SUMTER, S.C. — Sumter County leaders are providing new updates on how tax dollars are being spent through the latest “Penny for Progress” program, with a major focus on public safety projects now underway.

The initiative includes a $42 million investment to improve emergency response and enhance the quality of life across the county.

One of the top priorities is reducing response times in rural areas, with plans for a new EMS station near Shiloh.

“The whole idea was to improve the response times in our rural areas, and that was the impetus of funding rural fire stations and rural EMS stations to increase the reach of those two entities. The quicker, especially with EMS, that we can get to a constituent that is having a medical emergency, the better outcome is expected,” said Sumter County Chairman John McCain.

The effort also includes a $3 million renovation of the Stadium Road fire station near Sumter High School, along with construction of a new EMS station nearby.

“That one is being upgraded as far as the fire station is concerned. But right next door to the fire station, we’ve already broken ground, and we’re building an EMS station there, and we’re scheduled to have a groundbreaking for that EMS station on May 15,” McCain said.

In addition to public safety improvements, the county is moving forward with several quality-of-life projects.

At Patriot Park, crews are developing “Miracle Park,” a space designed for children with disabilities. Plans also include new pickleball courts and an amphitheater, supported by state and private partners.

Officials say not all projects will be completed at once, with some scheduled for future phases.

“A lot of the projects that are not necessarily time sensitive, if you will, they’ll be done later on in years to come. But as I said, the priority was placed on the public safety and the quality of life projects. But we have other projects like road resurfacing that’s going to be taking place, but that’s down the road,” McCain said.

For now, leaders say the focus remains on projects that can deliver the most immediate impact by improving safety and daily life for residents.