Public Education & Community Outreach Services

The primary purpose of this RFP is to secure the services of a qualified firm to plan, develop, and execute a public education and community outreach campaign for the 2026 Beaufort County Transportation Sales & Use Tax Referendum. The campaign must be factual and educational, with the goal of ensuring that Beaufort County voters are fully informed about: The nature, rate, and duration of the proposed one-cent sales tax The transportation projects and improvements that would be funded Who pays the tax, including the role of tourists and visitors in sharing the burden What is and is not subject to the tax under South Carolina law The County's track record since 1998 on prior sales tax commitments and current project status The timeline and process leading to the November 3, 2026 vote How to access additional information and participate in the process Secondary objectives of the campaign include: Building broad community awareness across all geographic areas and demographics of Beaufort County Engaging underrepresented communities, including Gullah/Geechee communities, non-English speakers, and rural residents Mobilizing civic, business, and neighborhood organizations as trusted messengers Maintaining consistent and transparent messaging through all channels Generating measurable increases in awareness and understanding of the referendum