Grants writer says her dismissal could cost the county funds
Last Updated on 3/20/2010
Published on 6/16/2009
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
The woman who plays a major role in bringing in millions of dollars each year is one of the workers who has been terminated in the effort to balance Georgetown County's budget.
As reported last week, seven positions within the county are being eliminated and there will be a 3-percent across the board pay cut for all other workers.
Suzie Showman has worked as the county's grant writer for the past 11 years.
On average, she estimates she has written grants that have added at least $6 million each year to the county's budget.
"If I didn't write (the grant application), I was involved in writing it," she said.
The grant application process is much more complicated than filling out a simple form.
Showman said some of the applications are as much as 25 pages long.
"You have to create a budget and then write a narrative explaining what we need the grant for and why. You have to describe the county," she said.
Showman has already started the process of applying for money from the $700 stimulus funds Gov. Mark Sanford was ordered by the court to apply for but she is unsure if the county will receive any of the money.
County Administrator Sel Hemingway was the one who made the recommendation to council.
The Times tried to get comments from Hemingway but the call was not returned.
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Many districts do not have grant writers at the district levels anymore - others in the buildings and department heads have had to "step up" and take charge in getting these grant monies in those districts - I just hope that Georgetown County will step up to the plate to continue to write grants in hopes to sealing more money for the kids. Posted by on 6/25/2009 |
