As this year ends, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Bluffton has grown and changed in many ways, but what inspires me most is how our community continues to come together – neighbor to neighbor and family to family – to shape the future of this special place we call home.
One of the highlights of this year was opening new places where people can gather. The historic Squire Pope Carriage House at 111 Calhoun Street found new life as the town’s Welcome Center, offering visitors and residents a warm introduction to Bluffton. It’s our way of saying, “This is who we are, and we’re glad you’re here.”
The town also opened New Riverside Barn Park, a 37-acre space with trails, open fields, and a playground that includes a hill (one of the highest points in the Lowcountry), a zip line, and equipment for all ages. The restored barn on the property is set to open for event rentals in February 2026, providing a new gathering space for weddings, reunions, and celebrations.
And at Oscar Frazier Park, the town’s first splash pad quickly became a favorite spot for families.
These places aren’t just projects; they are where neighbors gather to make memories.
This year, the town also took meaningful steps to protect the natural landscape that defines Bluffton. The town became the first in South Carolina to adopt a wetlands protection ordinance, strengthening buffer requirements so new development better respects our environment. We continued progress on the Historic District Sewer Project, which will replace aging septic systems to safeguard the May River. And in partnership with Beaufort County’s Green Space Program, we’re working to preserve nearly 300 acres in Buckwalter that might otherwise be developed. Protecting this land means protecting water quality, open space, and the sense of place that is uniquely Bluffton.
At the same time, we are working to ensure Bluffton’s economy serves the people who live here. Through the town’s Economic Development Incentive Program, the town supported projects that brought more than $56 million in private investment, nearly 90,000 square feet of new commercial space and around 150 jobs to our community. This program is strategically designed to bring medical, childcare, and professional services closer to the fastest-growing neighborhoods.
The Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI), the town’s economic development arm, continued helping entrepreneurs start and grow businesses, keeping talent and opportunity here at home. Next year, DRCI will open a second facility in Buckwalter Place, providing space and support for new businesses as they get established.
All of this progress connects us back to a simple idea: We plan with purpose. Bluffton doesn’t grow by accident. Our strategic plan guides how we invest in infrastructure, housing partnerships, parks, and quality-of-life priorities – so we build a future that reflects who we are and what we value.
I am a fourth-generation Blufftonian and this work is personal to me. My family is here. My history is here. And I want Bluffton to remain a place where every family can build their story.
Thank you for your care, your pride, and your partnership.
