Bamberg County gets nearly $400,000 grant to help with Helene devastation

BAMBERG, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – About a month after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Bamberg County received new and much-needed heavy equipment with the help of Congressman Clyburn and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In July, the USDA awarded Bamberg County a Rural Development Grant in the amount of $381,750.

USDA funds were extended to Bamberg County to purchase heavy equipment as outlined in the 2022 Ian Disaster Project. The following equipment has already been purchased:

A 2023 CAT 920 wheel loader
A 2023 CAT 310 mini excavator

Bamberg County will also use the grant funds to purchase a 16.2 cubic yard dump truck in the near future.

In 2024 alone, Bamberg County has endured several severe weather events, leaving two more months in the year with potential winter complications. In the aftermath of January’s tornado, Bamberg County faced the daunting task of clearing Highway 601/Main Highway, a vital road for citizens and business owners.

Similarly, after Tropical Storms Debby and Helene, several state roads, including residential roads, were completely washed away.

The new heavy equipment will prove invaluable to future storm recovery efforts by increasing capacity and efficiency.

County Council Chairman Evert Comer, Jr. thanked Bamberg County staff for securing the grant and the USDA for their approval. He stated, “Without the help of Congressman Clyburn and the USDA, we would not have been able to acquire this necessary equipment, which will ease our current and future storm recovery efforts.”

“This heavy equipment is essential to rebuilding and maintaining our infrastructure, especially as natural disasters such as Hurricane Ian, the January tornado, Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene become more common. This equipment will not only help us recover from recent storms, but also prepare for future storms,” said County Administrator Joey Preston.