The Tri-County Biological Science Center will receive seven million dollars in federal funding. The money is included in the federal spending bill that passed over the weekend.
“We are thrilled to receive this appropriation that fulfills Council’s strategic priority to enhance public safety,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Herbert Sass. “I would like to thank Senator Lindsey Graham for his unwavering support in securing these funds which will have enormous impacts on our criminal justice system.”
The Biological Science Center will be located at 3765 Leeds Avenue in North Charleston. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2024 with final completion estimated in late 2025. Following completion of the building, the two-year accreditation process will begin.
“We are grateful for this funding," said Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson. "Having a cutting-edge regional facility to process DNA will significantly improve the criminal justice system. It is critical that we eliminate the evidence backlogs to bring closure to victims through just, fair convictions. Likewise, exonerating the innocent is an important aspect of DNA analysis.”
