Bridge Purchase Assistance Program
Application period now open!
The South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Timber Producers Association are partnering to improve and expand the Portable Bridge Purchase Assistance Program.
Funding made available by the U.S. Forest Service will be used to assist eligible forest products operators in purchasing portable bridges, short-span steel bridges for crossing roadside ditches, or steel wet-weather road mats. To be eligible for the program, applicants must reside in South Carolina and not have any tracts with unresolved BMP compliance issues. The primary use of the bridges and/or mats must be for forestry-related activities.
Funding is based upon actual expenses incurred. Program funding will pay for 80% of the total costs to purchase portable bridges or mats up to a maximum payout of $18,000. The applicant will be responsible for paying the remaining amount. Applications must be approved before the purchase is made to be eligible for assistance.
The initial application period opened Friday, June 5, 2026, and will close Friday, June 26, 2026. A lottery system will be used to select which applicants receive funding if the number of applications received exceeds the available funds. If there are funds remaining after the initial funding period, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you would like to be considered for funding, complete and submit the application form by July 31, 2026. Please contact SCFC Environmental Program Manager Holly Welch at (803) 667-0815 or via email at hwelch@scfc.gov if you have any questions.