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JASPER COUNTY — County residents will consider a sales tax referendum this Election Day that would raise an estimated $470 million for transportation and conservation projects over 15 years. If approved by a majority of voters, the referendum would impose a one percent sales tax on most retail purchases, excluding gas, medications and most food items. The tax would begin May 1, 2025, and continue for 15 years, with $376 million earmarked for transportation projects, and $94 million slotted for greenbelt initiatives, which are meant to protect the area’s natural resources, including water and land.
Elected officials are advocating for the referendum as a way to address significant infrastructure needs in the fast-growing community. Environmental groups have also spoken in support, touting the initiative as a way to stem the impacts of new development through conservation. From 2020 to 2022, Jasper was South Carolina's fastest-growing county , according to U.
S. Census data. With its population rising by 11 percent, Jasper County topped Horry County, anchored by popular tourist spot Myrtle Beach, as the state's fastest-growing.
$950 million transportation sales tax will be decided by Beaufort County voters Jasper County grew twice the rate of neighboring Beaufort County, the home to Hilton Head Island, and nearly four times faster than the state average in that time. More growth is coming. Hardeeville is expected to reached a population of 31,000 by 2030.
That growth comes with significant transportation needs. "This is a referendum for citizens to consider to allow funding so that we can get some roads reworked, repaved," said County Chairman Martin Sauls. "Our infrastructure is severely deficient, to make a long story short.
We have terrible roads in Jasper County." A number of local groups have thrown their support behind the ballot initiative as not only a financial tool for transportation improvements, but an opportunity for land and water conservation. Today's Top Headlines Story continues below Helene was the worst storm to slam the Carolinas in a generation.
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Twenty percent, or $94 million of the $470 million raised would be earmarked for greenbelt initiatives, which include purchasing property for conservation and conservation easements, creating passive and active green spaces, protecting natural resources, agricultural or heritage landscapes and scenic corridors. That funding for conservation projects is important to protect against suburban sprawl that could infringe on the county's green spaces, said Grant McClure, South Coast Project Manager at Coastal Conservation League. In Beaufort County state Senate race, incumbent Tom Davis has long-shot challenger to fifth term "We understand that growth is important to support the local economy, however when it is rapid and unchecked, it can gravely impact the quality of life in our communities," McClure said.
"We believe these conservation dollars can strike a balance." If passed, the referendum would also create an opportunity for the county to leverage resources from state government, like the SC conservation bank, said Marjorie Cleary, state government relation manager for the Nature Conservancy based in Columbia. "It would be an unfortunate missed opportunity if (not passed)," Cleary said.
"Doing this type of work in securing lands and water in Jasper County is only going to become more expensive over time, so the time is now to do it." As population booms, Lowcountry water authority grapples with rapid growth following summer peak In neighboring Beaufort County, a $950 million transportation sales tax referendum will also be decided by voters. If both referendums are passed, Jasper and Beaufort would work together on road improvements that span the two counties, but Beaufort County's referendum has seen more speed bumps on its journey to the ballot.
The initiative has seen less public support from conservation groups. The vote also comes as Beaufort County officials work to earn back the trust of constituents following recent revelations of mismanagement and controversial spending..
