Our area is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, with new residents moving in every day. To kick off our annual City Guide issue, Monthly asked the mayors of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Hardeeville to share thoughts with them:
Dear new resident:
HILTON HEAD MAYOR JOHN MCCANN
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to your new home.
This is a renowned place to live, work and visit that earned the honor of being named the No. 1 island in the continental U.S. by Travel + Leisure Magazine four years in a row.
Like you, I was once new to the area, attracted to the quality of life Hilton Head offers: 12 miles of beaches, 60-plus miles of pathways, world-class golf courses, the Intracoastal Waterway, newly expanded Island Rec Center, parks, history, culture, and outdoor activities. We have great schools, including the new University of South Carolina Beaufort campus that opened last fall on the island’s south end.
This year, Town Council is developing Lowcountry Celebration Park, now underway near Coligny Beach Park; preserving the Gullah-Geechee culture and Mitchelville; and addressing workforce development. Citizen involvement is important for many of our initiatives, so we have many residents helping us rewrite our comprehensive plan.
We’re glad to have you here and hope you will join us in continuing to make our island a caring community.
BLUFFTON MAYOR LISA SULKA
Congratulations on your move to Bluffton.
Welcome to “The Heart of the Lowcountry.”
Bluffton was founded in 1852, and the May River remains the town’s centerpiece for recreation and industry. Our residents enjoy a small-town culture with the conveniences of a larger city as we continue to maintain smart, steady growth.
On behalf of Town Council, we offer several ways to engage in our community:
- Go to town of Bluffton’s website, townofbluffton.sc.gov, to learn about capital improvement projects, public meetings and community events.
- Sign up for the town’s mailing list at townofbluffton.sc.gov/subscribe-to-ourmailing- list. You will receive all public meeting notices and media releases.
- Connect with business resources through the Don Ryan Center for Innovation at donryancenter.com.
- Attend a Town Council meeting. They are held at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Town Hall, 20 Bridge St.
- Consider applying for appointment to one of our boards, committees or commissions.
For more information, call Town Hall at 843-706-4500.
HARDEEVILLE MAYOR HARRY WILLIAMS
Welcome to “Starship Hardeeville.”
Our adopted calling card is more than a slogan. It reflects our spirit of progressive thinking as we look to build a community comprised of multi-generational Lowcountry families and thousands of new residents from around the U.S.
Hardeeville is the fastest-growing municipality in South Carolina. Based on builders’ projections, the city population could reach 30,000 by 2030, up from 3,000 in 2010.
At 55 square miles, Hardeeville ranks among the largest municipalities in the state and enjoys an ideal gateway location that includes two exits off Interstate 95; U.S. 278, the major artery to Hilton Head Island; S.C. 17, a major artery connecting South Carolina to Savannah; and frontage along the Savannah River and the CSX railroad.
With its proximity to major tourism destinations, opportunities for higher education, workforce population centers, rail lines, and nearby international seaports and airports, Hardeeville sits on the brink of an unprecedented period of growth. We’re glad you’re here to share in this exciting time with us.
