Georgetown County has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation’s 2025 Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) Grant Program to improve emergency communications and disaster preparedness.

The grant was formally presented to Georgetown County Council on June 24 by Mindy Taylor, Duke Energy’s Director of Government and Community Relations for the area.

“Several months ago, the Duke Energy Foundation issued a request for proposals to our emergency management partners offering them the opportunity to apply for a grant for state of the art life-saving equipment, innovative technology and training. It was a pretty competitive grant process,” Taylor told the council. “I have to share with you that Brandon Ellis (Georgetown County Emergency Services Director) wrote one of the best grants that we received. Kudos to Brandon for doing that. Tonight, I’m here to share that the Duke Energy Foundation is granting Georgetown County $12,000 to purchase state-of-the-art radios that will really enhance their ability to respond to emergencies.”

The funds will be used to purchase advanced communications equipment that will enhance operations both in the field and in the county’s Emergency Operations Center during severe weather and disaster events.

“This will allow for continuity of emergency communications when it matters most,” Ellis said. “We are grateful for the support from Duke Energy and their commitment to supporting emergency operations in Georgetown County and across South Carolina.”

Georgetown County is one of 38 government agencies and nonprofits across South Carolina selected to receive a HERO Grant this year. Now in its fourth year, the program awards a total of $500,000 annually to fund emergency preparedness efforts including training, equipment and innovative technology. 

Georgetown County Council Chairman Clint Elliott thanked Taylor and Duke Energy during the meeting and applauded the collaboration between private industry and local government to improve public safety.