The skies were as blue as the brand new collection bins at the Big Dam Swamp Recycling Center as residents and officials gathered for a ribbon cutting at the new site just outside of Andrews.
“We have been planning this for years,” Ray Funnye, Director of Public Services, said. “I’m happy to be here to help dedicate this center to the people of Big Dam Swamp and the Western part of Georgetown County.”
Funnye noted that his departmental engineers designed the site, and Maverick
Construction brought it to reality, using funding left over from a sales tax referendum in 2014.
He credited County Administrator Angela Christian for making sure the project was included, and she was on hand to see the facility.
“It’s wonderful to see a project at its inception all the way through to completion,” she enthused. “Many departments worked to make this happen, and I know it will serve Georgetown County well.”
Councilman Raymond Newton, who serves District 5 - home to Big Dam Swamp - was also at the event to celebrate the new service.
‘I’d argue that this is one of the nicest recycling centers I’ve seen in the whole county,” Newton said, nodding to Public Services staff. “I think you’ve hit a home run. I think the people of Big Dam Swamp deserve it - no more long trips to dump off trash and recycling.”
Newton invited residents Elizabeth Byrdic and Mark Cumbee to cut the ribbon, because they were his sounding board when the center was first proposed.
“I can’t give enough thanks to everyone who had a part in making this happen,” Cumbee said. “It’s such a benefit, and when you take things to recycling, they become something you can use again.”