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Residents press Colleton County leaders on jobs, roads, recreation and services
Summary
At a joint meeting Oct. 3, residents and municipal leaders urged more local jobs and workforce training, safer highways, better sidewalk accessibility and quicker progress on community centers. Colleton officials said workforce development and targeted infrastructure remain priorities; the meeting ended with a unanimous adjournment.
Residents used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press county and municipal leaders for clearer plans on jobs, roads, recreation and services.
"What are you doing to improve the City of Walterboro and Colleton County? What major businesses are you bringing here, not just 'ma and pa'?" asked Rev. Jack Lewis, who urged officials to prioritize projects in low‑income and majority‑Black neighborhoods. Chairman Steven Murdaugh responded that workforce development and realistic employer recruitment are priorities and noted county efforts to ready sites and infrastructure for businesses that match the region’s labor pool.
Sheriff Buddy Hill said the sheriff’s office supports a county business registration to help identify nuisance businesses and called for recruitment to fill vacancies in law enforcement, detention and communications. "The Sheriff's office supports this, because it is going to give us the authority to shut down some of the nuisance businesses that we have had over the years," Hill said. He added that deputies are assigned to zones when staffing levels allow and that the office participates in community events and active‑shooter training.
Edisto Beach Mayor Crawford Moore asked the county to consider an ongoing funding commitment for beach nourishment, noting an Army Corps project the town expects will cost about $22 million and that the town’s share could be roughly $7.5 million. "We would like to ask that Council consider starting a conversation around the possibility of moving forward with just such a commitment," Moore said, urging the county to help sustain the beach that supports tourism and local tax revenue.
Road safety and maintenance were frequent concerns. Speakers described Highway 17/17A as especially dangerous and asked when resurfacing would occur. Ed Williams, who said he serves on a transportation committee, said the state had delayed a scheduled repaving and cited supply problems that have shifted start dates; he said a stretch between the river and Walterboro is on the state list but timing has slipped.
Residents reiterated demands for more youth programming and local recreation facilities. Brenda Perkins and others urged progress on a promised community center at the Ivenia Brown site to serve Green Pond and nearby neighborhoods; officials said the design is complete and they are awaiting funding.
Accessibility also drew comment: Leila Williams thanked leaders for beautification projects but said light poles and newly planted trees have been placed in sidewalks in ways that obstruct people using walkers or wheelchairs and asked for design adjustments.
The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn carried unanimously. Dr. Joseph Flowers moved to adjourn and Vice Chairman Phillip Taylor seconded the motion, which the transcript records as carried.
