Raceway Ford participates in stormwater management program
Raceway Ford Chevrolet is proud to announce it has received two community grants, as part of the Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Carolina Clear Program.
The new Community Grants program provides two downspout planter boxes to Raceway Chevrolet (of Hartsville) and Raceway Ford of Darlington free-of-charge to promote stormwater management.
“Raceway Ford Chevrolet is thrilled to be among local businesses participating in this program,” said John Isgett, President of Raceway Ford Chevrolet. “These planter boxes allow us to do our part in reducing the demand on the sewer system and use the water to promote some green space at our dealerships in Hartsville and Darlington.”
Each planter box is designed to divert rainwater from the downspout gutter to water the plants and re-enter the downspout when a surplus of water is present.
Clemson Extension Water Resources Agent Terasa Lott said stormwater is the leading threat to water quality.
“We’re always looking for ways people can get involved with wastewater management,” Lott said. “At the dealerships there is a lot of impermeable surface (pavement). Almost all of the water falling is converted to runoff. Using the downspout planters means less runoff and less potential to pick up any pollutants that could be carried to our waterways.”
The grants program is part of the Florence-Darlington Stormwater Consortium. Lott said the plans are to hopefully expand it to consortiums all over the state. To date, there are four businesses and three municipalities in Florence and Darlington counties participating in the community grants program.
“Raceway Ford Chevrolet prides itself on being good community partners,” Isgett said. “I hope that this program will continue to grow and help promote better stormwater management.” For more information about the Carolina Clear Program visit www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear or call the Extension Offices at 864-656-9999.
