Federal funding will help support future growth, business expansion and keep wastewater expansion from adding new debt
By: Tracy Sanders, Publisher
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
The Woodruff area will receive a major federal investment aimed at strengthening local water and wastewater infrastructure as the community prepares for continued residential, commercial and industrial growth.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced June 29 that $15.7 million in Disaster Supplemental funding has been awarded for two economic development projects in Woodruff and the surrounding service area. The funding includes $8.8 million for the City of Woodruff for wastewater infrastructure improvements and $6.9 million for the Woodruff-Roebuck Water District for water infrastructure improvements.
According to the federal announcement, the wastewater improvements are intended to support job creation and private investment in the region, while the water infrastructure improvements are expected to support business expansion and economic growth.
For the Woodruff-Roebuck Water District, the grant will help fund construction of a new elevated water storage tank.
Kermit Johnson, general manager of Woodruff-Roebuck Water District, said the investment will support construction of a new 2.0 million-gallon elevated water storage tank to provide additional water system storage capacity for the Woodruff-Roebuck community.
Johnson said the added capacity will help ensure “there’s adequate infrastructure in place for future development, expansion of new industries, and economic growth in southern Spartanburg County.”
The City of Woodruff also described the award as an important step in preparing for the city’s future.
“This is a significant investment in the future of Woodruff,” the city said in a statement. “As our community continues to grow, it is important that our infrastructure grows with it. The wastewater improvements will support future residential and commercial development, strengthen our ability to attract new investment and ensure we can continue to provide reliable services to current and future residents.”
The city said the funding will also help complete a long-planned expansion of the wastewater treatment plant without requiring additional debt.
“The City has been investing in and planning the expansion of its wastewater treatment plant for the past five years,” the statement said. “We are completing construction of Phase 1 of the expansion this month. This award from the EDA will allow the city to finish the expansion with no additional debt. This will keep rates stable for all of our citizens and businesses.”
In all, the city said it has received $18.8 million in grant funds to expand the treatment plant.
The awards were made through the EDA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant program. The program supports economic recovery activities in areas that received major disaster declarations because of natural disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms, flooding, tornadoes and other disasters that occurred in 2023 and 2024.
The funding announcement comes as Woodruff and southern Spartanburg County continue to experience growth pressure. As new homes, businesses and industries look to locate in the area, water and wastewater capacity are expected to remain key factors in how the community manages development.
Infrastructure projects such as water storage and wastewater treatment expansion are often not as visible as new buildings or road projects, but they can play a major role in whether communities are prepared for growth. Adequate water and sewer capacity can affect business recruitment, housing development, public service reliability and long-term planning.
For the Woodruff area, the combined investment represents more than a federal grant announcement. Local officials say it is part of a larger effort to prepare the community for growth while maintaining reliable services for current residents and businesses.
