Our October 14 meeting featured our Town Manager and fellow Rotarian Stephen Steese.
He reviewed the growth of Bluffton from one square mile to today's 54 square miles, and from a population of 27,000 in 2020 to 38,000 today.
We have had a 1400% increase in population since 2000 to where we are the 15th largest municipality in South Carolina in population, and 5th in terms of land mass. We are 81% Built out in residential units, and 32% in commercial units.
There are a number of exciting new undertakings in process, including the New Riverside Linear Trail, the Novant and Beaufort Memorial medical facilities at Buckwalter, along with several significant affordable housing projects. In addition, the Town is more aggressively pursuing objectives to improve management of its wetlands.
We have developed significant partnerships with other communities and operate with a philosophy that economic development here does not have to look like everywhere else.
Recent surveys show that 56% of residents consider controlling population growth and development are the most critical issues facing our community. 78% say traffic is a serious problem and 66% are unsatisfied with how the town manages growth and development, yet 82% would rate the overall quality of life in Bluffton as good or excellent.
Regardless of issue, please let us know if something is going on to prevent you from attending our meetings. We have many members who can help, pray, or just call to lift your spirits.
Club Dues Invoices - please submit payment at your earliest convenience. Several Rotarians have outstanding balances from prior invoices - if you are unsure of who you are, please reach out to Don Kensey, Rotary Club of Bluffton Treasurer.
Do you worry about Alzheimer’s? We do not have a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we must find one. Finding a cure starts with you. Every year the CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) Fund gives research grants focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Have you given to the CART Fund this year? The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide “seed” money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of the CART Fund is to encourage exploratory and developmental Alzheimer’s disease research projects within the United States. This is accomplished by providing financial support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. These projects should be distinct from those designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area unless they intend to extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.
If you would you like to donate to the C.A.R.T. fund, please scan the code below:
The Bluffton Rotary Club has a YouTube Channel! You will find previous guest speakers and other fun videos, so be on the lookout for more content in the future. All you have to do is create a YouTube account and subscribe...with 80+ current members, we can do better than eight subscriber's!! Link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TYzr9_xUE8Jfy-lniTt1A
Did you know ClubRunner is now available on your mobile device app store for FREE?!? Once downloaded, use your ClubRunner log-in. This will give you instant access to our member directory, events, news and other important information. Here is a video that highlights some of the features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLu08meAHI&t=12s
