Nine months after its economic development partnership with Jasper County imploded, Beaufort County is considering a new alliance with a mid-state county more than 100 miles away.

Economic development groups from Beaufort and Sumter counties have proposed a new organization called the Beaufort and Sumter Economic Alliance, or BASE. It would be composed of local officials from both counties and likely would meet quarterly.

It would not replace existing economic development agencies in either county.

A subcommittee of the Beaufort County Council has already endorsed the proposal. The full council could vote on the resolution within the next month.

Kim Statler, executive director of the Lowcountry Economic Alliance, which counts Beaufort County as its only member, said the arrangement makes sense.

"We complement each other very well," she said. "We are both military communities, and we both have similar assets, so we can strategically market in a lot of the same ways."

For more information, check back with the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet later today, and follow reporter Casey Conley at twitter.com/IPBG_Casey.

Related content: Split with Jasper County could affect state funding, June 14, 2012