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Generations Unlimited resigns; Barnwell County begins wind-down after funding shortfall
Summary
Barnwell County Council accepted a resignation from Generations Unlimited, effective March 2, 2026, after unreimbursed SCDOT match payments and staffing costs left the organization unable to continue full operations; limited food and transport services will continue while the county prepares a final expense report.
Barnwell County Council on March 10 accepted a resignation from Generations Unlimited (GRU) and moved to begin winding down the group's operations after chronic funding shortfalls, council members said.
Chairman Freddie L. Houston Sr. told the meeting that GRU is closing because it lacks funds, not because money was misused. He said the organization had depended on matching payments from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) that were not released when required paperwork was not submitted on time. Council members also said the county has provided more than $1 million to support GRU over the past three years.
"There is a lot of uncertainty, and it puts us in the spot where we really don't understand the SCDOT requirements at this point," said Ms. Long, a Generations Unlimited representative, describing the group's difficulties meeting SCDOT's documentation rules.
Council members described recurring operational costs — vehicle maintenance, insurance and utilities — and said hiring staff to meet scheduling and driving obligations required by running the program would be prohibitively expensive compared with the likely reimbursements. Representative Lonnie Hosey said he has been pursuing possible funding relief from other sources.
The resignation letter from Generations Unlimited was presented at the meeting and is effective March 2, 2026; the council accepted the letter and entered it into the record. For now, GRU will retain one van and will continue to provide food service and some local transportation. Barnwell County's Finance Committee will prepare a final expense report, and the county Buildings & Grounds department will assist with moving furniture and equipment from the GRU facility immediately.
The council had approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session. Councilman Buckmon later moved to adjourn; Councilman Kenner seconded and the meeting closed. The county did not announce any immediate replacement operator or long-term service plan at the meeting.
