News Summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is evaluating three potential sites in Beaufort County for a new outpatient clinic aimed at enhancing healthcare access for local veterans. This facility is expected to create around 100 jobs and will offer a wide range of medical services. With an anticipated budget of $24 million and a timeline of 18 months to two years for construction, the project represents a significant improvement in healthcare services for the 17,000 veterans residing in the area.

Beaufort County Considers New Outpatient Clinic for Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently evaluating three potential locations in Port Royal and Beaufort for a new outpatient clinic. This facility aims to significantly enhance healthcare access for veterans in Beaufort County and is projected to create around 100 jobs in the region. The VA has submitted a request for $24 million in the 2024 budget to initiate a “build-to-suit” lease agreement with a private developer, with the new clinic expected to span between 48,000 and 70,000 square feet and include two to three stories along with 500 parking spaces.

Project Timeline and Developments

The VA plans to lease and operate the new facility for a period of 20 years, anticipating the award of the lease within the next few months. Construction is expected to commence shortly after, pending required permits and approvals, with a timeline projected to take 18 months to two years to complete.

Three Sites Under Consideration

The three locations being considered for the new clinic are:

• 28 acres at 708 Robert Smalls Parkway in Port Royal: This site is owned by Harold Trask Jr. and consists of two vacant parcels close to the Shadow Moss subdivision.
• 16 wooded acres at 301 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort: Owned by Myrtle Bush Farms LP, this site is in proximity to residential housing.
• 11-acre plot off Ribaut Road in Port Royal: This location has ownership shared among several parties and is situated within residential neighborhoods.

The new clinic is projected to replace a smaller VA primary clinic currently housed within Naval Hospital Beaufort. The existing facility’s space totals only 8,453 usable square feet, which is deemed insufficient to meet the rising demand for healthcare services.

Enhancements in Healthcare Services

The services to be offered at the new facility are comprehensive and diverse. They will include primary care, mental health care, ambulatory services, eye clinic services, physical and occupational therapy, prosthetics, dental care, lab services, and a pharmacy. With an increase in the veteran population and an anticipated rise in the demand for services over the next two decades, this new facility is expected to better serve the projected 17,000 veterans residing in Beaufort County, who represent approximately 11% of the local population.

Financial Considerations

The current operational lease cost for the VA at the Naval Hospital stands at $432,774, which is expected to escalate to about $4.6 million with the new facility. The existing lease is set to expire on January 5, 2028, creating urgency for the transition to the new clinic.

Community Impact and Future Prospects

The VA has assured that the transition will not adversely affect the operation of the existing hospital. Community leaders and business representatives are exploring potential future uses for the Naval Hospital following the announcement of a new $150 million medical clinic at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. As plans progress for the new outpatient clinic, public support is likely to grow, with the facility poised to significantly improve the timeliness and accessibility of healthcare services for veterans in the region.

As the VA moves forward with the project, further developments regarding the selected site and design are anticipated in the coming months, offering hope for enhanced healthcare access for veterans in Beaufort County.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Island Packet: Beaufort County Considers New Outpatient Clinic for Veterans
• Wikipedia: Veterans Affairs
• Your Island News: Dandridge Receives VA Commendation
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
• ABC News 4: Debby Prompts Widespread Closures Across South Carolina
• Google News: Beaufort County Outpatient Clinic
• Horry News: Myrtle Beach VA Outpatient Clinic Opens
• Google Scholar: Veterans Healthcare

Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.