Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation

10/29/2026

Skilled workforce in Beaufort County is a strong benefit for potential employers and Technical College of the Lowcountry - TCL is helping build the pipeline of talent.

On this segment of WHHI-TV CONVERGE, new TCL President Dr. Laurie Boeding shared with Kathryn Mademann what is driving the college’s momentum. Currently TCL boasts a top Nursing program, a new mechatronics program on the way, and dual enrollment for high schoolers to earn up to two years of college credits with more opportunities coming soon.

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXN12LlFPvc&list=PLiVlTTnDnAcsbVeK3oc5KW3yT2SdEjI5u&index=3

“Most of our programs do lead immediately to a job particularly in healthcare and the skilled trades. We can't produce [skilled trade workers] fast enough. It's very high demand." - Laurie Boeding

And TCL is about to grow even more. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration has awarded TCL a $5.9 million grant that completes funding for the $27 million Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center at the New River Campus in Bluffton. Read more here: https://www.tcl.edu/news/u-s-secretary-of-commerce-howard-lutnick-announces-federal-investment-completing-funding-for-arthur-e-brown-regional-workforce-training-center/

We are proud to partner with organizations helping to make Beaufort County the best place to live and do business.

Background / Fields of StudyDr. Laurie Boeding, PresidentTechnic...

10/22/2026

Meet BCEDC Board Member Brian Jackson

Brian is the Savannah Market Executive for Regions Bank, where he leads the bank's Commercial Banking growth across Savannah and the South Carolina Lowcountry.

With more than 20 years in financial services, Brian has built his career serving business clients throughout the region since 2005. Before joining Regions, he led Savannah and Hilton Head business banking at Great Oaks Bank, with earlier roles at Cadence Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and SunTrust.

Brian's expertise in commercial finance and his firsthand understanding of what growing businesses need make him a valuable voice on BCEDC's Board.

To learn more about our board of directors, visit https://thrivebeaufort.org/about-us/board-of-directors.

10/20/2026

We are grateful for our partners like Don Ryan Center for Innovation

For entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses in Bluffton and beyond, having the right support system can be the difference between an idea and a thriving company — and the Don Ryan Center has been building that support system for over a decade.

Founded in 2012, the Don Ryan Center's mission is to provide innovators, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and early-stage businesses with the resources, mentorship, and guidance they need to succeed, strengthening sustainable economic development and job creation in Bluffton and the surrounding region. Through programs like Startup, Growth, Thrive, Heroes, and Tradeup, the Center meets businesses wherever they are in their journey — and its campus, including The HUB and The COVE, gives founders real space to build.

The results speak for themselves: over 14 years, the Don Ryan Center has assisted 696 companies, with 116 currently in its programs. The businesses that come through their doors don't just survive — they thrive. Don Ryan Center is proof that the right mentorship and resources can change the odds. BCEDC is proud to count them among our valued partners!

10/14/2026

New VA outpatient clinic coming soon to Beaufort County! We’re excited to see this project get underway!

10/13/2026

±12,500 SF Warehouse Building for Lease
358 Buck Island Road, Bluffton, SC 29910

A rare opportunity to lease an industrial warehouse building, containing 12,500 square feet, in the Town of Bluffton approximately 1 mile from Old Town Bluffton.

📍 Approximately 1 mile from Old Town Bluffton
📍 Built in 1998
📍 3.8-acre lot
📍 3 loading dock doors
📍 Close proximity to Highways 170 & 278 and Interstate 95

Learn more about this property and download the listing brochure: https://thrivebeaufort.org/properties/%c2%b112500-sf-warehouse-building-for-lease-bluffton-sc/

10/08/2026

BCEDC Partner Spotlight: Dominion Energy

Behind every new business locating in Beaufort County is the reliable power infrastructure that makes it possible, and Dominion Energy South Carolina has been a steady partner in that work.

At Dominion Energy, customers and communities are at the center of everything they do. The company has invested more than $1.6 billion in infrastructure since 2020, with $6 billion planned over the next five years.

That commitment hasn't gone unnoticed. Dominion Energy South Carolina has been named "Top Utility for Economic Development" by Business Facilities Magazine six years running, and by Site Selection Magazine four times since 2019. Industrial rates have also stayed below the national average for 18 years, a real advantage for companies weighing where to grow.

That investment reaches our region, too. Last year, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation awarded grants to more than 100 South Carolina nonprofits, with roughly a third of $1 million going to Lowcountry organizations supporting foster care, environmental protection, and senior housing.
For growing businesses evaluating Beaufort County, having a utility partner this committed to reliability, affordability, and the region's long-term wellbeing is a meaningful piece of the puzzle. BCEDC is proud to count Dominion Energy among our valued partners.

09/23/2026

We are grateful to our partners like Palmetto Electric Cooperative!

Reliable power is the foundation every growing business is built on — and Palmetto Electric Cooperative has been delivering it across the Lowcountry for decades.

Palmetto Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative that serves over 75,000 members across southern Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. As a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, Palmetto is built on a simple promise: deliver competitively priced, reliable energy and innovative services to its members while providing leadership and support to the communities it serves.

That commitment goes well beyond the power lines. Through Operation Round Up®, participating member bills are rounded up to the nearest dollar to fund local charities and neighbors in need. Two youth programs send local high schoolers to Washington, D.C. and Columbia, SC to build the next generation of community leaders. And the Bright Ideas grant program puts funding directly into local classrooms.

For the businesses and residents choosing Beaufort County, having a utility partner this invested in the region's people — not just its power grid — is a real competitive advantage. BCEDC is proud to count Palmetto Electric Cooperative among the partners who help our community thrive.

09/16/2026

What does personalized service look like? It isn't just a tagline for BCEDC - it's a commitment to ensuring your business needs are met.

On this segment of WHHI-TV CONVERGE, Kathryn Mademann sits down with John O'Toole and Kelli Brunson from Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation to talk about what the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s slogan, “Launch to Legacy,” means for the state and Beaufort County.

"We are with you every step of the way to get you here, but through your legacy - so through your time here in South Carolina and in Beaufort County. We're not going to desert you on day one... we'll be with you for the life of your business." - Kelli Brunson, Senior Project Manager, BCEDC

We are proud to support new and existing businesses looking to relocate or expand in Beaufort County. Thank you to the local leaders, communities, and organizations who work together to make Beaufort County the best place to live and do business!

09/11/2026

25 years later, we still remember. We honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, the bravery of those who answered the call, and the strength of a community that continues to stand together.

09/09/2026

Attention job seekers: Your next opportunity starts here!

Mark your calendar for the Beaufort-Jasper Workforce Career Fair on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Port Royal Maritime Center (310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC 29909).

Whether you're just starting your career or looking for your next step, this is your chance to meet local employers who are actively hiring.

🕛 Public career fair: 12:00–2:00 PM
(High school seniors have a dedicated session from 9:30–11:30 AM.)

✅ Meet employers face-to-face
✅ Explore open positions across the region
✅ Make real connections that can lead to real job offers

No cost to attend — just bring your resume and your best first impression!

Questions? Reach out to [email protected] or call (843) 575-6549.

S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce