PORT ROYAL, S.C. —
Veterans in the Lowcountry will soon see a new clinic thanks to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
There are three proposed locations for the proposed facility, two in Port Royal, one in Beaufort.
The future new VA outpatient clinic will replace the current, much smaller, VA clinic located within Beaufort’s Naval Hospital.
Champions of the project said the new state-of-the-art facility is much needed.
“We’ve been working with our Congressional delegation to keep this a front burner issue for them,” said Warren Parker, Chairman of the Beaufort Co. Military Enhancement Committee.
Part of the need comes from the expansion of the care that the new facility is expected to bring, as services offered at the current clinic are limited.
“We’ve had veterans that have had to go as far away as Charleston which is basically an hour and 45 minute drive from here and an hour 45 minute drive back things are limited, going to Savannah is another hour and a half drive. It’s been an inconvenience to the current patrons that use the VA facility,” said Parker.
The $24 million project will build a facility between 48,000 to 70,000 square feet, with 2 to 3 stories and 500 parking spaces. It will also bring 100 jobs to the area.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said the project is currently in a procurement phase, all they can do now is wait for the lease application to be rewarded.
They’re expecting that to come through by the end of September.
Original Article: https://www.wjcl.com/article/new-veterans-clinic-coming-to-beaufort-county/65532773
