The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun February 17, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 4 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
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VA selects Beaufort County site for new $30.4 million outpatient clinic By Sasha Sweeney Editor
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Jan 30, that they have selected a Beaufort County site for a new $30.4 million outpatient clinic aimed at expanding health care access for Lowcountry veterans who now often travel outside the county for services. The community-based outpatient clinic will be built at 1844 Ribaut Road in Port Royal, previously the site of the former Sea Island Apartments, and near Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, two major military installations that anchor the region’s large veteran population. Currently, many Beaufort-area veterans travel about 40 miles southwest to the Savannah VA Clinic for outpatient care or roughly 70 miles northeast to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, the region’s primary full-service VA hospital, for specialty and inpatient services. Officials say the new Beaufort County clinic will be a 48,000–70,000 square feet modern outpatient facility providing primary care, mental health services, counseling, and critical VA programs closer to where veterans live. “We worked to authorize over $30 million for this clinic because our Lowcountry veterans deserve world-class care close to home,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01). “Today’s announcement means we’re one step closer to delivering on this promise. The facility will be located right where our veterans need it, near Parris Island and MCAS Beaufort, ensuring the men and women who served our country can access the care they’ve earned without unnecessary travel or delays.” South Carolina is home to nearly 400,000 veterans, according to federal data, with a significant concentration in coastal counties. Beaufort County’s proximity to
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active-duty installations has contributed to steady demand for veterans’ health services as service members transition to civilian life and remain in the area after retirement. Community-based outpatient clinics are designed to provide routine and preventive care in local settings, while more complex procedures and hospital-based treatment continue to be handled at larger medical centers. The Beaufort County project was authorized by Congress as part of federal veterans infrastructure funding. The clinic is expected to open in 2028, according to information released by Mace’s office. Additional details regarding design and construction timelines are expected following completion of federal leasing and contracting processes. Leaders have said the investment will create construction and healthcare jobs,
and strengthen health care access for former service members in the Lowcountry and reduce barriers to care caused by distance and appointment availability. Once completed, the clinic is expected to serve thousands of veterans in Beaufort County and nearby communities, providing expanded access to medical services.
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