1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:08,160 Hello Hanahan. My name is Chrissy Reinwwater and I am blessed to be the 2 00:00:05,279 --> 00:00:14,160 mayor of the city of Hanahan. Welcome to the state of the city address for 2026. 3 00:00:11,519 --> 00:00:19,279 I am so excited to share with you all that we have accomplished in 2025 and 4 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:22,279 also give some sneak peaks to what's ahead. 5 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:39,120 The first thing you've probably noticed is all the beautifification going on 6 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:43,440 downtown. Well, it's not quite beautiful yet, but we're getting there. The 7 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:48,239 construction going on represents new storm water drainage that is happening 8 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:51,039 throughout the downtown area. We're so grateful for that for some flooding 9 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:55,280 issues that we have faced that this should help rectify, but also the 10 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:59,359 beautiful curb, gutter, and landscaping that will now be aligning all the 11 00:00:57,039 --> 00:01:03,520 sidewalks, which will lead you to the really cool new businesses and 12 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:08,960 restaurants that you will find all throughout the downtown area. Well, last 13 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:14,640 year in 2025, we saw an increase of nearly $1 million in business license 14 00:01:12,159 --> 00:01:18,560 revenue. What that means is funding is coming into our budget that is not 15 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:22,960 resting on the shoulders of our homeowners. It's people that are coming 16 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:26,799 to live, work, and play here. So, it might be you. You might be enjoying the 17 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:31,600 quality of life by just driving up the block instead of battling traffic all 18 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:36,079 around Charleston to do your shopping or to eat with your family. But it's also 19 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:41,119 other people from other areas coming into Hanahan to do their shopping and 20 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:45,439 dining as well. Everybody gives a little bit and it contributes to the bottom 21 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:49,200 line which helps save our homeowners money in their pockets. Some other 22 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:55,119 things you will also find in our downtown area and throughout other areas 23 00:01:51,280 --> 00:02:00,079 of Hanahan is our murals popping up. Art brings life and vibrancy. And we're also 24 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:04,240 offering a grant not only for the murals but also for facade. So if there's a 25 00:02:02,159 --> 00:02:09,119 business in our area that is looking for a little facelift, we can help. Now, if 26 00:02:07,119 --> 00:02:12,879 you're a business located in the city of Hanahan, or maybe you're a business 27 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:16,319 owner and you do business in Hanahan and throughout the Low Country, well, we 28 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:20,160 want to make sure that you're invited to our business mixers. We've done those in 29 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:24,959 the past and they're about to ramp back up for 2026. We provide space for 30 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:29,200 everyone to network and share the opportunities that we have to support 31 00:02:26,959 --> 00:02:32,720 fellow people in the city of Hanahan. You can comment below or reach out to 32 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:36,879 the city to make sure you're on the list for that information. Now, addition to 33 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:40,640 our business owners, we have some other people that have gotten heavily involved 34 00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:46,640 in the city of Hanahan through our citizens academy, our very first one 35 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:52,319 that we hosted in 2025. This group of dedicated residents came together every 36 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:57,680 week to do a deep dive into what's behind the curtain. How do we do what we 37 00:02:54,640 --> 00:03:02,159 do to accomplish what we accomplish? I'm so happy that they got to learn more, 38 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:06,159 but also get more involved. So many of them have stepped up to volunteer in 39 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:10,560 different ways and have just cheered our staff and our council along now that 40 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:15,120 they know exactly what really is happening in the city of Hanahan. If you 41 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:20,560 missed out on our first, there's a second class coming in 2026 that you'll 42 00:03:18,159 --> 00:03:25,440 also want to get on the list for if you so wish. Another crosswalk that you will 43 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:31,599 see appear is going to be right in front of City Hall. Our citizen of the year, 44 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:36,560 Caroline Evans, made a suggestion. She attends all of our council meetings and 45 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:41,360 offers great input. After doing really good research, she came to our council 46 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:45,680 and expressed how she felt not as safe as she could as she came to one of our 47 00:03:43,519 --> 00:03:51,440 city council meetings one month and how we can improve that by a crosswalk. I 48 00:03:48,159 --> 00:03:55,280 love how she jumped in with research and positive advocacy to get it done. It's 49 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:58,959 something that can be modeled for everyone throughout the city to continue 50 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:04,000 to make a positive difference in our community. There is also a traffic study 51 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:08,239 that's going to be done on the corner of Yemen's Hall and North Rhett. And of 52 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:12,959 course, we don't own any roads in the city of Hanahan. So, I have to give a 53 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:16,799 shout out to our partners at SE DOT and Berkeley County who are assisting with 54 00:04:14,879 --> 00:04:21,359 all of these things. You're also going to see a lane widening coming up on 55 00:04:18,959 --> 00:04:25,680 Snake Road and a roundabout to get us out of one of our most popular shopping 56 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:30,240 centers where the Lowe's Food is located at the entrance of Tanner. Safety is 57 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:34,240 important. Helping with congestion and infrastructure is important and the city 58 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:38,479 of Hanahan and our partners are working to make life a little easier for each 59 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:43,040 and every resident. One of the most important things we do as your city 60 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:48,160 council and staff is steward taxpayer money. Well, I'm excited to report that 61 00:04:45,759 --> 00:04:51,919 we have a strong fund balance. God forbid there were to be an emergency, 62 00:04:49,759 --> 00:04:56,479 we've got you covered. And just as exciting is our audit. It came back 63 00:04:54,160 --> 00:05:00,880 perfect. So, to know when someone does a deep dive into the city finances and get 64 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:08,160 that result is exactly what you want to hear. Hannah Han's Park and Recreation 65 00:05:03,840 --> 00:05:14,080 Department served 5,143 people throughout our community. That is 66 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:20,080 a broad range of people over ages young and old. One of the most exciting things 67 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:25,440 that happened in 2025 was the opening of Hanahan's newest park, Creekide at 68 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:30,479 Stewart. I'm curious, have you been there yet? Have you enjoyed the kayak 69 00:05:27,759 --> 00:05:35,680 launch, the fishing from the pier, the fireplace in the pavilion, the 70 00:05:32,479 --> 00:05:40,560 all-inclusive park? Whether you're just looking to stroll by for a sunset or a 71 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:45,199 sunrise or looking to take place in one of these activities, we highly recommend 72 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:48,960 you get there if you haven't already. One of the things we're very excited 73 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:54,320 about is the new stadium seating at the Hawks Nest. You can now sit comfortably 74 00:05:51,919 --> 00:05:59,039 as we cheer on all the programs, young and old, that are taking place on our 75 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:04,479 turf field. We also have added something for our furry friends. The dog parks 76 00:06:01,919 --> 00:06:08,319 located there have new shade structures. Or actually, maybe they're more for us. 77 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:12,800 While the dogs run around, we can sit comfortably in the shade. Throughout the 78 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:16,800 year, we had a variety of community events that brought everyone together 79 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:21,440 for all different reasons. One of the highlights was the Hanahan Artisan 80 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:26,560 Farmers Market. We're going to be shifting some dates and times for 2026, 81 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:31,520 so keep an eye out. But the success that we saw from the farmers market in 2025 82 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:35,759 was awesome. From the smiling faces of the families grabbing food to eat to the 83 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:41,759 vendors selling the things that they had personally made, the live music, face 84 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:45,600 painting, petting zoo, and it was free. So getting there and having fun was 85 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:49,680 awesome. Walking away with some items that have now supported our local 86 00:06:47,199 --> 00:06:54,560 vendors, and going home was even better. We invite you to come to our 2026, which 87 00:06:52,479 --> 00:07:00,800 is soon to launch. Hanahan's park and wreck program supported sports for young 88 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:04,960 and old in the city. We also had wreck night where we partnered in with Hanahan 89 00:07:03,039 --> 00:07:09,840 High School to invite our younger kids in to see what our older kids are doing. 90 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:14,479 It's so cool that we funnel that program from our youth sports into the high 91 00:07:12,639 --> 00:07:20,560 school program and continue to partner with them. So, well, our summer camp 92 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:24,560 program was also a hit. The kids got to come every day, go on a variety of field 93 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:30,160 trips, learn different things, and have fun together. It took a whole group of 94 00:07:27,759 --> 00:07:34,479 extra employees to host them and they did such a great job. One of the 95 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:40,880 highlights for this year was the introduction of Hanahan's newest 96 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:46,400 resident, Mohawk. The city now has its own mascot that you will find at all our 97 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:51,680 city events. Be sure to come see him in 2026. Snap a picture, post it online, 98 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:55,599 #mohawk. We're so excited to have him as a part 99 00:07:53,599 --> 00:08:01,360 of our Hannah family. Hanahan loves their seniors and that's 100 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:05,520 because we have the best ones around every time I step foot in the senior 101 00:08:03,199 --> 00:08:10,080 center. They're doing really cool things with big smiles on their faces. If you 102 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:14,080 are over the age of 50, you are welcome to join. Whether using the gym, 103 00:08:11,919 --> 00:08:18,160 participating in their programs, or just having fun with the others around you, 104 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:22,720 we encourage you to get involved because it's one of the coolest places in the 105 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:27,520 city. Speaking of the senior center, that location as well as all of our 106 00:08:24,879 --> 00:08:31,919 others, the amphitheater, our parks and pavilions, they are up for rent. So, you 107 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:35,599 are welcome to check those out and use them for your next event. If you are 108 00:08:34,159 --> 00:08:39,360 interested in renting one of our facilities, you're going to want to jump 109 00:08:37,039 --> 00:08:43,599 over to the city of Hanahan's web page and get more information on there. We 110 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:49,120 love our first responders. We are so grateful for the work of the Hanahan 111 00:08:45,279 --> 00:08:56,000 Fire Department. In 2025, they saw a 13% decrease in volume with 2,818 112 00:08:53,040 --> 00:09:00,000 calls. They saved lives. They got to work. But even more importantly, they 113 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:06,160 did some pretty cool proactive things to help. In 2025, we did see an increase in 114 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:10,640 structure fires. So throughout 2026, we'll have a stronger focus on education 115 00:09:08,560 --> 00:09:15,519 with a campaign on fire safety throughout our communities to help keep 116 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:19,519 you safe. The city of Hanahan's fire marshall has had partnerships with 117 00:09:17,519 --> 00:09:24,720 service master of Charleston as well as the state farm on Remount Road to 118 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:28,560 provide grant funding for smoke alarms. We've received 150 of those to 119 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:33,519 distribute throughout the community to help with safety and it also provides an 120 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:37,760 opportunity for additional education. We have already installed 35 of those in 121 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:41,839 the city of Hanahan and are happy to do more in 2026. So reach out to the city 122 00:09:40,399 --> 00:09:48,320 if that is something that would benefit you and your family. Our firemen are the 123 00:09:44,560 --> 00:09:53,040 best with over 10,000 hours of logged training and they have also had a lot of 124 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:57,360 fun in our community. Did you get to go to the haunted firehouse this past 125 00:09:55,360 --> 00:10:03,519 October? If not, you're going to want to get ready to go in 2026. We had over 200 126 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:07,360 people come through. Not only did they get a scare, but they had a great time 127 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:12,880 and also had an opportunity to learn about fire safety. The program helps the 128 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:16,720 1% firefighter fund. So, in addition to being a blessing to our firefighters, 129 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:21,519 it's also a blessing to the community with everything involved. Continuing 130 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:26,800 with our heroes, we also love our Hanahham police officers. They do such a 131 00:10:24,399 --> 00:10:34,480 great job of community policing, but also being reactive when they need to. 132 00:10:29,519 --> 00:10:40,720 We are up to 32 sworn officers, up from 21 in 2023. That has also allowed for 133 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:45,519 our fulfillment of theou with our drug task force in partnership with Berkeley 134 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:50,320 County. You're going to continue to see awesome community events come from our 135 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:55,600 Hanahan Police Department. This past year, they included the end of school 136 00:10:52,240 --> 00:11:01,040 year bash, the holiday police delivery Christmas outreach program, coffee with 137 00:10:58,399 --> 00:11:05,519 cop events, and our social media has increased by over 2,000 followers since 138 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:09,519 2023. The battle of the badges blood drive 139 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:15,279 between both our heroes, Hanahan Police Department and Hanahan Fire was a 140 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:19,600 success, saving so many lives. So many exciting things happened in 2025. And 141 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:24,720 I've already shared so much that is coming in 2026, but I would be aiss to 142 00:11:22,079 --> 00:11:29,760 not mention the old Hanahan Trail that will be running from West Veco Park to 143 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:34,560 Bishop under the power lines. It's going to be a great spot for exercise, getting 144 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:39,279 from point A to point B, and just enjoying all that Hanahan has to offer. 145 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:44,160 As I close out our state of the city address, the one thing that I want to 146 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:48,240 focus on is the culture in the city of Hanahan. There are so many projects that 147 00:11:46,560 --> 00:11:53,360 we could add and so many things that we could do, but I truly believe that the 148 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:58,079 thing that sets our city apart is the hometown culture, the spirit of having 149 00:11:55,680 --> 00:12:02,640 each other's back, the positivity and the excitement of smalltown America 150 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:06,399 right in our backyard. That is something that we'll continue to focus on as a 151 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:11,440 city council and a staff. But I encourage you as residents to hold tight 152 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:17,200 and to continue to be the awesome people that you are, checking on your neighbor, 153 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:22,480 working together, and making Hanahan the best place in the world. So, God bless 154 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:27,480 you, Hanahan. God bless South Carolina, and God bless the United States of 155 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:27,480 America.