The City of Newberry has been approved to receive a Santee Cooper Municipal Site Readiness Grant to assist in the construction of a 3.5 million-gallon, ground-level water tank. The $1 million grant is to benefit specific sites adjacent to new city infrastructure and in other locations.

“This grant will assist Newberry in meeting our number one goal in our strategic plan: to strengthen business retention, recruitment, and expansion,” said Newberry City Manager Matt DeWitt. “This creates an environment for sustainable economic development and growth that benefits the businesses and citizens of Newberry.”

“Adequate infrastructure is a powerful asset to have in the economic development toolbox,” said Pamela Williams, Santee Cooper senior vice president and chief financial officer. “Newberry’s goals align closely with Santee Cooper’s mission of improving the lives of South Carolinians.”

The new water tank and all infrastructure associated with this grant will be owned and maintained by the city’s water system. The water tower’s estimated total cost is $2,651,000. Newberry also has secured a $500,000 grant from the state Rural Infrastructure Authority fund, with the balance of the project being financed with 2015 revenue bonds. 

In addition to its water system, Newberry owns and operates the city’s electric system, and is one of the 21 municipally owned electric utilities in the Palmetto State. Newberry receives a portion of its energy requirements from Santee Cooper through the Piedmont Municipal Power Agency.