J. Mitchell Graham/Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Awards
The J. Mitchell Graham/Barrett Lawrimore Regional Cooperation Memorial Awards recognize innovative projects completed by South Carolina’s counties during the past two fiscal years. Winners represent the best qualities of local governance—attention to details, service to citizens, efficient use of tax dollars, and improvement in the quality of life. They demonstrate how creative problem-solving and collaboration can achieve impressive results, and offer new ideas for other counties to consider. Each project is judged on the written entry submitted via the online application form by the application due date and an in-person presentation before a panel of judges on the competition day.
The J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award, established in 1972, recognizes counties that address community challenges, implement operational improvements or enhance their citizens’ quality of life in a unique way. The award was named for past SCAC President and Charleston County Councilman J. Mitchell Graham, who served the Association from 1969 to 1970.
The Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award, established in 1998, highlights the growing need for regional partnerships, strategies, and solutions. Competition for this award is open to two or more political subdivisions (counties or county partnerships formed with city, town, district, or regional government organizations) that worked together on a project. The award was renamed in 2005 for Charleston County Councilman Barrett S. Lawrimore, who served as SCAC president in 2004.
2026 Awards Program Information
The 2026 J. Mitchell Graham and Barrett Lawrimore Regional Cooperation Memorial Awards Competition will take place Sept. 10, 2026 at SC ETV Studios in Columbia..
The Awards Luncheon, featuring the announcement of winners, will be held Oct. 27, 2026 in conjunction with the Fall Advocacy Meeting.
For more information including important dates, competition rules and how to apply, please visit the Awards Toolkit and Application webpage.
Questions?
Contact Susan Turkopuls at sturkopuls@scac.sc or by calling 1-803-252-7255, ext. 115.