ANDERSON, SC - During a news conference on April 9, Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd (pictured) proudly announced the receipt of two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants. The grants, totaling $400,000 will support Anderson County’s Textile Communities Revitalization Project. EPA designated two assessment grants to be used for the Old Riverside Mill, Toxaway Mill and the Appleton Mill.

"I'm so proud of county staff who worked to bring federal money back into our community," said Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd. "These grants will allow us to continue our efforts to clean up these mill sites and turn them into productive, usable properties. This project will certainly stimulate community pride and encourage residents and businesses to join our efforts to affect positive change and revitalization of the area."

"These assessment grants will enable us to reclaim this area’s economic value and empower residents to prosper,” said Anderson County Administrator Joey R. Preston. “This is preparation for the future of South Anderson and Anderson County as a whole. If we lay a strong foundation of opportunity and renewed hope, Economic Development WILL come. It isn't a matter of if growth will come, but when we can enjoy the benefits of our efforts."

"This environmental assessment will be a critical step in the eventual redevelopment of the former mill communities. It will identify which areas of the sites have contamination and what needs to be done to clean them up for redevelopment. These assessments, along with community input meetings, will be a decisive factor in determining what types of uses we can make of these sites in the future."

The three mill sites were constructed in the early 1900’s and were the economic backbones of the region. Due to the decline of the textile industry, the mills closed down and were abandoned. After suffering several fires, the abandoned mill sites have threatened the environment, depressed surrounding property values, and posed significant redevelopment challenges.

Concerns about the county’s deteriorating mill sites and their environmental and economic impact on surrounding communities motivated the county to launch the Textile Communities Revitalization Project in 2000. This project has focused attention on the revitalization of abandoned mill sites with long-term goals to increase surrounding property values, generate new tax revenue, create additional jobs, and improve the area’s economic and social outlook.

Cooperative partners in the project include: Betty Bagley (Superintendent, Anderson School District 5), Terry Chapman (Alphabet County Streets), Rodney Cobb (Alphabet City Streets), Pastor Mark Daniel (West Anderson Church of God), Herb Ervin (East Anderson Alliance Task Force), Dino Hicks (Homebuilder’s Association), Gail Jeter ( SC DHEC), Mike Panasko (Innovate Anderson), Lee Luff (Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce), Steve Pelissier (Appalachian Council of Governments), Mayor Terence Roberts (City of Anderson), Major General Stanhope Spears (SC Army National Guard), Eric Stockton (Appalachian Regional Commission), Rev. Kurt Stutler (Toxaway United Methodist Church), and Quenton Tompkins (Partners for a Healthy Community)