Scott, Wilson urge Homeland Security Secretary to select Beaufort for new Coast Guard training base

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to select Beaufort, South Carolina, as the location for the U.S. Coast Guard's newest training base.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a request for information late last year seeking potential locations to host the new facility.

Senator Scott and Representative Wilson wrote, "Beaufort has proven itself to be a reliable and mission-ready military community. In addition to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, the city is home to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, which trains and graduates thousands of Marines each year. This presence has fostered a community that is well-suited to the needs of military personnel, with the housing, schools, and infrastructure already in place to immediately support Coast Guard families."

They continued, "The city's location places it between two of the nation's most strategically important ports, Charleston and Savannah. Located less than two hours away, Charleston will soon host the Coast Guard's largest homeport, while the Port of Savannah consistently leads the East Coast in container volume. Situated between these two critical hubs, Beaufort is uniquely positioned and prepared to leverage the existing infrastructure and regional connectivity to support the Coast Guard's mission."

The initiative is supported by the Beaufort County Council, Town of Port Royal, City of Beaufort, Town of Bluffton, Town of Hilton Head, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Beaufort County Military Enhancement Committee.

Read the full letter here.

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