Beaufort County weighs uses for federal courthouse

BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — Beaufort County is considering moving some of its offices into the Beaufort Federal Courthouse now that the federal government is considering ending court operations there.

The Beaufort Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/H7U2UV) the courthouse is one of 60 federal court sites nationwide the government is considering closing to save money.

The federal courts already lease the building from the county.

The county has suffered water damage at three major buildings it owns and is considering the federal court site for county purposes. The county staff suggests the building can be used for council and school board meetings. County council has made no decision on how to use the building.

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Information from: The Beaufort Gazette, http://www.beaufortgazette.com