Environmental Scan HILTON HEAD ISLAND-BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Table of Contents
Hilton Head Island...........................................................................................................3
Bluffton...............................................................................................................................4
Facts and Figures............................................................................................................5
Top 20 Employers in Beaufort County.......................................................................6
Cost of Living.................................................................................................................... 7
Government......................................................................................................................8 Education...........................................................................................................................9 Transportation................................................................................................................. 11 Energy.............................................................................................................................. 12 Healthcare....................................................................................................................... 13 Housing............................................................................................................................ 15
Arts, Culture & Recreation........................................................................................... 16
Climate............................................................................................................................. 19
Emergency Contacts................................................................................................... 20
Places to Worship.......................................................................................................... 21
Newspapers & Magazines......................................................................................... 22
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Hilton Head Island
Life in the Lowcountry centers on the water, the weather and the genteel ways of those who call it home. Perched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, gentle sea breezes caress Hilton Head Island and coax its inhabitants into a relaxing way of life. Just enough off the beaten path to retain the classic flavor of the South, this island gem of the South Carolina Lowcountry features a pristine natural environment that showcases fertile salt marshes, networks of lagoons and creeks, forests of moss-draped oaks, magnolias, pines, palmettos and a 12-mile stretch of deep, sandy shoreline. More than 60 years ago, Charles Fraser looked at a sparsely populated island of agricultural tracts and hunting lands and molded it into the prototype of the modern resort community, now copied around the world. Armed with vision, energy, modern air conditioning and investment dollars, he created a master plan for a friendly community of resort retreats and welcoming home sites. Interspersed with gorgeous scenery are championship golf courses, fine restaurants, luxurious resorts and private villas. Not just a world class vacation destination, Hilton Head Island is paradise for nearly 40,000 residents although during the peak of summer vacation season the population can swell to 275,000. The median age on Hilton Head Island is 57 and the average daily commute is less than 30 minutes. Nearly three-quarters of the population has completed at least some college. The crime rate is low, as are property taxes. The arts community thrives along with numerous dining and entertainment venues. Hilton Head Island encompasses 42 square miles of semi-tropical landscape. The first eco-planned destination in the United States, the Island’s pristine natural environment offers a relaxing, hospitable atmosphere with subtle signage and no neon lighting. Buildings are set back from the main roads, showcasing the native pines and oaks. Colors are not flamboyant and bright; instead they are subdued and blend with the natural environment - and bright streetlights here are as rare as snowstorms. A progressive land purchasing program undertaken by town leadership ensures that there is plenty of green to be seen, and strict development guidelines ensure a breathtaking view at every turn. It’s easy to see why people choose to call the Lowcountry their permanent home. At the very foundation of the community are full-time residents who work hard to ensure the area is a clean, safe and enjoyable place to visit. Friendly faces greet visitors and newcomers everywhere they go. Tourism is a mainstay of this lush retreat, with an economic impact of more than $1.6 billion in 2019. Warmed year-round by the Gulf Stream, the Island’s average daytime temperature is a mild 70°F. Approximately 2.5 million visitors annually spend some leisure time relaxing or reconnecting on the island. Much of the Island remains as it was when sighted from English sea Captain William Hilton’s ship more than 300 years ago. Hilton Head Island’s natural beauty, spectacular seascapes and exceptional ecology now beckon a new generation of explorers.
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Bluffton
The Town of Bluffton is situated on a high bluff overlooking the May River, a pristine waterway that has strongly contributed to the Town’s history and continued success. Bluffton is located just 12 miles west of Hilton Head Island, SC and approximately 20 miles northeast of Savannah, GA. It is also easily accessible from Intrastate Highways 46, 170, & 278 and Interstate 95. Rich in history and heritage, the quaint hamlet of Bluffton is becoming one of the most favored places to live in the Lowcountry. Abundant wildlife, scenic marsh views and idyllic boating conditions are carefully protected as integral to the quality of life. The residents of Bluffton are dedicated to creating a legacy of creative and cultural appreciation. Social, cultural and economic diversity and inclusiveness are a part of Bluffton’s covenant. That inclusiveness is making it one of the fastest growing communities in South Carolina. Bluffton’s growth began with Del Webb’s Sun City retirement community, which opened in 1993 and continued with businesses and planned neighborhoods throughout the years. Between 1998 and 2002, Bluffton grew from one square mile to 50. To retain the town’s character, the original acre is preserved as a historic district. Bluffton’s total population is over 23,000. This historic riverfront community still welcomes visitors and newcomers with as much charm and vibrancy as it did in its antebellum heyday. The Bluffton Old Town Merchants Society offers many delightful retail shops, art, antique galleries and restaurants with Southern regional cuisine along Calhoun Street and the surrounding Old Town. As Bluffton evolves to include newer developments, community leaders remain focused on suitable land use and aesthetics. A fierce independence still lives in the community that is striving to protect its roots and personality. A hotbed for political rhetoric in the 1840s and ‘50s, cries of secession were first given serious voice and debate in Bluffton. Union troops shelled and burned Bluffton during the Civil War. The Heyward House, Campbell Chapel AME Church and the Episcopal Church of the Cross were among 17 structures to escape destruction. These three historic buildings and seven other houses can be seen today in the town’s historic district. As a testament to the resilient spirit, Bluffton regained its footing around the turn of the century. Local business began to flourish in a variety of industries including the production of what was to become one of the area’s claims to fame–oysters. Beginning around 1900, the Bluffton Oyster Factory opened its doors and is currently the last working oyster factory in the state of South Carolina. While periods in its history have focused on commerce and trade, Bluffton has never been solely about business. It is the beauty and charm of the narrow streets, salty air and mossy walkways that continue to draw both the young and old to this little town set upon a bluff.
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Facts and Figures: Population
Hilton Head Island...........................................................................................................40,000
Bluffton...............................................................................................................................23,000
Beaufort County............................................................................................................. 192,000
Median Resident Age
Hilton Head Island.................................................................................................................... 57
Bluffton........................................................................................................................................ 37
South Carolina...........................................................................................................................39
Demographic Breakdown
Hilton Head Island
White alone............................................................................................................................77.1%
Black alone............................................................................................................................. 7.0%
Asian alone.............................................................................................................................0.8%
Hispanic................................................................................................................................ 14.9% Other........................................................................................................................................0.2%
Bluffton
White alone...........................................................................................................................59.1%
Black alone............................................................................................................................18.7%
Asian alone..............................................................................................................................1.8%
Hispanic.................................................................................................................................17.6% Other........................................................................................................................................2.8%
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Top 20 Employers in Beaufort County (Listed Alphabetically) Beaufort County School District
Marriott Resorts
Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Montage Palmetto Bluff
CareCore National
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
County of Beaufort
Sea Pines Resort
Cypress Club Inc.
Sitel Operation Corporation
Department of Defense
Tenet Health System/Hilton Head, Inc.
Gregory M Parker, Inc.
The Greenery, Inc.
Hargray Communications Group
The Kroger Company
Lowes Home Centers, Inc.
University of South Carolina
Marine Corps Community Services
Wal-Mart Aociates, Inc. Source: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - 2019 Q4
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Cost of Living
The Council for Community and Economic Research produces the Cost of Living Index which measures differences between participating areas in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non- consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile. It is based on various items which have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures. All items are priced in each location at a specific time and according to standardized specifications. The Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan equals 100 and each participant’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all places.
ACCRA Cost of Living Index Comparison 2019 Annual Average Data Composite
Grocery
Housing
Utilities
Trans.
Health Care
Misc.
Atlanta, GA
102.4
103.1
102.4
85.2
103.4
107
105.9
Charlotte, NC
97.9
101.4
87.8
95.7
90.5
105.9
105.6
Chicago, IL
120
101.6
154
92.4
125.6
100
109.3
Cleveland, OH
96.6
105.7
82.4
96.2
99.2
104.4
102.5
Hilton Head Is., SC
105.9
102.5
117.3
104.7
94.9
98.3
102.6
New York, NY
237.4
139.7
514
120.6
128.6
110.5
136.2
95.1
92.5
88
98.3
90.7
103.7
100.8
Raleigh, NC
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Government
Hilton Head Island employs a council-manager form of government, with six council members and one mayor. The council and mayor serve four-year staggered terms. The town’s financial management is strong, with high levels of reserves maintained over time and a well-developed 10 year plan. Bluffton employs a council-manager form of government, with four council members elected at-large and mayor elected at-large. The council persons serve four-year staggered terms and the mayor serves a fouryear term. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are situated within Beaufort County, which employs a governing County Council, elected to serve four-year staggered terms. Town of Hilton Head Island One Town Center Court Hilton Head Island, 29928 (843) 341-4600 www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov Beaufort County Government Center 539 William Hilton Pkwy. Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 842-4221 www.co.beaufort.sc.us Beaufort County Council P.O. Drawer 1228 100 Ribaut Road Beaufort, 29901 (843) 470-2591 Bluffton Town Hall P.O. Box 386 20 Bridge Street Bluffton, 29910 (843) 706-4500 www.townofbluffton.com Beaufort County Courthouse (843) 470-5202 Hilton Head Island Magistrate’s Office (843) 842-4260
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Education
Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are within the Beaufort County School District, which is among the 500 largest school districts in the nation. The Beaufort County School District educates nearly 22,000 students in Beaufort County, South Carolina, the second-fastest growing county in South Carolina. The district manages five early childhood centers, 17 elementary schools, six middle schools, and six high schools. The district shares operating responsibility of the Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence (along with the Jasper County School District) and also sponsored the charter for Riverview Charter School, a K-8 facility that opened in 2009. The district also sponsors an Adult Education alternative school where students above the age of 17 can earn a diploma or GED in both virtual and traditional settings. The superintendent is Dr. Frank Rodriguez. The district is governed by an 11-member board of education elected members represent the electoral district in which they live and serve staggered, four-year terms.[1] Hilton Head Island and Bluffton also offer seven private academies to educate children from grades one through 12. The University of South Carolina Beaufort reaches back to 1795 and has an over 50 year relationship with the University of South Carolina. USCB is the fastest growing four-year facility in the USC system. A record enrollment of 2,000 full-time students currently enrolled. USCB students pursue baccalaureate degrees in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. The university’s two campuses, located on 200 acres at the gateway to Hilton Head Island and on the waterfront in historic downtown Beaufort, serve a diverse student body. USCB’s faculty of scholars and professionals is committed to undergraduate teaching and learning in small class settings. The Technical College of the Lowcountry offers programs in some of the Lowcountry’s and the nation’s fastest growing career fields. It offers a variety of educational options, including associate degree programs in technical and business areas, diploma programs and professional certificates. The college also offers transfer block programs and awards Associate in Arts or Science degrees which may be transferred in full to any four-year public college or university in South Carolina as well as to many out of state. Enrollment continues to grow with 2,247 students enrolled in classes.
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The following educational institutions are located in our community:
Public Schools
Private Schools
Bluffton High School 12 H.E. McCracken Cr, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 706-8800
Hilton Head Christian Academy 55 Gardner Dr, Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 681-2878
Daufuskie Island Elementary School PO Box 54, Daufuskie Island, 29915 (843) 842-1251
Hilton Head Preparatory School 8 Fox Grape Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29928 (843) 671-2286
H.E. McCracken Middle School 250 McCracken Cr, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 706-8700
May River Montessori PO Box 2557, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 757-2312
Hilton Head Early Childhood Center 165 Pembroke Ave., Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 689-0400
St. Francis Catholic School 45 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 681-6501
Hilton Head International Baccalaureate School 30 School Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 689-4100
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School 323 Fording Island Road Bluffton, South Carolina, 29909 (843) 815-9988
Bluffton Elementary School 160 McCracken Cir, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 706-8500
Heritage Academy 11 New Orleans Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29928 (843) 842-8600
Hilton Head High School 70 Wilborn Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 689-4800
Sea Pines Montessori Academy 9 Foxgrape Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29928 (843) 785-2534
Hilton Head Middle School 55 Wilborn Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 689-4500
Continuing Education
Academy for Career Excellence 80 Lowcountry Dr, Ridgeland, 29936 (843) 987-8107
Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts 10 Wilborn Rd, Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 342-4380
Technical College of the Lowcountry PO Box 1288, Beaufort, SC, 29901-1288 (843) 525-8211
May River High School 601 New Riverside Road, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 836-4900
University of Phoenix 8001 Chatham Center Dr, Suite 200 Savannah, GA, 31401 (912) 232-0531
M.C. Riley Elementary 200 Burnt Church Rd, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 706-8300
University of South Carolina Beaufort-North Campus 801 Carteret St, Beaufort, SC, 29902 (843) 521-4100
Okatie Elementary School 53 Cherry Point Rd, Okatie, 29909 (843) 322-7700
University of South Carolina Beaufort-South Campus at New River One University Blvd, Bluffton, 29909 (843) 208-8000
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Ground Transportation
Set at the southernmost tip of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are located off Interstate 95 via Exit 8. The fastest route to properties on the south end of Hilton Head Island is via the Cross Island Parkway, which accepts a $1.25 toll for two-axle vehicles. A Palmetto Pass for commuters is available at the Customer Service Center near the exit to Marshland Road. The William Hilton Parkway, Highway 278, takes travelers to the north end of the Island.
Air Service
Hilton Head Island Airport hosts American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines. The airport also serves charter and private flights. The airport may be reached at (843) 689- 5400 or www.bcgov.net/airport_hhi. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is located 20 minutes from Bluffton and 45 minutes from Hilton Head Island. Air Canada, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country and United, offer flights into Savannah. All flights are met by ground transportation companies. Contact information is (912) 9640514 or www.savannahairport.com.
Train Service
Amtrak service is available in Savannah, Ga., located 45 minutes from Hilton Head Island. Amtrak may be contacted at (800)872-7245 or www.amtrak.com. Mileage to selected Cities: Atlanta, GA.........................................................287 Baltimore, MD....................................................633 Boston, MA.......................................................1036 Charleston, SC....................................................114 Charlotte, NC.................................................... 259 Cleveland, OH................................................... 774 Columbus, OH.................................................. 684 Chicago, IL........................................................ 968 New York, NY.................................................... 821 Pittsburgh, PA................................................... 706 Raleigh, NC....................................................... 330 Washington, DC............................................... 586 11
Energy
Beaufort County is a significant consumer of both petroleum and electricity. While its natural beauty and amenities have made the County a desirable place to live, the availability of reasonably priced electricity to power air-conditioning has made the County a bearable place to live during the summer months. County residents and visitors also rely almost solely on private automobiles to commute to work and to conduct the most basic of errands. These factors point to the need to create new policies and reevaluate existing policies that affect the amount of energy that is consumed locally and to explore opportunities to locally produce alternative forms of energy. South Carolina has no coal mines, and coal-fired power plants rely on supplies from other states. South Carolina’s only substantial energy resource is its system of rivers and lakes, which offers modest hydroelectric power from facilities located in several river and lake basins. Other opportunities for renewable energy lie primarily in the state’s off shore wind and solar resources. The suppliers of electricity in Beaufort County, Palmetto Electric Cooperative and South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G), rely primarily on coal-powered generators. Palmetto Electric, which serves roughly 66,000 customers in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties, buys power from state-owned Santee Cooper through the Central Electric Power Cooperative. Santee Cooper generates about 80% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants. SCE&G, which serves 45,500 customers in Beaufort and Jasper counties, generates its own electricity, with about 65 percent of it from coal.
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Healthcare
Hilton Head Regional Healthcare consists of two hospitals, an outpatient center, a mainland medical campus, a free-standing emergency department and a physician network located in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Hilton Head Regional Medical Center is a 109-bed facility. The Coastal Carolina Medical Center is a 41-bed facility located in Hardeeville. The hospital‘s Outpatient Center is located in Bluffton. Hilton Head Regional Medical Center has more than 100 board certified or board eligible physicians representing more than 30 specialties and subspecialties. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of medical and surgical services for adults and children including advanced cardiac care, open heart surgery, cancer care, rehabilitation, women’s center and emergency services. Coastal Carolina Medical Center provides access to acute care services including intensive care, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, inpatient and outpatient surgical services, and physical and occupational rehabilitation. The hospital also features an inpatient rehabilitation center, a hyperbaric/ wound treatment center and a 24-hour emergency department. The Bluffton Outpatient Center is located on Highway 278 in Bluffton and provides a wide array of outpatient services. The Hilton Head Regional Physician Network offers the convenience of neighborhood health care backed by the resources of Hilton Head Regional Medical Center. Family practice and internal medicine physicians provide flexible office hours to meet family healthcare needs. The largest hospital between Savannah and Charleston, Beaufort Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit, community hospital licensed for 197 beds. A regional referral center, it boasts staff of more than 150 boardcertified or board-eligible physicians. Beaufort Memorial’s main campus offers a full range of medical, surgical and emergency services, as well as a state-of-the-art Outpatient Imaging Center. Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Medical Services is a multi-specialty facility located in Bluffton offering a wide range of medical services. It also houses a new full-time internal medicine practice, Bluffton Primary Care.
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Healthcare Facilities Beaufort Memorial Hospital 955 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902 843-522-5200 Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Medical Services Westbury Park, 11 Arley Way, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-706-8660 Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center 1680 Ribaut Road, Port Royal, SC 29935 843-522-7800 Visit www.bmhsc.org for more information on all Beaufort Memorial facilities. Bluffton Health Center 59 Ulmer Road, Suite B, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-2251 Bluffton Medical Campus 75 Baylor Drive, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-836-4262 Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center 40 Okatie Center Boulevard, Okatie, SC 29909 843-705-8800 www.hiltonheadmedctr.com Coastal Carolina Medical Center 1000 Medical Cetner Drive Hardeeville, SC 29927 843-705-2500 www.coastalcarolinamedicalcenter.com Hilton Head Regional Medical Center 25 Hospital Center Boulevard, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-681-6122 Free Physician Referral call 1-877-56-CARES www.hiltonheadregional.com Tidewatch Emergency Department 349 Tidewatch Drive, W, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-8433
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Housing
People from all over are discovering that the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton area is one of the most attractive places in the country to live, work and raise a family. With 12 gated developments on Hilton Head Island, 11 in Bluffton and new developments breaking ground, there is a home to fit every lifestyle. The choices are endless–a historic home in Old Town, a new home in a private, gated community, a villa with a scenic water view and many more options. It’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to call the Lowcountry home. More than 200 real estate agents with 200 firms are registered with Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island. Two professional organizations are in place to regulate and elevate area real estate and homebuilding industries as well as to assist clients with purchasing or building a home. In the Town of Bluffton, the Community Development Department operates the Bluffton Historic Small House Program, which encourages residents to buy land in the historic district and build an appropriate style small home that blends seamlessly with the charming architectural styles of the area.
The Golden Years of Retirement
As resort towns with an active lifestyle and friendly people, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are perfect places to spend retirement. In fact, individuals ages 65 and older account for 28 percent of the area’s population. According to a U.S. Census study, South Carolina is ranked among the top destination states for the mature market. Factors that play an integral role in the decision to retire here include the gentle climate, accessible healthcare facilities, coastal landscape and nearby recreational activities.
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Arts and Culture Gullah Culture
The African-American Gullah culture, prevalent since the 1800s, is a revered part of Island history, and residents recognize the need to preserve and treasure this esteemed heritage. Gullah is a rich and colorful culture celebrated through foods, crafts and religious practices. Originally descended from African slaves who worked the Southern plantations, the Gullah people of the Lowcountry and nearby coastal islands of South Carolina and Georgia are the most culturally distinctive AfricanAmerican population in the United States. The Gullah culture is kept alive through vivid storytelling in the native dialect of Gullah, a Creole blend of European and African tongues. Through passionate prayers, sermons and tales, the Gullah remember their past and look toward the future preservation of their culture which is distinguished by the crafts of sweet grass basket sewing, quilt making and fish netweaving. The Gullah people developed a unique culture based on folktales, superstitions and a distinct cuisine which shaped generations of families living on Hilton Head Island and in the Lowcountry. Visitors to the Island during the month of February can attend the annual Gullah Celebration, a spirited festival that features the arts, crafts, history, music and food of the Gullah people. Other opportunities to experience Gullah culture year-round include Gullah-N-Geechee Mahn Tours and Gullah Heritage Trail Tours.
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The Arts
The area’s splendid beauty and rich history have inspired vibrant arts and cultural community that rivals many metropolitan areas. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton have long fostered a diversity of artists and their work. The multi-million-dollar Arts Center of Coastal Carolina showcases some of the country’s most renowned visual and performing artists in a variety of events throughout the year. The Elizabeth Wallace Theatre holds the distinction of housing South Carolina’s largest production company. Broadway-style theatre, pop, jazz and classical concerts, children’s events and gallery exhibitions are among the enriching experiences offered at the center. The Hilton Head Art League encompasses over two dozen art galleries and studios. With more than 800 members, the Art League promotes visual arts by sponsoring workshops with nationally known artists, hosting two annual art shows and supporting a gallery where local artwork is sold year-round. Bluffton has a strong arts presence with a legacy of creative and cultural appreciation by residents. The Cole-Heyward House Historic Center in Bluffton is open to the public and provides information on the history of the town. The Society of Bluffton Artists represents approximately 175 artists and displays their works at a gallery in the Gallery Row district of Old Town. Dozens of art galleries and unique gift shops fill the hamlet, offering everything from the curious to the exquisite. Music brings more culture and includes the Hilton Head Orchestra and the Hilton Head Choral Society. The sweet sound of harmony and heritage resonate from the Hilton Head Barbershoppers and The Hallelujah Singers, two groups who help preserve different musical styles.
Recreation
From lagoon dotted golf courses to miles of meandering bike paths to sandy beaches, the protected landscape of the area offers the perfect setting for recreational activities whether you are a landlubber or an old salt. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offer a myriad of activities for visitors and residents to relax and recharge. The crown jewel of Hilton Head Island’s recreational system is its 12 miles of white sandy beaches. The temperate, climate and Gulfstream-warmed waters enable residents of many interests to explore the Island’s beautiful waterways and take advantage of a fabulous array of both land and watersports year-round.
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Golf
There is a reason why residents and returning visitors to Hilton Head Island affectionately refer to the destination as“The Golf Island.” In fact, the game of golf has been a Lowcountry tradition since the first Scottish immigrants to South Carolina organized America’s first golf club in 1786. Today, there are more than 24 championship courses located on Hilton Head Island, twenty of which are semiprivate, and over 40 courses in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton area. With its sub-tropical climate, sunny skies and lush green fairways, the destination boasts a year-round golf season. Golf enthusiasts delight in the wide and scenic fairways of area courses, created by golf’s most preeminent architects. George and Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and more have all left their distinctive marks. More than one million rounds of golf are played annually. A number of prestigious tournaments and special events attract attention every year. Perhaps the most celebrated tournament is The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing featuring the biggest names on the PGA Tour circuit.
Tennis
With more than 300 courts in all three Grand Slam surfaces, including grass, Hilton Head Island has earned the distinction of one of America’s top spots for tennis. Top-ranked tennis facilities and programs attract tennis professionals and amateurs who seek to improve their game with private or group instruction that is available daily. The prestigious Van der Meer Tennis Center, one of the world’s most renowned tennis schools and international headquarters of the U.S. Professional Tennis Registry, is one of the top-notch facilities offering daily lessons for players of all skill levels. The Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, located in Sea Pines has developed numerous state, sectional, national, and international champions over the years and is noted for having one of the strongest college placement programs in the country.
Recreational Options
An alluring array of recreational options is available in the area. Biking, kayaking, sailing, surfing, parasailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, fishing and crabbing, horseback riding, miniature golf, playgrounds, swimming pools, and the options go on as long as a leisurely stroll on the pristine beach. One of the latest trends making a niche in the market is kayak fishing on the area’s salt marshes. For the sports enthusiast, some of the most enjoyable competition can be found on the fairways, beaches, baseball diamonds, waterways and tennis courts. And for sports with a more competitive edge, residents and visitors can try a triathlon, a marathon or a soccer game. Other sports that can be played locally include basketball, beach cricket, billiards, bocce ball, bowling, croquet, equestrian, Frisbee golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, racquetball, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming and ultimate Frisbee. 18
Climate
Hilton Head Island’s weather is ideal for those wanting to explore the outdoors and soak up the sunshine. The Hilton Head area features a balmy, subtropical climate year round. The largest barrier island off the Atlantic coast between Long Island and the Bahamas, Hilton Head Island is located 40 miles north of Savannah, GA, and 90 miles south of Charleston, SC. The Island lies on the Intracoastal Waterway and encompasses 42 square miles of semi- tropical, Lowcountry geography, including unspoiled sea marshes, creeks and lagoons, heavily wooded forests of tall pines, palmettos, magnolias and live oaks, and 12 miles of broad Atlantic beach.
Hilton Head Weather - Average low and high temperatures Fahrenheit/Celsius: January: 40-59F / 4-15C
July: 74-89F / 23-32C
February: 41-61F / 5-16C
August: 74-89F / 23-32C
March: 48-68F / 9-20C
September: 69-85F / 21-29C
April: 56-76F / 13-24C
October: 59-77F / 15-25C
May: 64-83F / 18-28C
November: 49-69F / 9-20C
June: 70-87F / /21-31C
December: 42-61F / 6-16C
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Emergency Contacts
Communications/Telephone & Cable
For All Emergencies 911
Hargray Communications www.hargray.com 5 Buck Island Road Bluffton, 29910 (843) 815-1600
Bluffton Fire & Rescue (843) 757-2800 Bluffton Police Department (843) 706-4550
856 William Hilton Parkway P.O. Box 5519 Hilton Head Island, 29938 (843) 686-5000
Federal Bureau of Investigation Columbia Field Office (803) 551-4200
Hargray Wireless (843) 842-4000
Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue Division Patrol (Beaufort) Administration (843) 682-5100
Hargray Long Distance (843) 842-4400 Hargray Cablevision (843) 686-5000
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch 785-3618 Hilton Head Office (843) 842-4111
Spectrum 890 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, 29928
South Carolina Highway Patrol (Beaufort) (843) 726-8076
Recycling and Waste Removal/pick-up
Utilities
Hilton Head Island is served by private waste removal firms to be contracted on an individual basis. For self- disposal, residents can take solid waste and recycling to the Beaufort County Convenience Center at 26 Summit Road (next to the fire station). For more information, call (843) 470-6408. Bluffton offers curbside pick-up for refuse and recycling, (843) 846-3926.
Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc. www.palmetto.coop 111 Mathews Drive P.O. Box 23619 Hilton Head Island, 29925 (843) 681-5551 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville, SC 29927 (843) 208-5551
Libraries
South Carolina Electric & Gas www.sceg.com 81 May River Road Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-8802 or (800) 354-7234
Bluffton Community Library 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton, 29910 (843) 757-1519 Hilton Head Island Library 11 Beach City Road Hilton Head Island, 29926 (843) 342-9200 www.beaufortcountylibraries.org 20
Places to Worship: Hilton Head Island All Saints Episcopal 3001 Meeting St. (843) 681-8333 Anglican Church of the Redeemer 1 Mathews Dr., Suite 101 (843) 785-3967
Congregation Beth Yam Synagogue 4501 Meeting St. (843) 689-2178 First African Baptist 70 Beach City Road (843) 681-6427
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist 382 Squire Pope Rd. (843) 681-3678 North Island Baptist Church 3800 Main St. at Meeting St. (843) 689-3800
Bible Baptist Church 2800 Main Street (843) 681-8713
First Baptist Hilton Head 100 S. Forest Beach (843) 785-4478
Providence Presbyterian Church 171 Cordillo Pkwy. (843) 842-5673
Central Church of God 975 Wm. Hilton Pkwy. (843) 686-5995
First Church of Christ Scientist 4 Park Lane (843) 785-9556
Queen Chapel A.M.E. 14 Beach City Rd. (843) 681-3315
Central Oak Grove Baptist 161 Mathews Dr. (843) 681-5784
First Presbyterian Church 540 William Hilton Pkwy. (843) 681-3696
Seventh Day Adventist Church 8 Park Lane (843) 341-2732
Chapel Without Walls 3000 Main Street (843) 815-2345
Grace Community Church 450 Spanish Wells Rd. (843) 681-6698
Christ Lutheran Church 829 William Hilton Pkwy. (843) 785-5560
Hilton Head Presbyterian Church 235 William Hilton Pkwy. (843) 689-6362
St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist 20 Pope Avenue (843) 785-4711
Christian Renewal Church 95 Gardner Drive (843) 342-5433 Church of Christ 23 Bow Circle (843) 686-2323 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2800 Meeting St. (843) 681-6100
Holy Family Catholic Church 24 Pope Avenue (843) 785-2895 Indigo Pines Chapel Bible Study 110 Gardner Dr. (3rd Floor Chapel) (843) 521-0152 Island Lutheran Church 4400 Main St. (843) 689-5200
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St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church 45 Beach City Rd. (843) 681-6350 St. James Baptist 209 Dillon Rd. (843) 681-6446 St. Lukes Episcopal Church 50 Pope Avenue (843) 785-4099 Unity Church of Hilton Head 200 Museum Street (843) 842-8300
Newspapers & Magazines The Island Packet www.islandpacket.com (843) 785-4293 The Bluffton Sun www.blufftonsun.com (843) 757-9507 Bluffton Today www.blufftontoday.com (843) 805-0800 The Business Report & Journal www.savannahbusiness.com (912) 351-9122
Culture and Recreation Boys & Girls Club 151 Gumtree Road Hilton Head Island, 29928 (843) 689-3646 Bluffton: (843) 757-2845 Arts Center of Coastal Carolina www.artshhi.com 14 Shelter Cove Lane P.O. Box 5188 Hilton Head Island, 29928 (843) 686-3945 Coastal Discovery Museum At Historic Honey Horn www.coastaldiscovery.org P.O. Box 23497 Hilton Head Island, 29925 (843) 689-6767 Hilton Head Island Recreation Center www.islandreccenter.org 20 Wilborn Road P.O. Box 22593 Hilton Head Island, 29925 (843) 681-7273
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