EDC out of state money
Agency aids low-income citizens with energy bills
SUMMERVILLE — The embattled agency responsible for doling out federal Head Start funds has run out of state money meant to help low- income residents pay their power bills and weatherize their homes, and other agencies say the problem couldn't come at a worse time.
Employees at the Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. outreach centers in Summerville and Moncks Corner on Tuesday referred people to the United Way and the Salvation Army for help because, they said, there's no money to assist anyone.
Additional stories
Head Start: Broke by October? Parents, board members upset with leadership, published 08/08/08
Head Start issues simmer, published 07/31/08
Head Start chief to vacate post, published 07/30/08
Deadline looms for Head Start, published 01/13/08
Agreement could be near on Head Start funds, published 01/22/08
Field agents for local charitable organizations said the EDC has had little to no funds for at least six months, and that the EDC's financial woes couldn't come at a worse time, with the poor economy pushing contributions down and need up.
EDC Board Chairman Levy Berry confirmed Tuesday that the situation is a result of the agency's $1.2 million deficit in non-federal money, but said "help will be on the way." When asked from who, Berry replied, "the state."
"We are in negotiations to make sure that these programs will continue to be served," Berry said.
Joel Sawyer, press secretary for Gov. Mark Sanford, said the ball is in the EDC's court. In the meantime, he said, the state is continuing with its "de-funding" process, which gives the EDC until early next month to pay the state back $283,000 and address a laundry list of concerns about how it has spent the grant money.
At the end of the process, the state could decide to terminate its grant contract with the EDC and give it to another agency.
"Everyone in the process is committed to making sure the services will be continued one way or the other," Sawyer said.
Berry said the financial problems have not impacted the federal Head Start program. An official with the Health and Human Services Department, which runs Head Start on a federal level, said it is working very closely with the EDC to make sure there is no interruption in that program.
In the worst-case scenario, Health and Human Services can give the EDC's grant contract to an interim grantee, according to the department.
In the meantime, local residents who need help paying their energy bills will have to find it somewhere else.
Local charitable organization leaders said they've been trying to fill the void, but the economy has left many of their coffers depleted and their food bank shelves bare.
Beverly Tallent, Summerville service center director for the Dorchester County United Way, said they've helped 215 people this month, up from 120 for the same period last year. She said they're trying their best to refer people to the services they need, but a lot of agencies are running out of money.
"The food pantries have taken a tremendous hit," Tallent said.
Tallent said the employees at the EDC still are trying to help residents by referring them to the proper agencies, but there's little they can do without funding. The agency was especially helpful at helping low-income residents at paying their power bills.
Field agents said the number of people whose electricity have been turned off this summer is astounding. They said they have enough money only to help those with the most critical need.
The increased cost of food, gas and electric bills has left many people, even those who work, uncertain about how they're going to afford their children's school registration fees, agents said.
Tallent and others implored those who can give to donate anything from canned meats, diapers, clothes and low-increment gas cards to help.
Reach Andy Paras at aparas@postandcourier.com or 745-5891.
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Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by zoomru on August 20, 2008 at 2:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What???........
"..At the end of the process, the state could decide to terminate its grant contract with the EDC and give it to another agency..."
You mean to tell me they (WE WANT NAMES and ADDRESSES!)are going to WAIT to terminate the CONTRACT ?? What are they waiting for ....SANTA ? For the love of PETE.!! Who are these people ? Who appointed them? Are they elected? Sound to me like THEY need to be FIRED too !!
You honestly expect the taxpayers to smile with PRIDE when the contract is "GIVEN" to another agency? MY BACKSIDE ! Its obvious that things need to be ..."EARNED" !
GRRRR...!!
Posted by DoaMM on August 20, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't we get rid of the corruption? Every article, every news conference, everywhere you turn to look at politics...nothing but corruption.
I'm gonna buy an island and be my own corrupt government. That way, I may have a say in things and be able to oust myself!
Posted by MP on August 20, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is what happens when you have crooks and thieves at all levels of government. They are afraid to open a can of worms by auditing the agency, because it just may work its way back up the ladder to some of our self-serving State legislators and their cronies. Can we spell corruption?
Posted by oldglory on August 20, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are the damned checks and balances in SC?
Posted by squirt16oz on August 20, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a shame the EDC is out of money, but I'll bet the employees get their Christmas bonuses just like every year, though!
Posted by ysillyme on August 20, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sending out an S.O.S.~
You mean to tell me that I have been paying all my own bills needlessly? Having dropped down from premium to regular beer, eating chuck steak instead of ribeyes, and feeding the dog every other day; now I find out the theiving govt. pays for some folks utilities.!@#$% My thermostat is set at 81 degrees, where do I sign Up? p.s. Fido says thanks in advance.
Posted by DoaMM on August 20, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ysilly, you COULD HAVE signed up, but they're out of money now...Sorry.
But don't worry. If things get too tight money-wise for you, at least you have the dog to eat instead of taking him/her to the pound...
I'll retreat to MY corner now...
Posted by eyfigueroa on August 20, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"What a shame the EDC is out of money, but I'll bet the employees get their Christmas bonuses just like every year, though!"
These people get bonuses?!?!?!?!??!
ysillyme: I'm right there with you!
Posted by ysillyme on August 20, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doamm~
An unforgivable thought..eat my precious doggie (her); however the neighbor's cat might make an interesting morsel.
Posted by Bones on August 20, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These people should be fired, then audited, and if any hint of corruption is found, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That would be now, not next month/year/decade etc!
PS: DoaMM, heard dog and cat both taste like chicken. If your hungry enough, ANYTHING with meat in it is game!
Posted by DoaMM on August 20, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bones, how can they taste like chicken? Okay, I can MAYBE see a farm cat tasting like chicken because it coulda eaten enough chickens to TASTE like chicken, but I'd be willing to bet that a cat tastes like...well, never mind...
<mind wandering...>
Hmmmm...here kitty, kitty, kitty...
Anyway, BACK to the theme of the article, CORRUPTION!
Posted by cpanther515 on August 20, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The state needs to send in a team of auditors now to examine the records(if any exist)of expenditures.
All spending by this agency should be stopped immediatley. If discrepances are found hold the persons responsible and prosecute them.
Posted by cpanther515 on August 20, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by oldglory on August 20, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are the damned checks and balances in SC?
The checks have been written and there are no balances!
Posted by Bones on August 20, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DoaMM, yeah, got slightly off track there, was at work and trying to stay professional, but now that you mention it, hmmmm, yeah, cat would probably taste like something else. Ok, I'll go sit in the corner for a while now...
Posted by martin on August 20, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
remember, read the stories. EDC gets it's state funding and monitoring from the GOVERNOR'S office. You know the same governor's office where the governor believes every agency should be under Governor's control so there will be accountabilty.
P&C, how often does Governor's office audit these agencies, which exist all over the state? The oversight of these agencies is at least as big a story as the EDC intself; i.e., how was this allowed to happen by the GOVERNOR"S office?
Posted by oldglory on August 20, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cpanther515, Very clever response :) Also, sadly, very true.
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Posted by cpanther515 on August 20, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by oldglory on August 20, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are the damned checks and balances in SC?
The checks have been written and there are no balances!
Posted by hlinda0 on January 8, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a diabled single mother careing for my son with autism. I am in need of $293.00 to pay my electric bill which is due to be diconnected on 1/14/09. I Have contacted The EDC and was told they had no funds. Can someone tell me where else I can get help to keep my elecrticity turned on.