Appropriations bill includes $800,000 earmarked for city

  • Ron Menchaca
  • Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Thursday, March 22, 2012 9:02 p.m.
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The city of Charleston would receive more than $800,000 to start designing the International African-American Museum and to provide mental health services to firefighters under a U.S. House spending bill passed Wednesday.

South Carolina would reap some $35 million for nearly 30 infrastructure, education, law enforcement and other projects as part of the proposed $410 billion spending plan aimed at keeping the federal government running for the remainder of the year.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said the money for the museum would help planners design exhibits and firm up building plans. He said the total cost of the museum could be in the neighborhood of $70 million.

The money for firefighter mental health services would help continue a counseling unit established in the wake of the deadly Sofa Super Store fire. The city has worked closely with national firefighter groups to establish a unit that not only helps grieving firefighters but can also be replicated as a model for other communities that experience such tragedies, Riley said.

The unit needs about $300,000 to continue, but that amount would likely drop over time as demand for its services diminish, Riley said.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said the projects represent a range of worthy investments around the state. "Each of these projects was requested by South Carolinians who identified a need and made a compelling case to receive federal funding."

But the plan comes just days after the federal government inked one of the largest checks in the nation's history — $787 billion to stave off economic collapse. The one-two punch has some Republicans balking over wasteful spending and could spell trouble for the bill in the Senate.


FUNDING FOR PROJECTS

Highlights of South Carolina and Lowcountry projects in the House spending bill include:

• $10 million to build waterlines for the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency.
• $9.9 million for science programs at the state's historically black colleges and universities.
• $4.6 million to improve the I-95/U.S. 301 interchange.
• $2.6 million to buy land for Congaree National Park.
• $712,500 to advance planning for the International African-American Museum in Charleston.
• $190,000 for nursing education at Trident Technical College.
• $95,000 for mental health services for Charleston firefighters.