Nov. 15, 2022 • Volume 25, Issue 22 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
INSIDE • Jacob Martin recognized on Town’s Wall of Honor 12A • Women’s group volunteers with goals of literacy 16A • Cross Schools athletes score state championship 18A • Solicitor expands services for sexual assault survivors 22A • Volunteer finds peace walking dogs 24A
Local households are ‘One flat tire away from financial crisis’ By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Workers in 50,000 households in Beaufort and Jasper counties are not making a living wage. “At the beginning of 2022, we were using $57,000 as the livable wage for our area. Based on the data, we are now utilizing $75,000 as the livable wage,” said Courtney Hampson, executive director of Bluffton Self Help. The data Hampson uses comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and MIT’s living wage model that generates a cost of living estimate. As calculated, the living wage estimate accounts for the basic needs of a
family, but does not include items many Americans take for granted, such as dining out, entertainment, leisure time, holidays or the ability to save to buy a house or invest for retirement. “100% of the neighbors we serve are atrisk,” said Hampson. “Families in poverty are living in sub-optimal housing and are food insecure. They receive food stamps and government assistance. As many as 30% have children under 18.” Hampson breaks the at-risk categories into three groups for both counties: poverty, earning less than $25,000; vulnerable, earning between $25,000 and $50,000;
Please see WAGES on page 10A
PHOTOS COURTESY BLUFFTON SELF HELP
The Market at Bluffton Self Help provides grocery assistance up to $400 a month for neighbors signed up for the program.
Town’s Strategic Planning Workshop Nov. 16 open to public Bluffton Town Council will hold a Strategic Planning Workshop Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. through the afternoon in the Theodore D. Washington Municipal Building, in council chambers at Town Hall, 20 Bridge St. The workshop is open to the public. A public comment opportunity will be available at the beginning of the meeting, after a welcome and introductions.
Town leaders and staff members will review progress of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Strategic Plan. Town staff members also will seek input from council regarding each action agenda item’s progress for future priorities. Agenda items include updates from the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation and Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority.
Shop LOCAL
Visit the Maritime Center this holiday season to shop our selection of clothing, hats, sweatshirts, toys, games, puzzles and more!
310 Okatie Highway | (843) 645-7774 Open: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-4pm PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org
and don’t miss...
Maritime Marketplace December 3rd 10am-2pm
Discussion of key topics will include transportation, finance, historic preservation, affordable housing, green initiatives and key performance
indicators. The FY 2023-24 Strategic Plan and its Action Agenda is available online at townofbluffton.sc.gov.