Your monthly news & updates
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We thank the residents and businesses of Beaufort for adjusting to our new normal of staying at home, going out only for essentials or exercise and maintaining social distancing. It’s been a stressful few weeks, and we still have several weeks ahead of us. But TOGETHER we can flatten the curve in Beaufort County and South Carolina!
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On Monday, April 6, Beaufort City Council enacted a
shelter-in-place directive. Later that day, Gov. Henry McMaster announced a stay home or work order, effective April 7. Nothing in the City’s ordinance contradicts what the state is doing.
The City is asking you to stay home, unless you are going to work, going out for essentials (groceries, prescriptions), or getting some exercise in your neighborhood or neighborhood park.
If you do go out to a store, please wear a cloth mask (see DHEC tutorial below); gloves if you have them, and take wipes. We thank our stores, which have instituted social distancing practices. If possible, only have one member of the household do the shopping.
If you are an employer, please allow as many of your employees to work from home as possible. If they must come to work, please ensure each person is separated by at least six feet.
This page has all the governor’s
executive orders, including the home or work directive, and orders closing non-essential businesses, public docks and beaches, and restricting short-term rentals.
Here is an
FAQ from the City about the stay-at-home ordinance.
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Keep up to date with DHEC
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The South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control has
daily updates of numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state as well as in each county. It gives a
ZIP code breakdown on cases as well. It also offers
numbers on testing. As of Tuesday, April 7, the numbers: 2,417 positive cases in the state; 169 positive in Beaufort County; and 51 deaths.
According to DHEC, we will have peak resource use in the state on April 24. Of course, that could change depending on the measures each of us is taking now.
Above, a DIY video from DHEC on how to make a mask using simple materials from home.
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Thank you, BMH! We appreciate you!
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A HUGE thank you to everyone at Beaufort Memorial Hospital – doctors, nurses, aides, staff of all kind. They are heroes, every one! The hospital’s website has a page of COVID-related information, resources and advice, so make sure you
bookmark it to keep up with the latest news.
Have you seen the hospital’s
#StayAtHome challenge? The best thing we can do for all the doctors, nurses, aides and service staff at BMH is to stay home, so that we don’t contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
If you are interested in making donations to the hospital please
go here for a list of needed items, as well as how and where to donate them.
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Latest updates on taxes
The federal government has extended the income tax deadline to July 15, 2020. South Carolina also changed its due date to July 15.
Beaufort County
The Beaufort County auditor announced these new deadlines:
- Business personal property returns for furniture, fixtures, and equipment and rentals are now due no later than June 1.
- Motor vehicle bills will be sent out as normal; however, the South Carolina DMV has waived all late fees for non-commercial vehicles with registrations that expire in March through May. The new due date is July 1.
- Watercraft and motor bills (not documented vessels) that are due in May will have a due date of June 30. Bills due in June will have a due date of July 30.
For more information, please contact the Beaufort County Auditor’s Office at auditor@bcgov.net or 843-255-2500.
City of Beaufort
Beaufort City Council waived certain penalties and fees for late payment of business license renewals or hospitality and accommodations tax filings until June 20.
Read more here.
However, if you can pay your taxes by the regular deadline, the City asks you to do so.
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Resources for businesses
There are a number of resources available to help local businesses navigate the aid that is coming from the various relief packages signed into law by President Trump. Here are some of them:
- The Beaufort County Regional Chamber of Commerce has a Coronavirus Resource Center devoted to resources for businesses in our community and suggestions on how we can safely support those businesses. Find it here.
- Beaufort County also has a list of business resources. Find it here.
- Congressman Joe Cunningham has a list of federal, state and local resources for small businesses. Find it here.
- Law firm Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP, has prepared a resource page for South Carolina employers that includes regulatory and unemployment information. This Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQ is from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations is extending the license renewal deadline for licenses, registrations, and permits scheduled to renew during the months of April, May, June, July, and August. The new renewal deadline is extended to September 30.
Full information here.
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Supporting our restaurants & hospitality staff
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Beaufort's restaurants and various parts of the hospitality industry are struggling right now. But many restaurants are still offering curbside or delivery options. Here is how you can help:
Beaufort Curbside To Go & Delivery
Facebook page
has the latest on our many restaurants and how we can support them (safely!)
The
Beaufort CVB
(Visit Beaufort, Port Royal & the Sea Islands) has a page devoted to updates on events (many canceled); interactive maps, etc.
Find it here.
BAHA
(Beaufort Area Hospitality Association) has a Facebook page where it is posting jobs for those in the hospitality industry (wait staff, chefs, tour operators, etc.,) who are out of work. If you know of job opportunities, please send to BAHA.
Find it here.
BAHA also has a resource page
. Find it here.
BAHA has also set up a
#SAVEYOURFAVES
for
#
LATERDAYS
to get the word out on local restaurants and businesses that offer gift cards for purchase on their websites or by calling the business. Purchase a gift card from one of your favorite local restaurants or double
#
GIVE
by purchasing one and gifting to a local first responder, police officer, nurse or healthcare staff, or anyone directly working to help us fight this devastating virus.
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Visit Beaufort -- in the future!
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And now for a needed break!
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Artists from throughout the City of Beaufort have filmed a series of videos to bring viewers happiness and inspiration while they continue to shelter at home.
The series, called On the Spot and coordinated by USCB’s Center for the Arts and the City of Beaufort, showcases singers, dancers, visual artists, musicians, storytellers and others. The videos can be found on the City’s
YouTube channel and one will be shown daily on the City’s
Facebook page.
Read more here. Check out Anita Singleton-Prather's Recipe for Love video below.
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Playgrounds are closed at all City parks. But we wanted to advise you that the City will spray for fire ants at the following locations:
- Tic Toc Playground, 2714 North St., April 8
- Pigeon Point Playground, April 22
- Dog park at Southside Park, April 29
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With many people staying at home, a lot more folks are working on their yards ... raking up all the gunk that even brief winters bring. Here's a reminder from WastePro on how to bundle and bag yard debris:
- Place all items adjacent to but not in the street by 6:30 am on the scheduled pickup day.
- Bulk waste and yard waste materials must be generated by the resident at the residential unit where the bulk is collected.
- Vegetative yard trash MUST be put in disposable containers not to exceed 50 lbs. and 4 feet in length or tied in bundles also less than 50 lbs. and 4 feet in length per bundle.
Yard debris will be collected once per week on your garbage collection day.
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Outdoor burn ban
The South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statewide outdoor burning ban that went into effect Tuesday, April 7.
The ban prohibits:
- Yard debris burns
- Forestry, wildlife or agricultural burns (also known as prescribed, or controlled, burns)
- Campfires and other types of recreational open burning
After consulting with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, State Forester Scott Phillips ordered the statewide burning ban in the interest of public safety amid the current public health threat posed by the COVID-19 virus.
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City retains strong rating from Moody's
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Beaufort continues to maintain an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investor Services in Moody’s annual report on the City’s credit.
The report noted that Beaufort’s credit position is “very good,” and that the rating is above U.S. cities media of Aa3. “The notable credit factors include a very healthy financial position, a sizeable tax base with moderate wealth and income profile, and mid-ranged debt and pension burdens,” the report said.
Read more here.
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