Columbia, SC (January 6, 2012) – The South Carolina Education Lottery’s 10th anniversary is on January 7, 2012, which provides the opportunity to recount the Education Lottery’s positive impact on the Palmetto State’s economy. Moreover, the numbers clearly demonstrate how successful the Lottery has been in fulfilling its mission of educational enhancement.
The General Assembly has appropriated more than $2.8 BILLION in lottery net proceeds to support education in South Carolina. This includes $2.1 BILLION for higher educational programs, which have provided more than 1 MILLION scholarships and grants awarded to South Carolina’s students. This financial aid empowers students in their educational careers and helps to retain the best and the brightest students in our state during college and after graduation.
“The LIFE Scholarship means a lot to me and helps to fund my future,” commented University of South Carolina sophomore Connor Johnson. “I am planning now for post graduate studies and the scholarship helps make that plan possible.”
Lottery proceeds aid education at all levels. Public school education grades K-12 have received $643 million in appropriations.
“Students and schools have benefited in a number of ways from the South Carolina Education Lottery,” said a Department of Education spokesperson. “Funding provided for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade in the areas of Science, Math, Language Arts and Social studies has been used to provide professional development for teachers, and boost computer and technology supplies for at-risk students and English Language learners. Some school districts have used the funding to provide a book for every student in their summer reading programs. In the 2012-13 school year, Lottery funds will be used to replace some of the oldest buses in the state bus fleet, the first such purchase in over four years,” they said.
More than $63 million has been directed to community education programs including funding for county libraries, the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services to provide gambling addiction services and the Educational Television Network for digitalization.
Not only is success evident in the numbers when it comes to education, but South Carolina’s economy has benefited from the Lottery. From the mountains to the sea, there are approximately 3,600 lottery retailers in the Palmetto State. Since 2002, participating retailers have earned more than $677 million in lottery commissions and incentives – providing much needed assistance during a difficult economy.
“During a time of much uncertainty, the Education Lottery serves as a stable asset for countless retailers,” said Kenneth Cosgrove, President of the South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores (SCACS). “In the Education Lottery, we [SCACS] have found an ally that shares our values and our goals.”
The Lottery exists to provide supplemental support for educational purposes and programs in the state, but education isn’t the only winner. Lottery players have won more than $5.8 BILLION since 2002. The Education Lottery continuously reminds its players to remember lottery games are for entertainment and to please play responsibly.
In its first decade, the Lottery has surpassed all revenue goals set by the Board of Economic Advisors by offering customers a continually renewed catalog of products while operating conservatively and with an open book policy.
“The numbers tell the story and make clear that the Lottery has and is doing good things for education in every area,” said Tim Madden, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, South Carolina Lottery Commission. “Through these successes we create opportunities which may not have existed. We are investing in our future and reaping the benefits of this investment.”
The Lottery plans to keep the ball rolling over the next 10 years for education, lottery retailers and customers. New games, bigger jackpots and exciting promotions are on the way. And as always, integrity will still remain our core value now and for many years to come.
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For More Information
Contact: Julie E. Huffman
SCEL Beneficiary Communications Coordinator
Office: (803) 737-2696 Cell: (803) 667-2848
Email: Julie.huffman@sclot.com
The General Assembly has appropriated more than $2.8 BILLION in lottery net proceeds to support education in South Carolina. This includes $2.1 BILLION for higher educational programs, which have provided more than 1 MILLION scholarships and grants awarded to South Carolina’s students. This financial aid empowers students in their educational careers and helps to retain the best and the brightest students in our state during college and after graduation.
“The LIFE Scholarship means a lot to me and helps to fund my future,” commented University of South Carolina sophomore Connor Johnson. “I am planning now for post graduate studies and the scholarship helps make that plan possible.”
Lottery proceeds aid education at all levels. Public school education grades K-12 have received $643 million in appropriations.
“Students and schools have benefited in a number of ways from the South Carolina Education Lottery,” said a Department of Education spokesperson. “Funding provided for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade in the areas of Science, Math, Language Arts and Social studies has been used to provide professional development for teachers, and boost computer and technology supplies for at-risk students and English Language learners. Some school districts have used the funding to provide a book for every student in their summer reading programs. In the 2012-13 school year, Lottery funds will be used to replace some of the oldest buses in the state bus fleet, the first such purchase in over four years,” they said.
More than $63 million has been directed to community education programs including funding for county libraries, the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services to provide gambling addiction services and the Educational Television Network for digitalization.
Not only is success evident in the numbers when it comes to education, but South Carolina’s economy has benefited from the Lottery. From the mountains to the sea, there are approximately 3,600 lottery retailers in the Palmetto State. Since 2002, participating retailers have earned more than $677 million in lottery commissions and incentives – providing much needed assistance during a difficult economy.
“During a time of much uncertainty, the Education Lottery serves as a stable asset for countless retailers,” said Kenneth Cosgrove, President of the South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores (SCACS). “In the Education Lottery, we [SCACS] have found an ally that shares our values and our goals.”
The Lottery exists to provide supplemental support for educational purposes and programs in the state, but education isn’t the only winner. Lottery players have won more than $5.8 BILLION since 2002. The Education Lottery continuously reminds its players to remember lottery games are for entertainment and to please play responsibly.
In its first decade, the Lottery has surpassed all revenue goals set by the Board of Economic Advisors by offering customers a continually renewed catalog of products while operating conservatively and with an open book policy.
“The numbers tell the story and make clear that the Lottery has and is doing good things for education in every area,” said Tim Madden, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, South Carolina Lottery Commission. “Through these successes we create opportunities which may not have existed. We are investing in our future and reaping the benefits of this investment.”
The Lottery plans to keep the ball rolling over the next 10 years for education, lottery retailers and customers. New games, bigger jackpots and exciting promotions are on the way. And as always, integrity will still remain our core value now and for many years to come.
###
For More Information
Contact: Julie E. Huffman
SCEL Beneficiary Communications Coordinator
Office: (803) 737-2696 Cell: (803) 667-2848
Email: Julie.huffman@sclot.com
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