October 5, 2021 | Cole Karr

The South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts (SCSPD) has formally joined the National Special Districts Coalition.

SCSPD’s board of directors voted during its 2021 Educational Conference on September 29 to fund Coalition dues for its 2022 budget, becoming the sixth association broadly representing all types of special districts in their state to do so. There are only seven states with special districts associations like South Carolina. The associations’ district members will continue to enjoy federal legislative advocacy services, grants and earmarks assistance, and best practices sharing with special districts stakeholders from across the country.

“We are excited about the opportunity to join the National Coalition of Special Districts and look forward to the opportunities our partnership will offer our members moving forward,” said Brian Flynn, SCSPD Executive Director.

NSDC and SCSPD have been collaborating on, and advancing, major advocacy efforts including access to COVID-19 relief funds and the crafting a proposal create a federal “special district” definition.

“The National Special Districts Coalition has enjoyed our partnership with the South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts over the past year,” said Cole Karr, NSDC Federal Advocacy Coordinator. “We look forward to further developing this relationship and ensuring South Carolina’s districts have a solid, formidable presence in Washington, DC, and actively connecting them with the federal legislative process.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 250 special purpose districts provide South Carolinians with essential services such as drinking water, wastewater treatment, fire protection, transit, aviation, recreation, and more across the state.

The National Special Districts Coalition is the only national organization representing and advocating for all special districts at a national level. Organized in 2018, the Coalition consists of special districts’ stakeholders providing services for and representing special districts across the country. Members share resources, best practices and openly network to identify solutions to common problems for special districts across state lines.

The Coalition’s mission includes federal advocacy to ensure special districts receive equitable access to critical programs available to local governments.

For more information, contact Cole Karr, NSDC Federal Advocacy Coordinator.