Best Moving Company in Beaufort

For the 11th straight year, Beaufort County has ranked the healthiest of all 46 counties in South Carolina, according to the County Health Rankings by Niche.com, one of the most popular rankings site in the U.S.

Beaufort is a very active community and the findings show that Beaufort surpasses the other counties in the state in its quality of life.

“Beaufort County is one of the best places to live in South Carolina. In Beaufort County, most residents own their homes, and many young professionals and retirees live there,” Niche.com said in the report.

Beaufort County’s grades were pretty good, and we received an overall A.

We received an A for Fitness and an A for Outdoor Activities and for being Good For Families.

A- were bestowed on Beaufort for Weather, Nightlife, Public Schools and Diversity.

Beaufort County also received a B+ for Jobs, a B for our Commute, a B- for our Housing and a C+ for Cost of Living.

According to Niche.com, the 2022 Healthiest Counties ranking is intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of the general levels of health among residents at the county level.

“This grade takes into account key indicators of personal health, such as smoking, excessive alcoholic consumption, rates of obesity, as well as the availability and proximity of fitness facilities, doctors, and mental health practitioners, in an attempt to measure an area’s performance in health and fitness.”

Other popular studies have shown that Beaufort County residents enjoy the longest life expectancy in the state as well as the best quality of life in South Carolina. They’ve also found that Beaufort County leads the Palmetto State when it comes to health behaviors. This includes a lower amount of cigarette smokers, a lower rate of adult obesity and the ease of access to many exercise opportunities.

How SC counties ranked

According to the study, the top 5 healthiest counties in SC are (in order) Beaufort, Charleston, Greenville, Richland and York.

According to the study, the counties with the poorest health in SC are Union, Calhoun, Hampton and Lee, Fairfield.

See the full list of South Carolina counties and see how they ranked here.

Beaufort is surrounded by sea islands and that provides an easy way for folks to enjoy the water, do some fishing or take the kayak out for a few hours. Lots of beaches, trails and parks in the area make for some fabulous long walks as well.

If you’re looking for a good quality of life….Beaufort County is your obvious choice. Beaufort is the healthiest County, after all.

A Japan-based company that’s developing flying cars — yes, flying cars — has set up a temporary office in Beaufort as it explores entry into the U.S. market.

SkyDrive, backed by venture capital from some of Japan’s largest brands, is just one of several international companies checking out Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea, as it’s known, thanks to a new office hub called the Southern Carolina Landing Pad that companies can use for free while they develop their sea legs in unfamiliar waters and consider dropping anchor in U.S. markets.

But SkyDrive, a Tokyo-based aero-tech start-up, might offer the most intriguing product of the bunch.

Since 2018, in Japan, SkyDrive has been developing electric vehicle take-off and landing vehicles, or EVTOLs, along with cargo-carrying drones, William Fugate, SkyDrive’s U.S. business development manager, told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet from his Beaufort office.

It all may sound like something out of the 1982 science fiction movie “Blade Runner,” which featured fictional flying cars.

But SkyDrive has already developed a zero-emission, two-seat flying car for real, with vertical take-off and landing capability. It’s the only company in Japan, it says, that’s successfully conducted manned test flights. It’s now in the process of getting its latest model certified by Japan regulators. It plans to unveil that model in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. Commercial sales could follow in 2026.

“People,” Fugate says, “don’t realize how fast it’s coming.”

SkyDrive is one of about 100 firms involved in the research and development of EVTOLs worldwide, says Fugate, and “we’re kind of Japan’s foothold in that market.”

How quickly the flying vehicles enter the air space will depend on infrastructure such as landing areas, electric charging stations, air traffic management, FAA approval and other aspects, says Fugate, and those are the types of issues it’s investigating from its new office in Beaufort.

One of the biggest drivers of the flying vehicles, Fugate says, is the Biden administration’s goals to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

“It will create a lot of jobs,” Fugate says, “once these ecosystems are in place.”

Future models eventually could be manufactured in the United States, he says.

For now, SkyDrive hasn’t committed to setting up operations in Beaufort.

But the hope is that once companies like it experience the services offered through the Southern Carolina Landing Pad program, and get a taste of life in the Lowcountry, it will position Beaufort County well when future decisions are made on investments, such as where to locate headquarters and research and development or manufacturing facilities, creating new jobs and tax bases.

“We think if we treat people well,” says John O’Toole, executive director of Beaufort County Economic Development Corp., “they will fall in love with Beaufort.”

The Southern Carolina Landing Pad is a collaboration between Beaufort County Economic Development, the city of Beaufort, the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance and others.

The mission of the program is to assist companies from around the world that are considering investing in the region for the first time.

First, a free physical location is provided where companies can “land” — the second-floor offices at 500 Carteret St. for up to 90 days — as they explore local markets or transition into them.

Through the program, local economic development and city officials also work with the companies on a host of issues that can be overwhelming in a new market. They include connecting them with experts who can discuss legal, tax, accounting, human resources and other issues.

“Any question they will want answers to,” O’Toole says, “we’ve got firms to step up and offer pro bono services.”

SkyDrive is the first company to take advantage of the Landing Pad, which Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray calls “pretty darn exciting.”

“It’s a very cool company,” Murray says.

The Landing Pad is a place where international firms can establish a presence and build confidence in the region before making significant investments, says Murray. The coastal city of 13,400, he says, is working to attract “advanced manufacturing” companies that create “primary jobs,” and the Landing Pad is an important tool in the effort to diversify the economy.

“It sets us apart from a lot of other areas,” he says.

Up until now, SkyDrive has focused on the domestic market in Japan. It’s already selling drones that can transport cargo. The company is in the research and development phase of EVTOL aircraft. Now that it has what it considers to be a globally viable product, Fugate says, it’s broadening its focus to international markets with its initial focus on the United States.

Today, most of the EVTOL market is developing what Fugate describes as larger aircraft vehicles that could travel between cities. He compares them to buses. SkyDrive is taking a more conservative approach and developing smaller vehicles — he likens them to taxis — that could be used within a city. Pilots would taxi passengers with the means to pay for the convenience and speed. It would be kind of like booking an Uber driver, he says, possibly even using a phone app.

When he first learned of the flying cars, Charlie Stone, a BCED project manager, says he immediately thought of the “Jetsons,” the 1960s animated cartoon in which the family’s mode of transportation was a flying sports car.

But SkyDrive isn’t the only international company producing interesting products that is interested in landing in Beaufort.

BCED officials have also had conversations with representatives of a company from Sweden that makes electric trucks, an autonomous delivery car manufacturer based in Estonia, and a Great Britain battery manufacturer with offices in Toronto, about using the Land Pad services.

BCED officials also are talking to a Finnish electric vehicle automotive supplier. “I think it’s a pretty dang good lead for us,” Stone says of the company, “and they seem interested.”

Skydrive’s Fugate connected with the BCED officials through the Japan External Trade Organization, a Japanese government-related organization that promotes trade and investment relations.

Fugate came over from Japan to Beaufort and met with local officials on a scouting mission. Fugate is originally from the U.S. but has lived in Japan for 30 years.

“They exceeded all of our expectations in almost every way,” he said of the Landing Pad.

He returned to Japan and presented the idea to the board of directors, which includes investors such as Suzuki Motor Corporation, the Japanese multinational corporation.

“I’ve been given the green light to start building our office here and that’s why I’m here now,” Fugate says.

The firm’s entrance into the U.S. market will be through Beaufort or the surrounding area, he says.

When Fugate arrived, he found the flag of Japan, with its distinctive red circle on a white backdrop, hanging on the wall, along with the stars and stripes.

“It’s a great town,” Fugate says.

This story was originally published September 3, 2022 6:00 AM.

Board denies request for variance to protect massive live oak

By Tony Kukulich

For the second time in recent months, a tree is at the center of efforts by Port Royal residents to squash, or at least alter, a development project.

At least for the moment, those efforts appear to have been successful.

Residents packed council chambers Thursday, Sept. 1, as Johnson Development Associates (JDA) asked the Town of Port Royal Design Review Board for a building variance. The requested variance would allow JDA to construct three-story apartment buildings as part of a development project tentatively planned for 2900 Oak View Drive. The town’s building codes allow a maximum of two-and-half stories.

“In order to meet the density required to make the development worthwhile for our purposes, we are requesting a waiver to go to three stories,” said Anders Ike, a JDA spokesperson.

Ike added that if the town did not issue the requested waiver, the development project would probably not be feasible.

Despite the statement from the developer, the board denied the request.

While still in the early design phase, the project as presented would include an estimated 200 apartments and six town houses on a 12-acre site. The apartments would average about 1,000-square feet. All units will be available for rent.

There is, however, one significant sticking point. The selected development site is home to what is believed to be the largest and oldest live oak in Beaufort County, the Ellis Cherry Hill Plantation live oak. Additionally, the 1818 grave of Mary Pope, an enslaved woman, is located at the base of the tree. The Baptist Church of Beaufort, where Pope was a member, maintains the gravesite to this day.

“We understand that the population is very concerned about the tree within the area,” Ike said. “The heritage oak is a key focal point of our site development. The plan there is that we would allow public access to that tree to make it accessible to the Port Royal community. I don’t think it’s currently accessible, and it is quite impressive.”

Master arborist Michael Murphy explained that the Ellis Cherry Hill Plantation live oak was documented in 2009 as part of an effort to locate a tree that might have been alive when the City of Beaufort was founded in 1711. He estimated that it was 350 years old. This particular live oak was selected as the 2013 TreesSC Heritage Tree of the Year.

Rivaling the well known Angel Oak in Charleston County in size, Beaufort County’s giant is 113.75 inches in diameter with a circumference of just more than 30 feet. It stands 55 feet tall and has a 114-foot spread. Despite its great size, it became apparent to Murphy that part of the tree was missing.

“The tree is magnificent,” Murphy said. “If you’ve ever seen it, you know it’s big. When you do go to look at it, you can see that one side has been damaged, seriously damaged. What we found out from people that lived around there was that half this tree blew apart in Hurricane Gracie in 1959.”

Murphy further noted that the Angel Oak stands on 35.7 acres of protected land. If the JDA plan moves forward in its current form, the Ellis Cherry Hill Plantation live oak would have a 0.107-acre plot preserved for its support.

“It’s totally insufficient, especially since there would be so much collateral damage,” Murphy told The Island News. “That whole property would be regraded, and dug out and have top soil removed. That 12-acre site was going to be decimated for the benefit of the project, and the tree would be sitting on this tiny, postage stamp sized footprint.”

More than a dozen in attendance, many from the nearby Pinckney Retreat neighborhood, spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. In addition to concerns over the preservation of the Ellis Cherry Hill Plantation live oak, residents were worried about a variety of development impacts including: traffic, storm-water drainage, light pollution, the fate of more than 30 other heritage trees on the site and the possible presence of other unmarked graves in the area.

The board had a brief discussion following public comments and subsequently voted unanimously to deny JDA’s request for a waiver on the two-and-half story limit.

At this point, the future of the JDA project is uncertain. JDA did not respond to a request for comment.

Tony Kukulich is a recent transplant to the Lowcountry. A native of Wilmington, Del., he comes to The Island News from the San Francisco Bay Area where he spent seven years as a reporter and photographer for several publications. He can be reached at [email protected]

LowcoSports.com

The Beaufort High Eagles couldn’t wait to be back on their home field Friday night. It took just one snap of the ball for the packed crowd to erupt.

Powered by their home fans, the Eagles jumped on top early with three first-quarter touchdowns to open their home schedule with a 24-7 victory over a flu-depleted Hilton Head Island squad.

“Our guys executed really well early on,” Beaufort head coach Bryce Lybrand said. “I’m proud of them for coming out and doing the things we ask them to do.”

The Eagles didn’t waste any time, scoring on the first play from scrimmage thanks to a little trickery. Quarterback Samari Bonds took the snap and gave it to Kacy Fields before the ball reversed to electric senior Colton Phares, who turned on the jets — and electrified the crowd — on a 59-yard touchdown run.

“Everybody’s worried about Kacy Fields because he’s such a great player,” Lybrand said. We knew that if we got it going that way with him, they’d run with him. We were able to get Colton on the outside and he made a great play.”

Phares was right back at it on the defensive side, making a key tackle to help stymie Hilton Head Island’s rushing attack. Beaufort got it right back and found the end zone again thanks to some brilliance from its sophomore quarterback. Bonds showed off some quickness with his legs, making defenders miss to reach the Hilton Head Island 24 before he threw a quick slant to the senior wideout Fields, who sped to the goal line for a 14-0 lead.

The Beaufort defensive front continued to dominate in the trenches, as a host of Eagles stopped Owen Bayes behind the line of scrimmage to force a three-and-out. Then Caleb Ulmer showed off his moves on a breathtaking 23-yard run, taking the first snap of the ensuing Beaufort High drive, cutting to the left side of the field, and using his power and quickness to outrun his defenders to the pylon for a 21-0 advantage. Ulmer and a determined offensive line continued to dominate in the ground game, and Bonds converted a key third-down pass to tight end Michael Dennison that led to a 19-yard Beck Schwerin field goal.

Despite a second Phares touchdown thatwas called back on an illegal block in the back penalty on a punt return, the Eagles were cruising into halftime on Lady’s Island with a comfortable lead, and with the Seahawks’ roster ravaged by flu this week, the teams agreed to 8-minute quarters in the second half if the point spread reached 21.

Hilton Head Island got its offense going in the abbreviated third quarter, scoring on an eight-play, 68-yard drive thanks to some strong running from Troy Timko and a beautifully executed 33-yard quarterback keeper from Bayes to cap it off. The Seahawks fought hard until the final snap with limited players available, but Beaufort High used its strong blocking and the speed of Fields to salt away the rest of the clock and finish off its first home win of the season.

Bonds put together a strong game under center, completing 4 of 8 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown while adding 22 yards on four carries. Phares added a 59-yard scoring run while bringing his unbeatable hustle to the defensive side of the ball, and Fields added two receptions for 40 yards and a TD. Timko fought hard at running back, posting 31 yards on 15 carries and adding a reception for three yards against a strong Beaufort defense.

Beaufort High (1-1) will be home again on Friday to battle Goose Creek, while Hilton Head Island (1-2) stays on the road to face Wilson.

Friday’s Lowcountry High School Football Schedule

All games at 7:30 p.m.unless otherwise noted

Ashley Ridge at Colleton County

Ben Lippen at Hilton Head Christian

Calhoun Academy at Patrick Henry

Colleton Prep at Cross Schools

Edisto at Estill

Goose Creek at Beaufort

Greenwood Christian at Beaufort Academy

Hilton Head Island at Wilson

John Paul II at Memorial Day

May River at Ridgeland-Hardeeville

Savannah Christian at (Ga.) at Battery Creek

St. Andrews (Ga.) at Hilton Head Prep, 5 p.m.

St. Johns Christian at Thomas Heyward

Wade Hampton (H) at CA Johnson

Whale Branch at Baptist Hill

Wes Kerr is a graduate of Hilton Head Island High School and Davidson College. He writes and hosts podcasts for LowcoSports and contributes to other outlets, including PrepRedZone

A new Ace Hardware, one of the nation’s leading hardware brands, has opened in a Port Royal shopping center in need of “TLC” and it’s offering more than home improvement merchandise on its shelves.

Port Royal Mayor Joe DeVito believes the store will be a “catalyst” for additional change at the shopping center along Ribaut Road.

“The town is absolutely thrilled,” DeVito said, “to have Ace Hardware here in Port Royal.”

When the doors opened Monday, Labor Day, DeVito was among the first customers.

The Port Royal Ace Hardware joins the Piggly Wiggly, West Marine Supply Store, Frank’s Spirits and Wine and Roses Express in the Royal Oaks Shopping Center.

Oak Brook, Illinois-based Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,600 locally owned and operated hardware stores in 70 countries.

The Port Royal store at 1347 Ribaut Road is owned by Gregg Brunson of Beaufort.

The main attraction of the Port Royal location, Brunson told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet, was its proximity to the population center of Beaufort and Port Royal.

“If you look at Beaufort and Port Royal from the aerial view, that’s the largest population center along that stretch,” Brunson said. “Plus, it was an under-served area from a hardware standpoint because people had to drive so far.”

The shopping center site, Brunson said, needed “a little TLC” but had big potential.

“And I knew the town of Port Royal would be supportive in making that shopping center look a lot better,” Brunson said. “It’s a more welcoming gateway to the town of Port Royal than what was currently there.”

Brunson and his business partner own Brunson Construction Co., an Ace Hardware in Hampton and now the Port Royal Ace Hardware.

To make way for the Port Royal Ace store, an old satellite bank building was torn down. A tanning salon and liquor store also needed to be moved.

The tanning salon relocated. And Brunson and his business partner purchased the liquor store, reopening a new store called Frank’s Spirits and Wine. The business partners also own a Frank’s Spirits and Wine on Boundary Street in Beaufort.

Ace Hardware stores are known for being independently owned and operated.

A 2015 story in Forbes magazine said the success of the Ace brand is built on entrepreneurs with knowledge of local markets, inventories geared toward a neighborhood’s demographic and superior customer service.

Brunson and his partner showed their knowledge of the Lowcountry in both the location they chose for the store and the merchandise they are selling.

Besides hardware, the Port Royal Ace Hardware is selling sporting goods including hunting and fishing merchandise.

“I had so much demand for it,” Brunson said of the sporting goods, “we decided to add it.”

Lowe’s Home Improvement in Beaufort is only a mile away. But Brunson knew the unusual geography of Beaufort and Port Royal, divided by water and marshland, actually made it a 10- to -15-minute drive.

“If you are a crow you can fly across the river,” Brunson said, “but if you’re in a car you need to drive all the way around.”

The Port Royal Ace Hardware is the third Ace in Beaufort County — the others are in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island — and employs 20 people.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

This story was originally published September 8, 2022 2:43 PM.