December 2023

ADVOCACY

Legislative Conference Offers Time

to Explore Key Issues for 2024

Managing South Carolina’s growth emerged as a key theme and ongoing discussion during the 2023 SC Association of Counties Legislative Conference, which was held Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Greenville.

SC Senate President Thomas Alexander of Oconee County, Sen. Shane Massey of Edgefield County, Sen. Karl Allen of Greenville County, and Rep. Chandra Dillard of Greenville County shared ideas on ways county officials and the General Assembly can work together on topics ranging from roads and broadband infrastructure to childcare concerns and workforce development needs.

The Legislative Committee adopted SCAC’s policy positions for 2024, and the official policy positions document will be mailed and made available for download soon.

Watch a video recap from SCAC President Roy Costner.

NEWS

Scholarship Applications Now Open

Do you know a deserving high school senior in Clarendon, Kershaw, Laurens, Marion or Pickens County? SCAC’s scholarship program is now taking applications for 2024. The great news is $5,000 one-time scholarships are available to a member of the class of 2024 in each of the five above counties who plan to pursue higher education in South Carolina.

The deadline is Feb. 1, 2024. Learn more and apply online at the SCAC’s scholarship page.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Local Government Attorneys' Institute

More than 170 attorneys recently gathered in person for the SC Local Government Attorneys’ Institute, a robust CLE opportunity with presentations on First Amendment auditors, federal and state case law updates, ethics and more.

“Being back in person was a welcome change for us as organizers and for the attorneys in attendance,” said SCAC Director of Governmental Affairs Kent Lesesne. “This event traditionally offers valuable networking opportunities for our state’s public sector attorneys, and it was great to see everyone engaging with this year’s presenters and with each other.”

COUNTY SPOTLIGHTS

Beaufort County Honored for Innovation

Preserving the Past to Serve the Future

The new Bamberg County Health Department and Veterans Affairs Office is a great example of preserving county history while evolving to meet the needs of a growing community.

The old county hospital building was repurposed to create the new facility, which honors the purpose of the original structure as it serves Bamberg County residents and military veterans.

“What a beautiful day to celebrate a new beginning. The opportunity to serve our veterans and their families in a new, updated space is absolutely exciting!” said Bamberg County Veterans Affairs Officer Craig Walker during a dedication ceremony Dec. 8. “This office belongs to you, the veteran, as a place of repair, refuge, atonement and understanding. We must never lose sight of the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made.”

“The needs of veterans in more rural counties are especially acute,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Todd B. McCaffrey, secretary of the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. He called the new Health Department and VA Office an “innovative, effective and efficient facility” that will serve generations of military veterans.

CYBERSECURITY

Home for the Holidays? Stay Cybersecure

GRANT CENTRAL STATION

Upcoming Grant Trainings

Managing Grants Effectively

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will host an in-person Overview of Grants Management Jan. 24-25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The GFOA member price is $634.50 and the non-member price is $864.

This course will walk through the grant lifecycle from pre-application to closeout and will provide the information you need to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure your organization manages its grants effectively.

Learn more

Online Workshop for State Infrastructure Grants



The SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (SC RIA) will host an online applications workshop Jan. 18, 2024, covering the basics of its three state grant programs:

• Basic Infrastructure
• Economic Infrastructure
• Infrastructure Planning

Learn more

Air Quality Collaborative Seeks Input

The Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative (PAQC), a four-year planning initiative to develop innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution in South Carolina, seeks your input about emissions reduction priorities, current actions, and concerns as part of its planning and grants process. Fill out this online survey by Dec. 22.

The PAQC is co-led by the SC Office of Resilience and SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program.

Learn more

CORPORATE PARTNERS

The SCAC Corporate Partner Program provides a comprehensive marketing opportunity to showcase companies' products and services directly to county leaders. The program also offers companies year-round exposure to county officials and employees at multiple SCAC events and in the Association’s quarterly magazine and annual directory.

Renew or sign up for the 2024 SCAC Corporate Partner Program today!

UPCOMING EVENT

Save the Date for Counties Connect

Mark your calendar for the Institute of Government for County Officials and Counties Connect: A Legislative Action Day to be held Feb. 20 and 21, 2024 at the Pastides (USC) Alumni Center and State House in Columbia.

COUNTY EMPLOYMENT

Are you looking for employment? Counties are hiring! Visit our County Jobs page to see open positions throughout the state.

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