Rock Hill, SC – The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR), in partnership with the City of Rock Hill and KCI Technologies, is pleased to announce the start of construction on Phase I stormwater infrastructure improvements in the South Central and Flint Hill neighborhoods. The project will replace roadway culverts on Lige Street, Green Street, Carolina Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Saluda Avenue, Carroll Street, and Barber Street. There will also be stream restorations along Green Street and Jefferson Avenue

Phase I’s design, permitting, material testing & inspection, and construction are funded through a $14,858,364 award from SCOR’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stormwater Infrastructure Program (ASIP). The award also funded the design of Phase II, which includes culvert replacements on Arch Drive and Walnut Street, although the City will fund construction through other sources.

The ASIP program exists to administer ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocated to SCOR by the State Treasurer. SCOR has awarded these funds to counties, cities, and towns in South Carolina to implement stormwater infrastructure improvements that reduce or eliminate the risk of losses due to flooding.

Flooding is a persistent issue in the area due in large part to the insufficient size of existing culverts, which are openings that channel water under roadways. With the area’s relatively flat terrain, the city has identified over 90 single family residences that experience flooding in addition to the roadways. Furthermore, erosion caused during heavy rain events prompted the City to also identify stream restoration initiatives that this award is also funding.

“This project received an ASIP award because it advances our mission to lessen the impacts of disasters on the communities and citizens of South Carolina,” explains SCOR Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan. “The project service area, which is roughly 80% low- and moderate-income, will see an impressive level of flood protection above a 25-year, 24-hour rain event. That is in addition to beneficial environmental impacts such as reduced erosion and sedimentation.”

Senator Everett Stubbs states, “I am highly supportive of improvement projects in Senate District 17.  Proper planning and preparation are key to resiliency.  I am very pleased to see this project in our district to reduce the risk of further flooding and impact from other weather events like the ones we have seen in the past several years in Rock Hill.  Governor McMaster and the SC Office of Resilience have been great to work with on projects such as this one.”

Representative John R. C. King states, “I’m pleased to share that our community will soon see major stormwater improvements, including the replacement of roadway culverts, as well as stream restorations to reduce flooding risks for more than 90 vulnerable structures. This vital work is made possible through a $14,858,364 award from SCOR’s American Rescue Plan Act Stormwater Infrastructure Program. I remain committed, as your representative, to strengthening the safety and resilience of our district and I thank SCOR for their continued dedication to the improvement of our communities. Let us remain safe and patient as this work progresses.”

Construction is estimated to last 300 days with substantial completion occurring in Fall 2026. To date, SCOR has committed approximately $65 million in ARPA Stormwater Infrastructure Program funds for improvements across South Carolina.

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About SCOR: The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is committed to enhancing the state's ability to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive when presented with environmental changes and natural hazards by planning and coordinating statewide resilience, long-term disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation. In addition to serving 3,459 homes in our Disaster Recovery Program, SCOR has 81 active flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts, stormwater infrastructure, and plans and studies, across the State. SCOR continues to implement and maintain the Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan, which provides a framework to guide investment in projects, programs, and policies to protect the people and property of South Carolina from the damage and destruction of extreme weather events.