Class is back in session! August marks the end of summer vacation. The first day of school for Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton County schools is August 16. LCOG wishes you and your family a happy school year! We encourage you to keep your children and loved ones safe by getting vaccinated and wearing masks. Do not forget that SC's tax-free weekend is August 6 through August 8. Eligible items can be purchased online and in-store without paying the state's 6% sales tax and any applicable local taxes.

In this edition of our newsletter, you will read about the progress of the MIRR study on Parris Island and learn about COVID scams targeting senior citizens. You will also find out about the improvements coming to US 278 and an upcoming job fair in the Hampton County area.

Please enjoy!
Lowcountry Military Installation Resilience Review (MIRR) Progress
As previously reported, the Lowcountry Council of Governments is managing the Lowcountry Military Installation Resilience Review (MIRR). In early July, the project team heard from local stakeholders covering over 35 different local and regional agencies and interest groups. Lowcountry MIRR focuses on keeping the communities and infrastructure resilient outside of the military installation that are necessary to maintain, improve, or rapidly reestablish installation mission assurance and mission-essential functions. The end goal is to provide a Community Resilience Plan. Thank you to all those who participated!

For more information about MIRR, please contact Stephanie Rossi, Planning Director, at 843-473-3958.
BEWARE of Scams!
As COVID cases begin to climb, please be mindful of the following scams targeting senior citizens:

  • COVID-19 packages. Scammers are advertising COVID tests, vaccines, prescriptions, supplies, and/or COVID-19 treatment packages. Beneficiaries who give out their information sometimes get orthotic or back braces in the mail instead.
  • A new Medicare card. Medicare will not call you to offer a new card or request information in order to issue you a new card.
  • Additional Medicare insurance coverage. Insurance companies who do not already have a relationship with a beneficiary cannot initiate a call. Also, watch out for scammers showing up at your home.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Protect your information from fraud, learn to detect fraud, and report fraudulent activity. For more information contact Dieesha Hicks, local Senior Medicare Patrol, at 843-473-3996.
US 278 Corridor Improvements
Beaufort County, in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), is proposing to make improvements to the US 278 corridor between Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, from Moss Creek Drive to Spanish Wells Road. The changes will improve the final segment of US 278 between I-95 and the Cross Island Parkway. The purpose of this project is to address structural deficiencies at the existing eastbound MacKay Creek bridge and reduce congestion along US 278 from Moss Creek Drive to Spanish Wells Road. SCDOT has revealed the preferred alternative for the US 278 bridge replacement project and is looking for public input. The formal public comment period is through August 22, 2021.

For more information, please visit the project website.
Lowcountry Job Fair Alert!
Evanesce will partner with SC Works to host two hiring events on Monday and Tuesday, August 9 and August 10, from 10AM to 2PM. Monday's job fair will be hosted at TCL Hampton (54 Tech Circle, Room 108, Varnville, SC 29944) and Tuesday's job fair will be hosted at the Estill Library (276 3rd Street Estill, SC 29918). Please bring a copy of your resume and dress professionally. The SC Works job order number is 1090674.

For more information, please contact Tony Pollen, Business Services Manager, at 843-473-3984.
If you have questions concerning any of the information contained in the newsletter, please feel free to contact Kira Fuller at 843.473.3956 or by email at rfuller@lowcountrycog.org.