Commentary by Dean Van Pelt, S.C. Promise Zone  |  Because the six southern counties of South Carolina are in the federally-designated S.C. Promise Zone, there are tremendous opportunities for local organizations to tap into federal funding.

But there’s a catch: Federal dollars won’t rain down on our area unless we ask for them by applying for grants and loans.

The burden is on organizations that want to make a difference. They have to go through the sometimes arduous, time-consuming process of filling in forms and submitting applications to federal agencies if they want to receive funding for projects that will grow jobs, increase commerce, advance education, create better health care, improve infrastructure, leverage capital, boost affordable housing and more. Read more →