Impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal in South Carolina

In November, Congress passed the $550 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, a major piece of legislation which will impact South Carolina in many ways. The Municipal Association of SC is participating in the White House briefing sessions to understand how the BID will work locally.

Information is still limited and subject to change in 2022, but there is some information available now. 

• Roads and bridges – Under preliminary estimates, South Carolina can expect to receive $4.6 billion in federal aid for highway programs and $274 million for repairing and replacing bridges, all during a five-year period, likely beginning once the funds have been allocated. 
• Public transportation – Current formula funding indicates that South Carolina may receive $366 million for public transportation improvements — for vehicle replacements, electric vehicles and accessibility upgrades — over five years. 
• Electric vehicle network – South Carolina may receive $70 million over five years for expanding the state’s EV charging network. 
• Broadband – South Carolina will receive at least $100 million to help establish broadband coverage across the state. 
• Climate change and cybersecurity – Based on historical formula funding levels, South Carolina can expect to receive $15 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $18.3 million to protect against cyberattacks.   
• Water infrastructure – Based on the traditional State Revolving Fund formula, South Carolina will expect to receive $510 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state.  
• Airports – South Carolina airports can expect to receive approximately $161 million for airport infrastructure development over five years for repair, maintenance, and the reduction of congestion and emissions. 

The White House’s Executive Order on Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — the former name of the BID — established an Infrastructure Implementation Task Force to coordinate the law’s implementation. The co-chair of the task force is encouraging states and local governments to establish an infrastructure coordinator role for BID project management.

Find more information about local impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal here. The Municipal Association will share additional federal guidance as it becomes available. 

The Municipal Association has recently expanded its focus on advocating for the interests of South Carolina’s cities and towns at the federal level. A recent podcast brought together Erica Wright, the member of the advocacy team tasked with federal outreach, with Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton and Manager for Municipal Advocacy Casey Fields to talk about how federal advocacy benefits South Carolina cities and towns.