BSDC November meeting Thursday, Nov. 9
The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s November meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady’s Island off Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7.
Director Erin Levesque of the Waddell Mariculture Center will discuss the updated facilities, and how important this research facility is to our local area and state resources. Comments will also be presented on the possibility of adding hatchery-raised Southern Flounder. Levesque will be presented a check to support Waddell stock enhancement efforts and funding of their internship program.
Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply, Butler Marine, and Danny Walsh and the Achurch Real Estate Group again are the monthly $50 drawing sponsors. Weigh in your favorite catch at 1734 Ribaut Road, Port Royal during regular hours. Congratulations to Debra Norwood, last month’s winner. Winners must be present at the next month’s meeting to receive the cash award.
Guests are welcome. Reservations are not needed. For additional information, please contact Captain Frank Gibson at (843) 522-2122 or email fgibson@islc.net.
City to close offices Nov. 10 for Veterans Day
The City of Beaufort offices will be closed to honor Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 10.
Harris to speak at LIBPA meeting
Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marilyn Harris will be the featured speaker at the next Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association meeting at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island. The public is welcome to stop by for coffee and conversation concerning the community.
HELP of Beaufort celebrating 50th birthday with oyster roast
HELP of Beaufort is hosting an oyster roast from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club to celebrate the organization’s 50th birthday.
Tickets are $50 each and include all-you-can-eat oysters or pulled pork barbecue platter; one beer, craft beer or wine; and dessert. Music will be provided by Chris Jones.
Attendees will be able to bid on some items donated by local businesses – such as vacations, gift cards, fishing charters, golf and more – in the silent auction. There will also be a balloon-pop raffle.
Tickets are available at HelpOfBeaufort.org or at HELP’s temporary location at 502 Charles Street in Beaufort, behind Grace Chapel AME Church.
County Assessor hosting events for Quadrennial Property Reassessment
Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders is hosting multiple community events at County Library Branches to allow the public an opportunity to meet with her staff and share questions and concerns regarding Quadrennial Reassessment Notices.
Each event will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The dates are as follows:
November
Thursday, Nov. 9 – St. Helena Branch Library
Monday, Nov. 13 – Bluffton Branch Library
Thursday, Nov. 16 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library
December
Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Lobeco Branch Library
Wednesday, Dec. 6 – St. Helena Branch Library
Wednesday, Dec. 13 – Bluffton Branch Library
Thursday, Dec. 14 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library
In the event of an unforeseeable change in the date, time, or location, the Assessor’s Office webpage will be updated to reflect rescheduling.
Governor announces business tax reduction for 2024
Governor Henry McMaster and S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd have announced that South Carolina’s unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates will decrease or remain the same for all employers in 2024. This is the third year in a row that the agency, the General Assembly, and the Governor have been able to lower UI business taxes.
“There is no better time to be in business in South Carolina. The state’s leadership has worked hard to make strong financial decisions that maintain a healthy unemployment insurance trust fund which will benefit employers in the coming year,” McMaster said in a news release. “With a growing economy, a stable trust fund balance, and lower business tax, South Carolina proves once again that it is the ideal destination for business development and success.”
With a fully solvent and resilient UI Trust Fund balance of nearly $1.6 billion, South Carolina:
– Set the 2024 tax rates to raise approximately the same level of revenue as 2023 and 2022.
– Lowered rates for Rate Classes 2-19 by an average of 6% compared to 2023 levels; rates for Classes 1 and 20 are set by statute and do not change from year to year.
– Will not require any solvency surcharge due to the sufficiently high trust fund balance.
Wilsons, Huddle House renew deal for Lady’s Island store
Huddle House recently announced a 10-year renewal agreement for their store in Lady’s Island.
Christopher and Stephanie Wilson, the husband-and-wife business duo, are the operators of Huddle House of Lady’s Island and have been serving the community since 2018. The Wilsons recently renewed their agreement with a 10-year commitment, ensuring that Huddle House will continue to be a staple neighborhood gathering place on Lady’s Island for years to come.
“As we reflect on our journey with Huddle House of Lady’s Island, we’re not just renewing a franchise agreement but also reaffirming our commitment to this amazing community,” Christopher Wilson said in a news release. “We are thankful to be working with such a dedicated team and we are looking forward to continue being the destination where friends and neighbors come together.”
Lowcountry Food Bank receives grant from Sisters of Charity
In October, Lowcountry Food Bank received a $5,000 grant from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. The foundation awards grants to nonprofits that strive to reduce poverty throughout the state of South Carolina and beyond. Lowcountry Food Bank was part of the Immediate Needs category.
“The Sisters of Charity has helped support Lowcountry Food Bank for more than a decade,” President and CEO of Lowcountry Food Bank Nick Osborne said in a release. “These funds continue to make a difference in the lives of the neighbors we serve.”
In this cycle of funding, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina awarded 100 grants totaling $877,000 to nonprofit organizations across the state.
– Compiled from staff reports
