Beaufort-Jasper EOC marks 60 years, asks Port Royal for small municipal fund to help near-eligible households

James Williams, executive director of the Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission, presented to the Port Royal Town Council on March 11 and outlined the agency’s services in Beaufort and Jasper counties, including Head Start programs, senior nutrition and groceries, emergency rental and utility assistance, weatherization and farmers-market voucher distribution.

Williams noted the EOC’s 60th anniversary and said the agency serves hundreds locally: in 2024 the EOC provided utility assistance totaling about $118,000 to Port Royal residents and distributed roughly 700 farmers-market vouchers locally. He described how the agency verifies household income and said many Port Royal households sit just above federal eligibility thresholds for certain programs.

Williams told council that, for households slightly over the federal guideline, a municipal assistance fund administered in partnership with the EOC could fill short-term crises and keep vetted families from falling into hardship. He offered to provide a documented proposal with a dollar amount and criteria for how such a fund would operate.

Council members thanked Williams and asked for the written proposal; the mayor and council agreed to publicize EOC services so residents know where to seek help. Williams invited the council to an August 15 celebration of the EOC’s 60th anniversary.

The council took no formal action at the meeting but expressed interest in reviewing the EOC’s proposal.