New VA medical facility breaks ground in Port Royal

Bringing expanded healthcare services and jobs to Beaufort County

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is developing the new community-based outpatient clinic at 1844 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. The facility will replace the existing VA clinic located inside Naval Hospital Beaufort, significantly increasing the space available for medical services and expanding the range of care available to veterans throughout Beaufort County and the surrounding Lowcountry.

The new facility will be operated by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, headquartered in Charleston, which provides healthcare services to veterans across coastal South Carolina and parts of Georgia.

Expanding healthcare access for veterans

Beaufort County has one of South Carolina’s largest concentrations of veterans, reflecting the region’s longstanding military presence, including Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

Approximately 17,000 veterans live in Beaufort County, according to previously reported census estimates.

The existing VA clinic at Naval Hospital Beaufort has limited space and capacity. According to VA planning documents, the current facility is undersized for both existing and projected demand, creating operational challenges and limiting the services that can be provided locally. The new clinic is intended to address those limitations by bringing more healthcare services together in one location.

For area veterans, the expanded facility could mean fewer trips to Charleston or other VA medical centers for appointments, diagnostic services and specialty care.

“We’re investing in facilities that meet Veterans’ needs now and well into the future,” said Scott Isaacks, director and chief executive officer of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, in announcing the project. “Beaufort’s Veterans have been among the most engaged in our health system, and this new clinic represents a major step toward delivering modern, accessible care where it’s needed most.”

A broader range of medical services

Although sometimes described as a new VA hospital, the facility will operate as an outpatient clinic rather than a full-service inpatient hospital.

According to the VA’s environmental assessment, the new clinic is expected to offer an expanded range of healthcare services, including:

• Primary and preventive care: Routine medical appointments, ongoing health management and outpatient treatment.
• Mental health services: Mental healthcare, counseling and related support.
• Specialty medical care: Expanded access to specialized outpatient treatment.
• Audiology: Hearing evaluations and related services.
• Eye care: Vision examinations and other eye-related services.
• Physical and occupational therapy: Rehabilitation services to support mobility, recovery and daily activities.
• Dental services: Dental care for eligible veterans.
• Prosthetics: Services related to prosthetic devices and assistive equipment.
• Laboratory and diagnostic services: Testing and diagnostic support.
• Pharmacy services: Prescription medications and related pharmacy support.
• Telehealth: Technology-enabled appointments and consultations.

The final range of services and operating schedules will be established as the facility approaches completion.

Significant investment and new healthcare jobs

The project also represents a substantial addition to Beaufort County’s healthcare infrastructure.

The VA has awarded a 20-year lease to Vet Med Property LLC for the new facility, which will include approximately 87,777 rentable square feet of medical space and 500 parking spaces.

The total lease contract value is approximately $133.7 million over the agreement’s term, including applicable improvement costs. The project has also been associated with approximately $30.4 million in federal authorization.

Under the development arrangement, the private developer is responsible for constructing the facility, which the VA will lease and operate.

The VA’s environmental assessment anticipates approximately 100 new staff positions once the clinic becomes operational.

Those positions are expected to expand the region’s healthcare workforce, while construction will create temporary employment opportunities and demand for building materials and related services.

The project is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months to construct.

Part of a broader investment in veterans’ healthcare

The Port Royal project is part of the VA’s continuing efforts to modernize medical facilities and expand access to healthcare in growing communities.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System has experienced substantial enrollment growth in recent years, increasing the need for additional clinical space and services throughout its coverage area.

For Beaufort County, the new facility represents both a healthcare expansion and a long-term investment in local infrastructure.

When completed in 2028, the clinic is expected to provide veterans with greater access to medical services close to home while adding healthcare employment and expanding the region’s capacity to serve its military veteran population.