Georgetown County launches website for Port Redevelopment Master Plan, seeks public input

Georgetown County Economic Development has launched a new website(opens in new tab) for the Port Redevelopment Master Plan, giving residents a place to follow the project and share their ideas about the future of the Port of Georgetown.

The site includes information about the master planning process, past and upcoming steps and an online form for submitting public comments. Comments are shared directly with the consulting team developing the plan.

Residents can also give input in person at a public meeting Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Howard Center, 1610 Hawkins St., directly across from International Paper. The interactive meeting will begin with an update on the planning process, followed by breakout groups where attendees can dig into the topics that interest them most.

The county selected Seamon Whiteside and Associates, a Mount Pleasant consulting firm, from 17 respondents to lead the master plan. Work is already underway, including engineering studies of the port’s existing infrastructure.

“We’re very excited about getting our community involved,” said Economic Development Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle. She said the county takes its stewardship of the port seriously, noting that it is publicly owned property and that it holds significant history for the community.

Robertson-Slagle emphasized that a master plan is not a development plan. Instead, it will give county leaders information about the property’s highest and best use, its infrastructure and its environmental conditions to guide future decisions.

“I want to make sure that this is truly a legacy project,” she said.

Residents who want to learn more or comment can visit gtcountysc.gov/portmasterplan(opens in new tab).