Outgoing Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District Chairman, Louie Blanton, Honored with the Order of the

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — In honor of his more than three decades of service to the Spartanburg community as a member of the Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District (SSSD) Commission, Chair Louie Blanton was awarded the prestigious Order of the Palmetto at his last official meeting as a member of the SSSD Commission.

Representative Scott Montgomery presented Mr. Blanton with the award on behalf of South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster.

“Mr. Blanton, for 32 years you have served the people of this community on the Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District Commission. Since 1994 voters have continued to place their trust in you, and you have honored that trust through years of service to a community that means so much to you,” said Representative Montgomery at the awards presentation. “The Order of the Palmetto is a once-in-a-lifetime honor, and today we celebrate your lifetime of service that has made a lasting difference here in Spartanburg.”

Established in 1971 by Governor John C. West, the Order of the Palmetto is the State of South Carolina’s highest civilian honor and recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary achievement and service benefiting South Carolina and its people.

As Spartanburg has grown, the sewer district has grown with it. During Blanton’s tenure from 1994 to 2026, assets owned by the District increased from $50.5 million to $317.1 million—an increase of more than $266 million. Over the same period, annual revenues grew from $6.7 million to $55 million, while the District’s fund equity increased from $27.7 million to nearly $178 million.

“These figures represent years of decisions about maintaining essential infrastructure and strategically planning for growth in our community,” said Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District Vice Chair, Woody Willard. “Louie has been an integral part of this work across more than three decades of changing needs and priorities, and his leadership has helped ensure that as our community has grown, so has our ability to serve our customers.”

“Louie has helped guide the District through 32 years of significant growth, while keeping the needs of our customers and community at the center of his service,” added Spartanburg Water CEO, Guy Boyle. “His commitment to responsible stewardship and planning for the future has helped position us to serve a growing Spartanburg. We are grateful for his leadership, his care for our team and the lasting impact he has made as a member of our Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District Commission.”