Opening of industrial park near Bluffton Parkway expected to create over 150 jobs

An industrial park opening in Bluffton is expected to generate more than 150 new jobs.

Situated between Target and the Beaufort County administrative center in Bluffton sits the Myrtle Park Business Suites, two buildings with large bay doors offering 60,000 square feet for industrial operations. Notably, 90% of the space has already been leased.

Early indications show that 150 to 165 jobs will be created with the currently leased space alone, said John O’Toole, executive director at Beaufort County Economic Development Corp.

“But what really excites us,” said O’Toole, “with 90% of it being leased quickly, that sends a signal to the investment community that this kind of space, this kind of development is more than viable in Beaufort County.”

Beaufort County bought the land in 2019 with the goal of economic development and job creation. The County Council approved the purchase and partnership with CS Properties in Bluffton for the development of the industrial park.

Originally anticipated to open in the fall of 2022, the site’s development saw a few delays, mostly related to covid and supply chain issues. It doesn’t have a new opening date yet, but it’s “imminent,” according to O’Toole.

One future tenet, the Freedom Boat Club,a membership club with over 300 locations across the world that gives unlimited access to clubs fleet of boats, already has its name on the door.

This will be the boat club’s third location in Beaufort County, with the first two being on Hilton Head Island and in Port Royal. They’ll rent out 9,000 square feet for a boat service and sales center.

Freedom Boat Club of Hilton Head CEO Cassius Mullen said the location is still about a month or so from being ready to open. In the meantime, about a third of its space is being converted into office space.

While a fair distance from waterways, the location in Bluffton provides the benefit of an indoor space to work on boats, said Mullen.

The somewhat secluded nature of the park is a major benefit for the working being done there, said O’Toole.

“As you can imagine in downtown Port Royal or in certain parts of Hilton Head, you know, having boats up on the scaffolding and taking engines apart aren’t really a good fit,” said O’Toole. “So it’s better to have places like this where you can do some of that heavier work. Sometimes the sausage making is unsightly.”