GEORGETOWN — County leaders have launched a new website to support the Port Redevelopment Master Plan, giving residents a central place to follow the planning process and submit comments directly to the consulting team developing the plan.
Public engagement moves online — and to an in-person forum
The website, made available by Georgetown County Economic Development, includes background on the planning process, a schedule of past and upcoming steps, and an online form that routes public comments to the consultant team. Officials say the site is intended to make the process more transparent and to broaden opportunities for input.
A public meeting has also been scheduled for Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Howard Centre, 1610 Hawkins St., across from International Paper. The county described the event as interactive: it will begin with an update on the planning process and continue with breakout groups so attendees can focus on specific topics of interest.
"The site gives the public a place to follow the master planning process and share ideas about the port’s future," the county said in materials announcing the portal.
Consultant team, studies already under way
Georgetown County selected Seamon Whiteside and Associates, a Mount Pleasant consulting firm, to lead the master plan. The firm was chosen from 17 respondents to the county’s request for proposals. According to the county, work is already underway and includes engineering studies of the port’s existing infrastructure.
Those studies are a common early step in major redevelopment plans: they assess the condition of docks, berths, utilities and other assets to inform options for future uses, investment needs, cost estimates and timelines. The county’s notice did not publish study findings; it notes only that engineering work is currently in progress.
How residents can take part
- Visit the Port Redevelopment Master Plan website to review information and submit comments online.
- Attend the Oct. 22 public meeting at the Howard Centre for an in-person update and breakout sessions.
- Submit written feedback through the website to ensure comments are shared with the consulting team.
The county emphasised that the online submissions are shared directly with the consulting team tasked with developing the master plan. That direct route is intended to ensure public ideas and concerns are considered as early planning work progresses.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consulting firm | Seamon Whiteside and Associates (Mount Pleasant) |
| Public meeting | Oct. 22, 6 p.m., Howard Centre, 1610 Hawkins St. |
| Website | Portal for process information and online comment form (announced by county) |
Why it matters
Port redevelopment projects can reshape local economies, land use patterns and transportation networks. While the county has not released specific redevelopment options or timelines, early engineering assessments and public input phases set the direction for subsequent technical work and financial planning. By opening an online portal and scheduling an interactive meeting, county officials are signalling an intent to gather community perspectives before moving to detailed design and implementation.
For residents, the window to influence outcomes tends to be strongest during these early stages. Comments submitted now will inform the consulting team’s understanding of local priorities, constraints and opportunities as they prepare draft recommendations for future rounds of review.
The county materials encourage residents to use the website or attend the Oct. 22 meeting to present ideas or concerns. The online portal is positioned as both a transparency measure and a convenient means of participation for those who cannot attend in person.
Further details and the online comment form are available through the county’s Port Redevelopment Master Plan website.
