Wilson stopped by the port for about 45 minutes Thursday morning after a sausage-biscuit breakfast at Blackstone's Deli and Cafe in Beaufort and a tour of Naval Hospital Beaufort.
"Whatever you identify, we'll be happy to work with you," Wilson told a group of local luminaries assembled at the port, from Port Royal Town Council members to Lowcountry Estuarium representative Bob Bender. "We'll be available."
The visit was part of Wilson's "Real Results" bus tour, which took him through the 10 counties of South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District. Wilson, who also visited Bluffton and Jasper County on Thursday afternoon, continues his bus tour on Hilton Head Island today. Wilson is holding a campaign fundraiser today on Hilton Head that features House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
With members of the town in tow, Wilson toured the still-industrialized Port of Port Royal from his bus, stopping to take in the facility's operations.
Staying aboard the bus to avoid the already stifling heat, Wilson watched a presentation by Town Manager Van Willis on what the town envisions the port redevelopment to be.
The port's transformation into a viable residential and commercial asset is essential to the town's future, Willis told Wilson.
Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill last year mandating that the port be closed by the S.C. State Ports Authority next year.
With the Ports Authority expected to release its vision of the port redevelopment next month, Willis also said that the town is getting numerous requests to buy the property now and develop it as the town's residents have envisioned.
"We get three to four calls a week from people ready to write a check for this property," Willis said.
"That's wonderful," Wilson responded, noting the value of the port's waterfront stretch. "This vista is so beautiful."
After Willis' port presentation, Mayor Sam Murray presented Wilson with a golden key to the town.
"This is my first time receiving a key," Wilson said, adding that he will frame the key and put it up at his Washington, D.C., office. "Bring your families by, and you will see this proudly on display."
After mentioning that he had seen the USS Port Royal on a recent trip to Hawaii, and professing his love for the fare at the nearby Dockside restaurant, Wilson reiterated his support for the town, its growth spurts and its collective hopes for the port.
"I want to be the federal part, to work along with Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham, to do whatever we can do, as a team," he said.
Town Councilwoman Yvonne Butler said she was glad to hear Wilson's support of the town's plans.
"We have got to make sure it's done by what the people want in Port Royal," Butler said.
Also Thursday, Wilson stopped at Jasper's Porch in Ridgeland for lunch, where he met with Jasper County officials.
The congressman offered to help the county in any way during its upcoming Supreme Court battle over the future of a Jasper port on the Savannah River, County Administrator Andy Fulghum said.