What We Do

Our departments offer a wide range of services, from economic development to human service programs to transit. We are a comprehensive resource for those in Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. The Lower Savannah Council of Governments helps develop, write and administer grants; provides research and data for planning and decision-making; offers access to the Aging, Disability & Transportation Resource Center; coordinates the region’s workforce development programs; and promotes tourism through Thoroughbred Country.

 
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Aging - Snapshot of Services

  • Medicare Counseling

  • Long-term care planning presentations

  • Family Caregiver Assistance – small monetary grants

  • No cost prescriptions for uninsured (Aiken County)

  • Legal assistance referrals

  • Long Term Ombudsman

  • Health Care Advance Directive & living will assistance

  • Service referrals

  • SRS Retiree Association Member Assistance REG

 

Community Development

  • Preparation of Community Development Grant applications for cities and counties to bring infrastructure to the local area for economic development

  • Coordination of funding between grant programs to develop local projects

 
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Economic Development

  • EDA project development, application preparation and project administration for counties, cities and other qualifying entities

  • Preparation and update of annual Comprehensive Development Strategy (CEDS) which requires local citizen, industry and economic developer input.

 
Lower Savannah Regional Housing Consortium

Housing

  • Help with regulatory compliance, i.e. Section 504, Fair Housing & environmental reviews

  • Regional Housing Consortium to assist with affordable housing

 
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Planning

  • Assistance in planning, zoning, land use development & natural hazard mitigation plans

  • Rural transportation planning – Guideshare program for the federal roadwork network outside of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

  • Geographic Information System (GIS) maps & Census data

  • Customized demographic & marketing reports (public/private clients & local governments)

 
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Tourism - Thoroughbred Country

  • Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg & Barnwell Counties

  • Festival and event listings, website, Facebook & Twitter

  • Visitor guide - individuals, groups and businesses

  • Representation at consumer travel shows

  • Public relations work for coverage in magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc.

 

Transportation

  • Mobility Management – matching riders with available transit seats

  • Best Friend Express in Aiken

  • Technical assistance for Cross County Connection (Orangeburg & Calhoun Counties)

  • Transit coordination between public & private transit providers

 
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Workforce Development

  • LSCOG Workforce Development provides mission critical personnel and support to business and industries throughout the Lower Savannah Region

  • Operate SC Works Centers

  • Services to Adults, Dislocated Workers & Youth (16 – 24) for employment & training

  • Employers - Work experience, job shadowing, apprenticeships, on-the-job (OJT) & incumbent worker (IWT) training and technical assistance

  • Responsible for the Administration of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding and activities

 

The Lower Savannah Council of Governments also offers other services to local municipalities, including research, demographic profiles and custom maps. Learn more.