BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. — The Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee on Thursday voted without objection to postpone Beaufort County’s remaining $1.5 million pledge to the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) for the Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center until the county’s FY2027 budget process.

The committee’s action follows a presentation by TCL officials describing construction cost escalation and a delay in expected state funding. TCL’s representative told the committee the project had experienced price increases and a one‑year delay, and the college was pursuing state legislative funding and other grants to close the gap.

“Surprise, surprise, something at the tune of about half a million dollars a year,” said Richkoff, identified in the presentation as TCL’s president, describing escalation in project costs and the college’s shortfall. He said the college had a legislative ask pending and was pursuing other grants and sources of funding.

County staff reminded the committee that council previously approved a commitment of up to $7.5 million for the center, with $6 million to come from the 2025 series general obligation bonds and $1.5 million to be provided over three years. Staff said the $1.5 million was not budgeted in FY2025 and surfaced while preparing the FY2026 budget.

Committee members debated whether to decommit the $1.5 million or simply postpone the appropriation. One committee member said they were “cautious” about decommitting and preferred postponement until TCL has confirmed state funding. Christian York moved to delay the $1.5 million appropriation until next year’s budget; the motion was seconded and approved without objection.

Staff and several committee members stressed that the county’s prior resolution remains on the books and that the postponement did not cancel the earlier commitment; it delays the county’s cash appropriation until more information on state support and the college’s other funding sources is available.

The committee did not set a new schedule for re‑consideration beyond noting the item will be included in next year’s budget cycle and that TCL officials will continue to update the county.