: The grant funds two programs to improve the health of underserved communities through access to health care services and provide for investment in health centers.
2. Health Care Partners of South Carolina Inc.
Obligated amount: $17.76 million
Outlay amount: $9.51 million
Period of performance: April 1, 2002 - March 31, 2026
Awarding agency: The Health Resources and Services Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services
Reason: The grant supports the same programs as the grant for Little River Medical Center, improving underserved communities’ access to health care services and investing in health centers.
Obligated amount: 10 million
Outlay amount: $2.5 million
Period of performance: Aug. 20, 2024 - Aug. 19, 2028
Awarding agency: The Federal Aviation Administration in the Department of Transportation
Reason: The grant funds 12% of a project to expand an airport terminal building.
4. Horry Georgetown Commission for Technical Education
Obligated amount: $8 million
Outlay amount: $0
Period of performance: Sept. 19, 2023 - March 19, 2027
Awarding agency: The Department of Commerce in the Economic Development Administration
Reason: The grant supports the construction of a new training facility at Horry Georgetown Technical College and the expansion of the outboard marine technology program.
Obligated amount: $6.28 million
Outlay amount: $2.88 million
Period of performance: Feb. 27, 2022 - Feb. 26, 2025
Awarding agency: The Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Department of Homeland Security
Reason: The grant funds the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities.
6. Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council Inc.
Obligated amount: $4.01 million
Outlay amount: $0
Period of performance: Jan. 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2029
Awarding agency: The Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services
Reason: The grant is designated for head start and early head start programs meant to enhance child development.
Obligated amount: $3.85 million
Outlay amount: $3.72 million
Period of performance: Sept. 1, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2027
Awarding agency: The Federal Aviation Administration in the Department of Transportation
Reason: The grant funds the reconstruction of an airport runway.
Obligated amount: $3.82 million
Outlay amount: $25,377
Period of performance: Sept. 20, 2021 - Sept. 30, 2030
Awarding agency: The Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Reason: The grant supports a project to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing, especially for low income residents.
Obligated amount: $3.42 million
Outlay amount: $3.36 million
Period of performance: June 25, 2020 - Sept. 1, 2027
Awarding agency: The Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Reason: The grant funds decent housing, suitable living environments and the expansion of economic opportunities to develop viable urban communities.
Obligated amount: $2.7 million
Outlay amount: $834,793
Period of performance: March 14, 2023 - March 13, 2026
Awarding agency: The Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Department of Homeland Security
Reason: The grant also supports the SAFER program to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities.
This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 5:30 AM.