Bamberg County Establishes Program to Support Vulnerable Residents | |
Following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last year, the Bamberg County Sheriff's Office’s “R U OK?” program was established to assist elderly residents, individuals with disabilities and those living alone.
“Our priority is the safety and security of every resident in Bamberg County,” Sheriff Kenneth Bamberg said. “The ‘R U OK?’ program has allowed us to extend our support to those who might otherwise be overlooked, especially in the aftermath of a disaster. Our goal is to ensure that no one is left behind.”
The sheriff and his team worked tirelessly after Hurricane Helene struck the county, conducting welfare checks, responding to urgent calls and coordinating aid for affected residents. The “R U OK?” program’s weekly phone calls were instrumental in reaching those who were isolated or in distress, underscoring its importance in times of crisis.
| | April is National County Government Month | | |
April is National County Government Month, and SCAC is taking the time this month to celebrate the workers who keep counties, and our state, running.
In South Carolina, 46 counties provide the services that 5.4 million residents rely on in their day-to-day lives, including animal control, courts, emergency response, health and social services, law enforcement, litter control and solid waste removal, and parks and recreation.
From Abbeville to York, we’re grateful for the work and dedication of county employees and elected officials. Thank you!
Be sure to follow us on social media to see all of our National County Government Month highlights!
| | U.S. Treasury Issues Notice to SLFRF Recipients | | |
The U.S. Treasury Department in March announced it will enhance compliance checks on State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) obligation data submitted by counties as part of its efforts to ensure taxpayer funds are used in accordance with program requirements.
The Treasury intends to recoup funds obligated or expended impermissibly and to recapture funds that were not obligated by the deadline. Counties that are deemed noncompliant will receive "Information Document Requests."
The Treasury also will begin sending "Financial Instructions to Return Unobligated Funds" to counties that did not fully obligate their award funds by the Dec. 21, 2024, obligation deadline based on the latest data available.
Counties required to submit quarterly reports should have sent their latest data to the Treasury by Jan. 31, covering obligations through the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. Counties required to submit annual reports will submit their next report to the Treasury by April 30, covering obligations through the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline.
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| | SC Housing Helps Public Servants Achieve Homeownership With Palmetto Heroes Program | |
SC Housing is turning homeownership dreams into reality for South Carolina public servants through the 2025 Palmetto Heroes Program, which provides $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance alongside low, fixed-rate mortgage loans.
The program supports those who play a vital role in their communities, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, veterans, active-duty military and National Guard members.
Eligible participants can access financing through SC Housing's First-Time Home Buyer Program. Since funds are on a first-come, first-served basis, buyers must have an executed sales contract to secure assistance.
More details are available at SCHousing.sc.gov or by calling 803-896-2211.
| | Clean Energy Technology Center Provides Help on Alternative Energy Siting and Permitting | | |
The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center's Carolinas Development Assistance and Siting Hub (C-DASH) program offers support to counties in the Carolinas with education and technical assistance on solar and wind energy siting and permitting.
The center collaborates with partners from across the region, including the South Carolina Energy Office, for the following services:
- Surveying residents and hosting community meetings to understand local questions and perspectives on renewable energy development.
- Providing resource materials to support local governments, including model ordinances for wind and solar development and a database of existing renewable energy ordinances in the Carolinas.
- Supplying technical assistance for county governments on siting and permitting issues.
The program team offers assistance through multiple formats, including one-on-one consultations (virtual or in-person when appropriate), presentations for local officials and communities, ordinance review and development and research assistance covering key issues and topics related to utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage development.
Visit the C-DASH website to submit questions and technical assistance requests and sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, news and program updates.
| | 2025 SCAC Directory of County Officials Now Available Online | |
The 2025 SCAC Directory of County Officials is now available online!
The directory identifies all elected and appointed county officials in the state. It also identifies SCAC's officers, Board of Directors, past presidents and corporate partners as well as regional councils of government, members of the South Carolina General Assembly and state and federal officials.
Addresses and telephone numbers are included for county and state officials and members of the state General Assembly.
View the complete 2025 Directory of County Officials or view individual County Pages for directory information.
You can also submit updates to the online directory here.
| | SC250 Offers Grant Programs for 2025 | |
The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) is now accepting grant applications for FY25 (July 2024 - June 2025). SC250’s goals are to inspire education and set up cultural tourism sites that will have an impact on the future.
SC250 offers one $3,000 Non-Competitive Organizing Grant to each official County 250 Committee. This grant is non-competitive so applications are accepted ongoing until 3 p.m. May 7.
SC250 also offers competitive grants in the following levels:
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Monthly grants up to $15,000 (Apply by the first business day of each month at 3 p.m. through June 2)
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Major grants from $15,001 to $125,000 (Application deadline is June 26)
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Premier project grants starting at and above $125,001 (Application deadlines is June 26)
Learn more about the FY25 Grant Programs.
| | EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, COLLABORATE | | Registration Open for SCAC Annual Conference | | |
Registration is now open for the 2025 SCAC Annual Conference and Institute of Government for County Officials! This year's event will be held Aug. 4-6 at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms.
Only those who are registered to attend the Institute of Government or the Annual Conference will be able to book accommodations in the reserved conference room block. SCAC must receive a completed registration before the reservation link will be sent. You must be a paid registrant to receive the discounted hotel rate.
Delegate registration for the Annual Conference is $450 each if received or postmarked by July 25. After that date, delegate registration increases to $475 each.
Learn more about this year's events and complete your registration.
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PO Box 8207
Columbia SC 29202-8207
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