IILOCAL NEWSII
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HILTON HEAD ISLAND’S AIRPORT GETS MILLIONS IN FUNDING, A COUNTY REFERENDUM MOVES CLOSER TO BEING ON THE BALLOT, AND A PROMINENT LAWYER WAS CHARGED WITH MURDER. HERE IS WHAT MADE NEWS THIS PAST MONTH:
HILTON HEAD ISLAND AIRPORT
AIRPORT TERMINAL UPGRADE RECEIVES $12 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING The Hilton Head Island Airport has received $12 million in additional funding for the estimated $53 million terminal upgrades in the South Carolina State budget. The project is estimated to begin in the winter of 2022 and be completed in mid-to-late 2025. The project will include approximately 43,000 more square feet of terminal space, three jetways for passengers, new parking, security upgrades, an all-new baggage claim, a new grand hall, and a four-lane passenger drop off and pick-up area. “This is an important win for Hilton Head and Beaufort County,” said Sen. Tom Davis. “The upgrades to Hilton Head Island Airport Terminal are needed to match the growth of Beaufort County, showcase the Lowcountry, and deliver people directly to the number one island in the U.S.” 36 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M
BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL PASSES $142.1M BUDGET Beaufort County Council approved a $142.1 million budget for the 2023 fiscal year. The proposed budget can be found at beaufortcountysc.gov/budget. Budget highlights include: 7% increase in tax revenue from population growth that led to a $6.2 million budget increase; $1.7 million in new county positions; highlights include $105,840 for deputy human resources director and $701,906 to run the 60-andBetter program and expand services. USCB APPROVED FOR NCAA DIVISION II MEMBERSHIP The USC Beaufort Department of Athletics was officially approved as provisional members of NCAA Division II. The school applied in April 2021 when the Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors unanimously accepted USCB as a provisional member of the league. With
USCB’s acceptance into the NCAA, the Sand Sharks are now full-fledged PBC members. USCB will transition into the three-year provisional stage that begins in the 202223 season. If USCB successfully passes the annual reviews, the Sand Sharks will become a full and active NCAA Division II member in 2025-26. GREENSPACE SALES TAX REFERENDUM ADVANCES Beaufort County Council voted 8-2 to advance a 1 percent, four-year, $300 million Greenspace Sales Tax referendum that could be presented to voters on the November ballot. It will be to purchase land, conservation easements, and buy down density to slow and prevent development. The money may also be used to pay off debt from past land purchases. There will be a public hearing and the third reading of the referendum before it is on the November ballot. County Council rejected a proposed streets, roads, bridges, and greenbelts sales
