Council, News, News General|

MONCKS CORNER, S.C.– (Tuesday, October 13, 2020) – Berkeley County won a prestigious award from the S.C. Association of Counties for its Project SEARCH program and received special recognition in two other categories for its ManuFirstSC™ program and COVID-19 response. Representatives from the S.C. Association of Counties presented the honors at the County Council meeting on Monday, October 12 (video HERE; pictures attached).

First, Berkeley County received the Barrett Lawrimore Regional Cooperation Award for the County’s Project SEARCH program. Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort with Berkeley County School District that provides internship opportunities in County government to teens and young adults with special needs. The program’s goal is to help students develop the skills they will need for future employment. Representatives from Berkeley County School District, Vocational Rehabilitation, County Council and Project SEARCH students were in attendance to receive the award.

Next, the County received Honorable Mention in the J. Mitchell Graham category for counties with populations greater than 150,000 for its robust manufacturing program ManuFirstSC™. This initiative was developed to support Berkeley County manufacturing industries and residents by providing an innovative pathway to a long-term career for those with little-to-no manufacturing experience. To date, ManuFirstSC™ has helped train 1,090 people for manufacturing positions, including high school students and other County residents.

Berkeley County Economic Development’s ManuFirstSC™ program receives Honorable Mention for the J. Mitchell Graham Award at the County Council meeting on October 12. Pictured left to right: Michael Ramsey, Existing Industries Manager for Economic Development; Kristen Lanier, Economic Development Director; Tim Winslow, Executive Director of S.C. Association of Counties; County Supervisor Johnny Cribb; Corey McClary, Workforce Development Manager for Economic Development

Finally, Berkeley County was recognized for its entry in the COVID-19 Response and Resiliency Showcase. This entry was new this year and was not adjudicated; rather, the 10 counties that entered were recognized for their efforts throughout the pandemic. Berkeley County specifically highlighted its ability to adjust operations and make safety a priority while still effectively and efficiently serving the public during COVID-19. Additionally, SCAC Executive Director Tim Winslow highlighted Berkeley County’s first in the state public-private partnership with Fetter Healthcare Network to set up testing sites around the County.

This is the first time in 15 years Berkeley County has won an award from the S.C. Association of Counties. The County received the Barrett Lawrimore Regional Cooperation Award in 2005 in partnership with Dorchester and Charleston Counties and the J. Mitchell Graham Award in 1996.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –

Berkeley County Emergency Management officials recognized for the County’s COVID-19 response efforts. Pictured left to right: Tim Winslow, Executive Director of S.C. Association of Counties; Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb; Emergency Management Director Ben Almquist; Will Rochester, Operations Coordinator for Emergency Management Department
Berkeley County receives the Barret Lawrimore Regional Cooperation Award for Project SEARCH. Pictured left to right: Councilman Phillip Obie; Councilman Caldwell Pinckney; Councilman Dan Owens; Councilman Steve Davis; Councilman Tommy Newell; Councilman Brandon Cox; Councilman Jack Schurlknight; Councilman Josh Whitley; SCAC Executive Director Tim Winslow; Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb; Berkeley County School District (BCSD) Superintendent Dr. Eddie Ingram; BCSD School board member Michael Ramsey; Craig Hige (teacher); Nikkita Byrd (teacher); BCSD Director of Special Services Katie Stapleton; Vocational Rehabilitation Kelly Sieling; BCSD Chief Academic and Innovation Officer Dr. Kelly Wulf