Strategic Action Plan Drives Progress Forward

September 2025

As Hilton Head Island continues to grow and evolve, the Town is focused on accomplishing the strategic goals outlined in our Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2028 Strategic Action Plan. Since hosting a successful two-day workshop in February and another one this past June, the plan has remained a living document and was revised based on feedback from me, Town Council, and the community. It's the roadmap that will guide us for the next three years as we work to improve quality of life on the island.

I would like to personally thank our Town Manager, Marc Orlando, for his leadership in developing it, as well as our Town staff for their efforts in organizing and facilitating these successful workshops.

While we certainly narrowed our focus for the next three years, make no mistake, there is a lot of work to get done. I encourage you to visit the Town's website, hiltonheadisland.gov, to review the finalized plan and for more information on what will happen and when. During the next three years, a total of 67 action items are scheduled for completion. Some of these are continuations from our previous strategic action plan, while others are new initiatives. Here are a few highlights I find particularly exciting:

Protecting Island Character Through Managing Growth.
This strategic goal falls under the Town's Land Management Ordinance (LMO), which can be amended by Town staff to reflect better the island's unique character, culture and environment. A key initiative under this goal is the development of a comprehensive growth management framework specifically designed to guide and manage the Town's future growth. Priorities include the creation of a Greenprint Map to preserve open space and protect natural resources, a Future Land Use Map to align zoning with investment, more collaboration with Beaufort County Council and regional agencies to manage growth, adoption of district plans, and updates to the Town's Municipal Code to address issues that arise from population increases.

Enhance Major Corridors and Streets.
The Town has made significant progress in implementing traffic safety improvements, enhancing accessibility, and strengthening connectivity throughout the Island's major corridors. Ongoing beautification efforts can be observed along Gumtree Road, Mathews Drive, and Squire Pope Road, including paving, signage updates to meet current standards, and the installation of crosswalk signs where necessary. Town staff also recognize the importance of planning for critical infrastructure needs, advancing the William Hilton Parkway Corridor through intergovernmental collaboration, and continuing improvements along Main Street. This goal also includes a feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis of the island trolley and beach shuttle system to better understand the future of public transit in our community.

Reinforce Island Resilience.
One of our top priorities is to reinforce Hilton Head Island's environmental, economic, and community resilience. This is in preparation for any recovery measures needed during severe weather events, flooding, ecological pressures, and natural disasters. By prioritizing resilience, we improve long-term planning. Another angle that contributes to resilience is asking ourselves: What infrastructure does the island already possess, and is there space available in the future to meet the community's needs?

Support Economic Development, Business Recruitment, and Retention.
In 2024, a total of 160 new businesses opened on Hilton Head Island. This includes new health care facilities, recreation, food and beverage establishments, as well as personal and professional services. When seeking to expand the range of options the island can offer, it's essential to consider businesses that would have a minimal physical and environmental impact on our community but would yield high-paying and in-demand jobs. For example, how might we attract high-tech, IT, and cybersecurity industries here? How can we appeal to younger professionals with families to preserve the future and prosperity of Hilton Head Island? I believe now is the time to do what we can to encourage industries that keep current and future generations here.

Again, there's so much more to explore in the new plan, so please consider a deep dive into these as well as the following goals:

• Invest in Stormwater Management Infrastructure
• Enhance Public Safety Readiness and Facilities
• Preserve, Protect and Celebrate Gullah Geechee Culture and Heritage
• Advance Workforce Housing Opportunities
• Protect and Enhance Environmental Sustainability
• Enhance Community Well-being through Implementation of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Program Enhancements

I hope you're as enthusiastic as I am about supporting the vital work underway and future projects on the horizon. In the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, you can count on your Town team to keep you updated on this plan through these articles, the Town's website, e-subscriptions, and by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.