Lowcountry Council of Governments

08/08/2026

After 55 years at 1 school, Beaufort High track coach still thriving. ‘I bleed green’

08/04/2026

🗣️🗣️🗣️SCDOT to hold public open house about proposed bridge replacement project in Colleton County‼️

Columbia, S.C. (August 4, 2026) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation will hold an open house public information meeting in Colleton County to share plans for a proposed project to replace three bridges along SC 64 (Bells Highway) over Little Salkehatchie River, Tributary to Buckhead Creek, and Buckhead Creek.

The drop-in style meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Bells Elementary School, 12088 Bells Highway, Ruffin, SC 29475. There will not be a formal presentation. SCDOT representatives will be available to share preliminary project plans with attendees and answer questions.

SCDOT will accept public comments on this project through September 4, 2026. Comments may be submitted in-person at the public meeting, online through the project website, via email to [email protected], or by mail to Craig Winn, SCDOT, P.O. Box 191, Columbia, SC 29202-0191. Please note, any information provided, including names and addresses, is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Project Website:

Bridge Replacement of three bridges along SC 64 (Bells Highway) over Little Salkehatchie River in Colleton County, SC.

07/31/2026

SCDOT Expands SHEP Services to Jasper County

Columbia, S.C. (July 31, 2026) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) announces that its free roadside assistance service, the State Highway Emergency Program (SHEP), will expand to Jasper County beginning Monday, August 3.

07/31/2026

🗣️🗣️🗣️SCDOT announces Completion of US 17 Widening Project in Jasper County‼️

Columbia, S.C. (July 31, 2026) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation announced the completion of the US 17 Widening Project in Jasper County at a ribbon cutting ceremony today. The newly widened roadway is now open to traffic, marking a significant improvement for safety, mobility, and regional connectivity.

The $64.15 million project widened approximately 4.1 miles of US 17 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway with a 36-foot grass median, extending from SC-315 to the Georgia state line.

Additional project improvements include:

· Adding new 6-foot-wide bike paths on both sides of US 17 to provide safer travel options for cyclists

· Installing a new traffic signal at the SC-315 intersection to improve traffic operations and safety

· Incorporating modern roadway design features to improve visibility and long-term reliability

The project enhances a vital regional corridor by improving safety and reducing congestion for drivers, and supporting freight and economic growth between South Carolina and Georgia.

Secretary Justin Powell said, "This strategic location between the Ports of Charleston and Savannah makes US 17 one of the most important transportation corridors in the Southeast. As both ports continue to grow and handle increasing volumes of cargo, the transportation network connecting them becomes even more critical. Various goods arriving at these ports do not stay there -- they move across South Carolina and throughout the nation, supplying manufacturers, retailers, businesses, and consumers from coast to coast."

In addition to the project strengthening a vital transportation link between the Lowcountry region and Georgia, it will improve access along the corridor and enhance hurricane evacuation routes.

The US 17 project was made possible through a partnership between SCDOT, the Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS) and the Lowcountry Council of Governments.

Powell adds, "Communities thrive when people and goods can moved safely and efficiently. Every improvement we make today helps position South Carolina for continued success."

Although the project is substantially complete, crews will continue working over the next few weeks to address final project work items.

Drivers may continue to see traffic cones and occasional intermittent lane closures as crews complete the remaining work. Any traffic impacts are expected to be minimal.

[Pictured: Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams, Representative William "Bill" Hagar - District 122, Senator Margie Bright Matthews - District 45, SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell, Joey Rowell -Jasper County Council Chairman, Hank Amundson - Executive Director of Lowcountry Council of Governments, Stephanie Rossi - Planning Director Lowcountry Council of Governments.

07/29/2026

🗣️🗣️🗣️TURNING 65‼️

Turning 65Dieesha Hicks, State Health Insurance Assistance Progra...

07/22/2026

🗣️🗣️🗣️This FRIDAY, July 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM or until exhausted‼️

🗣️🗣️🗣️Senior Farmers' Market Voucher Distribution "FINAL DISTRIBUTION" Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Colleton Civic Center, 494 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC.

07/13/2026

🗣️🗣️🗣️The Lowcountry Area Agency on Aging is seeking a full-time Assesor‼️

07/09/2026

Congratulations Mr. Dan Wood🎉🎉🎉

A well-deserved honor for someone who has spent decades serving the Bluffton community.
Town Council member Dan Wood was recently recognized by the Rotary Club of Bluffton with Honorary Lifetime Membership — a distinction reserved for individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impact on both the organization and the community it serves.

Dan joined Rotary in 1996 and dedicated nearly 30 years of service to the club’s mission of Service Above Self. During that time, he helped shape some of Bluffton’s most meaningful community projects, including being a member of the fundraising committees that made The Rotary Community Center and Field of Dreams a reality, raising nearly a million dollars for both projects.

He was named Rotarian of the Year in 2004 and served as Club President in 2005, where he helped launch traditions and initiatives that continue to benefit Bluffton today. Among them was the club’s longstanding Salvation Army bell-ringing tradition.

Dan was also the driving force behind what became the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival. What began as his vision, supported by fellow Rotarians and community volunteers, has grown into one of the region’s signature events — today attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year and showcasing the culture, creativity and charm that make Bluffton special.

Dan is also a Paul Harris Fellow. Paul Harris is the founder of the Rotary Club International, and this honor is awarded to outstanding members.

After recently stepping away because of time commitments, the club chose to honor Dan’s decades of leadership and service by ensuring he remains part of the Rotary family for life.

Congratulations, Dan, on this well-earned recognition — and thank you for a lifetime of service that continues to shape Bluffton.

07/07/2026

🗣️🗣️🗣️Senior Farmers' Market Voucher Distribution "FINAL DISTRIBUTION" Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Colleton Civic Center, 494 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC.

07/07/2026

The formal public comment period for the 2055 Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS) and Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG) Long-Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) ends TOMORROW, July 8, 2026.
All formal comments received during the comment period will be considered, responded to if requested, and included in the project record.

• Comment on the website: https://sc-stateplanning.com/lowcountry-council-governments
• Email a comment to: [email protected]
• Mail a comment to: PO Box 98, 634 Campground Rd, Yemassee, SC 29945