Letters of Recommendation

James E. Clyburn Representative, House of Representatives, Congress of the United States

Nikki R. Haley Governor, State of South Carolina

J. Thomas McElveen, III Senator, Senate of South Carolina

Murrell Smith Representative, House of Representatives South Carolina

David Weeks Representative, House of Representatives South Carolina

Christy A. Hall Secretary of Transportation (Acting), South Carolina Department Of Transportation

Gary M. Mixon County Administrator, County of Sumter, South Carolina

Sumter City Council City Council, City of Sumter, South Carolina

George K, McGregor Executive Director, SUATS Metropolitan Planning Organization, Sumter, South Carolina

G. Michael Mikota, Ph.D. Executive Director, Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments

Tim Hardee, Ed.D. President, Central Carolina Technical College

Larry Blanding Chairman, Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority

Grier Blackwelder President, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce

JAMES E. CLYBURN COMMITTEE:

DEMOCRATIC STEERINGAND POLICY COMMITIEE

6TH DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA

ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADERCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

CHAIRFAITH WORKING GROUP

<!Congressof the mtniteb $tatesj!}OU!iCof l\cptt!icntatlbc!i

Dagbington, 1B(tC 20515-4006

www.house.gov/clyburn

assistantdemocraticleader.house.gov

April 23,2014

The Honorable Anthony FoxxSecretaryUnited States Department of Transportation1200 New Jersey Avenue, SoutheastWashington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx:

I am writing you in strong support of a Transportation Investment Generating EconomicRecovery grant which is being submitted by the City of Sumter, South Carolina. The SumterConnectivity Initiative proposes to provide long term safety, mobility, employment access andeconomic development benefits. This project will connect economically disadvantagedcommunities in South Sumter with employment hubs in downtown and other parts of the City ofSumter.

The Sumter Connectivity Initiative will build upon tow locally funded major intersectionprojects which lie at each end of the project corridor. This project will transform this corridorinto a vibrant multimodal experience which will introduce complete street elements and corridordesign characteristics which will be coupled with existing institutions to attract new investmentand opportunities. The citizens of South Sumter will have greater access to existing highereducation opportunities and improved public transportation as well.

Mr. Secretary, I was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina and during my tenure inthe Congress, I have done assisted with some initiatives which will help improve the access toemployment and educational opportunities for the citizens of Sumter. This TIGER grant willenable the City of Sumter to continue the work that we have done in partnership along thiscorridor during the past few years. Again, I strongly support the Sumter Connectivity Initiativeand respectfully request its approval and funding.

With kindest regards, I am

Sincerely,

~'E~~':rn~Assistant Democratic LeaderU.S. House of Representatives

2135 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-4006(202) 225-3315

(202) 225-2313 FAX

H- 132, THE CAPITOLWASHINGTON, DC 20515

(202) 226--3210(202) 225-9253 FAX

1225 LADY STREETSUITE 200

COLUMBIA, SC 29201(803) 799-1100

(803) 799-9060 FAX

181 EAST EVANS STREETFLORENCE, SC 29506

(843) 662-1212(843) 662-8474 FAX

176 BROOKS BOULEVARD

SANTEE, SC 29142(803) 854-4700

(803) 854-4900 FAX

129 SOUTH HARVIN STREETSUMTER, SC 29150

(803) 883-50202ND & 4TH MONDAYS

Mr. George K. McGregor, AICP, Director~~==~;;ri!;~~Sumter City/County Planning Department1oI.ii.L:.J~1AU.ii"""~~liiiIoioWiiiliolj,Ul12West Liberty Street, P.O. Box 1449

PO Box 2462 • 129 S Harvin Street Sumter, SC 29151Sumter, SC 29151

Administration Office: 803-934-0396 Re: Support Letter for TIGER Grant ApplicationAdministration Fax: 803-938-9867

Dear Mr. McGregor:

The Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (SWRTA) Board ofDirectors and Management are pleased to support the City of Sumter in thisTIGER Grant Application process with the main focus on funding two majorintersection construction projects. The projects are located at the LafayetteIntersection at North Main and the Southern Gateway Intersection at ManningAvenue and Hwy 521. In addition to the major intersection constructionprojects; it will also fund the purchase and installation of new bus stops signsand Real Time Software with GPS technology for SWRTA to operate routeswithin the urbanized area of Sumter.

By enhancing and improving the two major intersections within Sumter, alongwith the connectivity of the transportation system; through the use of GPStechnology, can provide a tremendous benefit to improving the quality of lifefor citizens within the geographic areas. In providing safer highways fortraveling, ADA approved side-walks and cross walks, public transit awarenessthrough installation of new and improved bus stop signs and shelters are allneeded to provide the citizens with improved mobility options.

The SWRTA currently operates routes along these two major intersectionswithin the urbanized area of Sumter. These routes include the majority of themajor Shopping Centers, Health Care Facilities, Recreational Parks and otheremployment centers.

Again, it gives us great pleasure to provide you with a letter of support for thisproject. Please feel free to contact Lottie Jones, SWRTA's Executive Directorat (803) 934-0396 ext. 106, if you should have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,g. ,c6nding /

sw~~oard Chairma,?)

Sumter/Clarendon/Lee/Kershaw Counties: 803-775-9347 • Toll Free: 1-888-748-4987 • Operations Fax' 803-775-4048. Scheduling Fax. 803-775-898!OranoeburQ County Office: 929 Chestnut Street. Orangeburg, SC 29115 • 803-531-1302 • Toll Free. 1-800-999-9083 • Fax 803-531-2106