Tammye Treviño, Administrator for Housing and Community Facilities Programs, and USDA Rural Development State Director, Vernita F. Dore participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for three different schools in Dillon County on Monday, April 18, 2011.
"The impact this facility will have on the students of Dillon County is immeasurable," said Treviño. "Today there is serious competition across this state, this country and the world. For Dillon County to compete, modern facilities such as the ones we start today are a must. Students in this county are competing against students around the globe who have an advantage by learning in facilities that are superior to what exist in Dillon today. Starting today that is changing."
“I am honored to be here today as an avid supporter in a project that benefits and validates the belief that we have in the future of our children. This groundbreaking today represents a promise kept. There is no limit to what we can do with bold leaders on the ground and strong support in Washington. Investing in our children is money well spent. The schools being built and renovated are schools that every resident of Dillon County can be proud of and represents a step forward in education in South Carolina. The learning environment of our students will no longer be compromised. I thank everyone that has worked together to make this project a reality, and I am pleased that our students in Dillon County will benefit from Rural Development funding," said Dore.
In 2010, Rural Development awarded a Recovery Act direct loan and a Recovery Act grant to the Dillon County School Facilities Corporation to finance new construction or renovations for three schools in three school districts in Dillon County, SC. The funding is leveraged with $7.5 million from other sources. Dillon County will use the funds to construct a new pre-kindergarten through second grade facility in Latta and a new middle school near Dillon, as well as to renovate and expand an existing high school in Lake View. These new and upgraded facilities will serve more than 4,000 students.
