Continued: DOJ
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham played a critical role in facilitating approval for the endeavor, which was initiated by the DOJ.
The proposed lease for the building, bounded by College, Barnwell and Pendleton streets and located on the university campus adjacent to the DOJ’s National Advocacy Center (NAC), is expected to take effect in four years, once it receives the necessary state approvals.
Called the Palmetto Project, the initiative will involve moving government and contractor jobs from the D.C. metropolitan area to the Columbia campus in the next few years. The space also will expand the capabilities of the NAC to train prosecutors from across the nation and consolidate operations in Columbia.
University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides said the announcement represents a tremendous gain for the university and the community because the university will be able to move forward to construct a new building for the Darla Moore School of Business, and the Midlands will get an infusion of high-paying jobs.