Your Chamber in Action: A report on our collaborative effort to advocate for a U.S. Coast Guard Training Center

We are pleased to provide an update on a significant regional opportunity that exemplifies the power of collaboration in our proud, patriotic community: positioning Beaufort County as the location for a new U.S. Coast Guard training facility.

In November 2025, the Coast Guard announced it was seeking a second boot camp location to train some of the 15,000 additional personnel expected to join the military branch. Through a collaborative partnership among the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC), Beaufort County Military Enhancement Committee (MEC), Defense Community Partnership Task Force (DCP), and Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, we submitted a comprehensive proposal to establish this training center at Naval Hospital Beaufort in Port Royal, South Carolina.

Our proposal centers on repurposing the 127-acre federal property situated along the Beaufort River and Intracoastal Waterway. This represents a strategic opportunity to transform an underutilized federal asset into a mission-critical training installation that honors our region's deep military heritage.

The proposed site sits at the heart of this military heritage. Port Royal, Beaufort County, and South Carolina offer the Coast Guard more than just a training location; they offer a region that instinctively understands military culture, supports military families, and takes pride in contributing to national defense readiness. Our submission emphasized several key competitive advantages that set Beaufort County apart and received unprecedented support from local, state, and federal leaders.

A Strategic Federal Property in Transition
Naval Hospital Beaufort is an iconic federal installation that has served our military and community well since 1949, though recently the level of healthcare offerings has declined. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is also planning to move VA services from the hospital to a new $30 million VA clinic that will be constructed in northern Beaufort County (announcement expected early 2026). This relocation will result in further under-utilization of what remains a secure, well-maintained federal property with established infrastructure and unparalleled waterfront access.

The opportunity: Rather than allow this valuable federal asset to remain under-utilized, our regional partnership proposes transforming it into a Coast Guard training center to:

• Maximize existing federal investment and infrastructure
• Maintain the property's military mission and federal purpose
• Create substantial new economic activity while honoring the site's service legacy
• Provide authentic maritime training environments

Economic Impact Projections:

• $300.5 million in total annual economic impact (economic output)
• 2,226 direct and indirect jobs added to the regional employment base
• $34.475 million in annual labor income
• Additional $35 million from graduation-related visitor activity

The Chamber's Coordinating Role in This Regional Partnership
The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce was honored to serve as the coordinating organization for this multi-partner initiative, bringing together the diverse expertise of our economic development, military advocacy, and strategic planning partners. We convened regular coordination meetings among BCEDC, MEC, DCP, and other industry experts to ensure unified messaging and a comprehensive submission strategy. We participated in outreach to federal, state, and local elected officials, researched and shared economic data in support of the project’s impact, and helped craft the narrative positioning Beaufort County as a service-driven, military-ready community with 100+ years of proven partnership in recruit training environments.

This is exactly the kind of strategic coordination the Chamber exists to provide—bringing together the right partners, resources, and advocacy to pursue transformational opportunities that benefit our entire business community and honor our region's values. This initiative aligns directly with the Chamber's strategic priorities:

• Economic Development: Supporting sustainable, high-impact economic growth
• Workforce Development: Creating quality employment opportunities and strengthening regional workforce pipelines
• Military Partnership: Honoring and expanding our region's military heritage and support infrastructure
• Community Advocacy: Positioning Beaufort County as a premier location for federal investment and operations

Thank you for your continued membership and support as we work together to advance opportunities that benefit our entire business community.