Business News

Cobb Group joins William Raveis
The Cobb Group, led by Allison Cobb, has joined William Raveis Real Estate as the company expands its presence in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton markets.
The group includes Natalie Burnside, George Cobb and David Hussey and serves buyers and sellers throughout the Lowcountry. The team has more than 30 years of combined real estate experience.
The Cobb Group will continue operating from its office in Moss Creek Village, 1533 Fording Island Road, Suite 318, while gaining access to William Raveis’ marketing, technology and referral network.
“William Raveis gives us the combination we were looking for: the ability to remain local and personal while being connected to a much larger network,” Cobb said.

William Raveis has South Carolina operations in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Charleston, Greenville and Clemson.

First Presbyterian Day School names executive director
First Presbyterian Day School on Hilton Head Island has named Ashley Parks its new executive director.
Parks relocated to the Lowcountry from Asheville, North Carolina, in April and has a background in early childhood education, leadership and teacher development.
She holds a Master of Arts in early childhood education and a master’s certificate in early childhood education emergent inquiry from East Tennessee State University. She has also studied the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education and served as an adjunct instructor at several postsecondary institutions.

First Presbyterian Day School has served Hilton Head Island families since 1984.

Collins Group Realty donates $15,000 to nonprofits
Collins Group Realty marked its 200th home sale of 2026 by donating a total of $15,000 to three local nonprofit organizations.
The Sandbox Children’s Museum, Coastal Discovery Museum and Island Recreation Center will each receive $5,000 through the company’s annual 200th Home Sale for Charity Giveaway.
The company said it randomly selected the three recipients by placing the names of eligible organizations into a fishbowl and drawing the winners.

“Once we get to 200 closed transactions of families that we’ve served in this community, we just want to have the opportunity to support the community that supports us,” broker and owner Chip Collins said.
This is the eighth year the company has held the charitable giveaway. The program is expected to return in 2027.

BJWSA welcomes new board member
Jessie A. White has joined the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority board of directors following an appointment by Gov. Henry McMaster.
White attended her first regular meeting as a voting member Sept. 24. She is a senior attorney with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project.

White earned bachelor’s degrees in environmental thought and practice and psychology from the University of Virginia and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Her professional work has included issues involving wetlands, water quality, land use and coastal environmental protection.
BJWSA provides water and wastewater services through approximately 75,000 connections in Beaufort and Jasper counties.

Chase opens Bluffton branch, plans three more
Chase has opened its first branch in the Hilton Head Island area at 15 Towne Drive in Bluffton’s Belfair Towne Village and plans three additional area locations in 2027.
The new branch is led by manager Nick Johnson and includes relationship bankers and financial specialists. Services include full-service banking, digital tools, a drive-through ATM and private meeting spaces.
Chase said it plans two branches on Hilton Head Island and one in Hardeeville. The next is expected to open at 2 Lafayette Place on Hilton Head Island by spring 2027.

Coffee Roasters plans ribbon cutting for second location
Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters will hold a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Oct. 16 for its second shop, at 38C New Orleans Road, Suite 101.
The shop had a soft opening in June. The company’s original roastery and espresso bar is on Cardinal Road.
The New Orleans Road location includes expanded seating and a retail area selling roasted coffee beans, local honey, books, mugs, apparel and other merchandise.
The company said the expansion follows five years of operation at its original location and continued growth of its wholesale business.
For information, visit HiltonHeadCoffee.com or email Susannah@hiltonheadcoffee.com.

LiveOak Fiber begins Bluffton network construction
LiveOak Fiber has begun construction of a fiber-optic internet network in Bluffton, marking the company’s expansion into South Carolina.
The company said the project is expected to make its service available to more than 10,000 homes and businesses, with the first customers expected to come online in early 2027. Future phases are planned for Hardeeville and neighboring communities.
LiveOak Fiber said neighborhoods will be activated in phases as construction progresses rather than waiting for completion of the entire Bluffton network.
“As Bluffton continues to grow, our residents and businesses need services that grow with us,” Mayor Larry Toomer said. “Having another internet provider in the market gives customers more choices, and competition is generally a good thing.”
Residents can find construction and availability information at www.liveoakfiber.com.

Sea Love launches perfume-blending experience
Sea Love on Hilton Head Island has added a Luxury Perfume Experience to its scent-blending offerings.
The experience allows guests to create a custom perfume by selecting and combining fragrance notes with assistance from the company’s scent stylists. Sea Love already offers experiences involving custom candles, reed diffusers and other fragrance products.
“This experience gives guests the opportunity to create something that truly reflects their personality, memories and style,” co-owner Sarah Brown said.
The Hilton Head location will mark the launch with an event from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 featuring a champagne toast, food and giveaways.
Reservations are available at sealove.com/hiltonhead.

Sea Pines Resort earns workplace certification
The Sea Pines Resort has received Great Place to Work certification for 2026-27.
The certification is based on employee survey responses. According to information provided by the resort, 85% of participating employees said Sea Pines is a great place to work.
The survey considers workplace factors including trust, respect, fairness, pride and belonging.
“Our team is at the heart of everything we do at The Sea Pines Resort, and that’s what makes this recognition especially meaningful,” resort President Steve Birdwell said.

Tri Pointe Homes acquires 60 acres in New Riverside
Tri Pointe Homes has acquired 60.4 acres in Bluffton for a planned 76-home development in the final phase of New Riverside.
The property is near the Palmetto Bluff entrance off New Riverside Road. Preliminary plans call for single-family homes of up to 3,600 square feet, with two- and three-bay garage options. Plans remain under development and may change.
The gated neighborhood is also expected to include trail connections to New Riverside Barn Park.
Tri Pointe said development was expected to begin in September, with home construction planned for late 2027 and sales projected to begin in 2028.
The company operates in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Frederick + Frederick Architects receives Forbes recognition
Frederick + Frederick Architects has been named to Forbes’ America’s Top 200 Residential Architects and Best-In-State Residential Architects lists.
Forbes evaluated more than 18,000 architecture firms nationwide. Factors included architectural design, site and local context, materials, craftsmanship, spatial configuration, technology and environmental considerations.
Jane and Michael Frederick founded the firm in 1989. It specializes in custom homes, additions and renovations, with an emphasis on designing for hot and humid climates.
“Being named among Forbes’ top residential architects is a meaningful honor for our whole team,” founding principal Jane Frederick said.