Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
Lisa Sulka was elected mayor of the Town of Bluffton in 2008. She is on the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton’s Advisory Board and is Honorary Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Classic Foundation. Sulka answers questions from Monthly about upcoming projects in the town and her favorite spots in Bluffton to relax. The responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Bluffton is booming. The town has grown from one square mile when it was first incorporated to 54 square miles today. The town’s development exploded, bringing business and families to the Lowcountry — and it gave Bluffton its own identity.
The growth continues and makes Bluffton one of the prime destinations in the South.
1. LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK: An attraction for all ages, the park includes walking trails, a boardwalk and The Sandbox Children’s Museum. A main attraction is the large, reimagined Adventure Playground Ship.
There’s no question there was significant human activity BY EDWARD THOMAS on Hilton Head Island during the pre-recorded history of North America 4,000 or more years ago. The mysterious shell rings from that era, preserved today in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Green Shell Park off Squire Pope Road, are testament to that fact.
When Captain William Hilton arrived in 1663, this 12-mile-long coastal island was occupied by a native tribe called Escamacu. They were part of the Cusabo Confederacy of Tribes that inhabited land up and down the nearby coastline.
Marc Orlando has served as manager of the Town of Hilton Head since February. Orlando, who previously served as Bluffton’s town manager, oversees about 250 employees.
John McCann has been mayor of the Town of Hilton Head since 2018. He is past president of Port Royal Plantation and past chair of the Technical College of the Lowcountry Foundation. McCann answers questions from Monthly about the U.S. 278 Corridor Project and his favorite spot of relaxation on Hilton Head Island. The responses have been edited for length and clarity.
ENJOY THE WONDER OF ALL THAT OUR AREA OFFERS
The Lowcountry is teeming with natural beauty, adventures, history, shopping and fantastic weather. A relaxed pace offers peace of mind and
a wonder of possibilities. Simply, it’s a great place to live. Hilton Head, Bluffton, fast-growing Hardeeville and Daufuskie Island represent thriving communities that offer award-winning beaches, dinning and accommodations. Why the Lowcountry? Why not? Our area offers almost everything and continues to treat us with new wonders.
CHIP
Age: 1 year old
Gender: Male
Weight: 17 pounds
Breed: Miniature pincher mix
Temperament: He’s a smart sweet boy with a lot of energy. Gets along with all.
Michael Czymbor has been manager of the City of Hardeeville since 2015. Czymbor has more than 30 years of experience in local government.
CITY AMONG FASTEST GROWING IN THE LOWCOUNTRY
The City of Hardeeville, founded in 1911, is among the fastest-growing cities in the Lowcountry. Its population estimate grew 120 percent from 2010-2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city’s population is expected to surpass 30,000 people in the next 10 years, officials say. It now encompasses 56 square miles and continues to grow. Hardeeville’s growth offers visitors an opportunity to experience a multitude of activities.
