Bluffton Honored
Our Town continues to earn recognition for exceptional governance and community-focused initiatives. These accolades reflect Bluffton ' s balanced approach to growth and responsible planning.
Safety Excellence
Bluffton earned the # 1 Safest South Carolina City ranking from both Safewise. com and Home Security Advisor in 2024.
The Bluffton Police Department( BPD)
BPD became the first law enforcement agency in South Carolina to employ a full-time Community Mental Health Advocate in 2021. This position bridges the gap between policing and mental health services, ensuring residents in crisis receive proper care.
This approach to mental health earned BPD the Municipal Association of South Carolina( MASC) Achievement Award for public safety innovation.
Community Development
Bluffton ' s investments continue to garner statewide recognition:
The Neighborhood Assistance Program earned a 2023 MASC Achievement Award for its approach to housing stability. The program provides " safe & dry " repairs for income-qualified residents. Wright Family Park earned accolades in 2021, celebrating the Town ' s vision in creating public waterfront access while preserving a historic structure. The rehabilitation of the Garvin-Garvey House in 2018 preserved the only freedman ' s cottage on the May River, earning five preservation awards. The Wharf Street Redevelopment Project demonstrated that affordable housing can be both beautiful and centrally located. Southern Living Magazine named it " Best Community Revitalization " project.
Financial Strength
Moody’ s Investors Service upgraded the Town of Bluffton’ s bond rating to“ Aaa, aka triple-A” elevating the Town’ s credit rating to the highest rating for a municipality. The Town of Bluffton is the fifth municipality in South Carolina to achieve this status— joining Hilton Head Island, Charleston, Mt. Pleasant and Greenville.
Environmental Leadership
As development pressures increase, the Town of Bluffton has established itself as a regional leader in environmental stewardship: The Post & Courier highlighted Bluffton as " one of South Carolina ' s first local governments to adopt wetland regulations." The Island Packet recognized Bluffton ' s " first-of-its-kind local ordinance " to protect wetlands when state and federal regulations do not.
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