Coast Guard to expand in Lowcountry after Rep. Cunningham legislation

Expect to see a lot more of the Coast Guard around Charleston soon.

Rep. Joe Cunningham announced that funding has been secured to speed up the U.S. Coast Guard's expansion in the Lowcountry.

The funding was approved by the House Appropriations Committee in the Fiscal Year 2021 Homeland Security Funding legislation.

Coast Guard Admiral Karl Schultz said the Coast Guard will add two National Security Cutters (NSC) and over 1,000 more personnel in Charleston.

“The brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard have decided to make a home for themselves in the Lowcountry and it is an honor to have them here,” said Cunningham. “I am proud to have helped secure the funding necessary for them to do the critical work of ensuring maritime safety, interdicting drugs, providing emergency and disaster relief, and keeping coastal communities like ours safe.”

Last year, Cunningham was appointed tot he U.S. Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors.

Among other things, the 2021 Homeland Security Funding Bill also includes the following:

$68 million for maintenance, testing, evaluation, and support of the Coast Guard’s tenth and eleventh NSCs, both of which will be homeported at Coast Guard Base Charleston upon completion.

$18 million towards the purchase of waterfront real estate needed to homeport two additional NSCs, as well as for security and a storm water management infrastructure to support an increased Coast Guard footprint in Charleston.

$3.3 million to provide for necessary additional construction and improvements to pier infrastructure to support Base Charleston’s fifth NSC. This funding will also provide shore-side improvements to accommodate additional storage, shipping and receiving, and maintenance space.

The legislation will also help to improve employment outcomes for Coast Guard spouses by providing them financial assistance to pursue a degree or certification.