SUMMARY: Chatham County’s 911 and emergency operations center project is experiencing delays and increasing costs. Located near Savannah-Hilton Head Airport, the facility, which aims to operate off-grid for 72 hours, has yet to secure a contractor despite groundbreaking in May 2024. Officials are addressing over 200 design-related questions to ensure the advanced technology and storm-resilient features meet requirements. Previous bids were rejected due to non-compliance. Currently expected to cost $89 million, with plans to withstand hurricanes and provide shelter for 450 personnel, the project remains in the design phase, with no set timeline for contractor selection.

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SUMMARY: Governor Henry McMaster shared his budget recommendations as the South Carolina legislative session begins. Key focuses include education, disaster relief, and infrastructure repair. McMaster proposes $50 million for the Department of Transportation to address Hurricane Helene damage. He also recommends studying underground power lines to prevent power outages from storm damage. For education, he advocates for a $50,000 starting salary for teachers and better resources for students. McMaster emphasized maintaining South Carolina’s competitive edge in attracting jobs and investments. His budget is a recommendation, with lawmakers making the final decisions.

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SUMMARY: Governor Brian Kemp is proposing an additional $50 million for school safety grants, increasing the total to $159 million, equating to $68,760 per school. He also introduced $872,000 to enhance the student-to-school-psychologist ratio. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones supports the initiative, emphasizing the priority of passing “Alyssa’s Law,” which mandates silent panic alarms in schools, following a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School. The proposal includes $120.8 million for fiscal year 2025 and $402.2 million for fiscal year 2026, aiming to fully fund education. Additionally, $10.3 million would be allocated for transportation, amid growing school district needs.

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