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
READ MORE in National and Local News Coverage:
https://www.wjcl.com/article/beaufort-county-leaders-seek-new-coast-guard-base/70015071
https://www.wtoc.com/2026/01/16/town-port-royal-county-eyes-new-coast-guard-training-facility
