2024-2025 IMPACT REPORT
Presented by Charleston Regional Development Alliance
CRDA brings together an impressive network of business, academic and public-sector partners to create new economic opportunities in our region. Through thoughtful and intentional efforts, this coalition is shaping Charleston’s economic future, helping to ensure we remain a vibrant and livable community.
— Chris Fraser CRDA Board Chair
“ “
THREE DECADES OF POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT
Charleston Regional Development Alliance represents a decades-long, regional commitment to building a diverse, multifaceted economy that benefits everyone within it.
Early on, CRDA’s work focused mostly on filling the job gap left by the closure of the Charleston Naval Base. Today, we are working to attract high-quality jobs and entrepreneurs plus the skilled talent needed to keep our economy humming. We also work collaboratively on initiatives to strengthen our region’s competitive position.
Over the past three decades, the region has seeded numerous high-impact industry clusters. Partners in this effort include the region’s government and academic leaders, engaged board members and advisory groups, and privatesector investors seeking to fuel the future.
This report looks at our region’s key economic achievements and milestones over the past 30 years. In aggregate, they tell a story of resilience and strength. And they clearly showcase the power of a shared vision.
Looking ahead to the next 30 years, we envision Charleston as a thriving hub for innovative companies, talent and entrepreneurs. The steps we collectively take today will set us on a path toward this vision.
Working together, we know we will get there.
38,270
Jobs attracted
Announcements facilitated 320 In new payroll added $1.5 billion In capital investment made $13 billion
Source: CRDA analysis of 2023 LinkedIn data DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?
Charleston ranked #2 among 380+ U.S. Metros for Women in Tech.
Source: “Scoring Tech Talent,” 2023
College graduate retention in the Charleston region is currently 53%.
STRATEGIES HAVE DRIVEN PROSPERITY
The public/private partnership that comprises CRDA has employed 7 key strategies since 1995 with an 8th being deployed this fiscal year.
1995 2000 2005 2010
• Recruit jobs
• Diversify the economy
• Recruit higherwage jobs
• Add technology sector
Regional Economic Development Strategy #1 (M. Ross Boyle)
Regional Economic Development Strategy #2 (M. Ross Boyle)
• Grow wages through clusterbased strategy
• Increase competitiveness
• Build economic prosperity
• Leverage assets to compete globally
• Connect economic, community & workforce development
FORWARD CHARLESTON
2015
2020 2025 2022
and beyond
• Strengthen global competitiveness
• Build thriving industry cluster ecosystems
• Attract highskill talent to support business growth
• Lead safe return to business (COVID)
• Provide information & guidance to regional government & businesses
• Align regional work to promote economic prosperity with opportunities for all
• Companion strategy focused on:
• Industry Clusters
• Innovation
• Talent
• Sustainability
• Catalyze the next wave of regional economic development
• Strengthen local innovation assets
• Establish greater Charleston as an international leader in innovation and a hub for the world’s best companies, talent & entrepreneurs
2024-2025
CRDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CRDA’s governing body is responsible for economic development strategy, bylaws and policies, annual budget, and serving as community ambassadors.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BOARD CHAIR BOARD CHAIR-ELECT
CHRIS FRASER
Principal & Regional
Managing DirectorSouthern U.S. Avison Young
ORGANIZATIONAL ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
REEVES SKEEN Southern Coastal Area Executive First Citizens Bank
JOHNNY CRIBB Berkeley County Supervisor/County Council Chairman Berkeley County
HERB SASS County Council Chairman Charleston County
JONATHAN DAWLEY
President & CEO KION North America
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
LAURA EVANS Partner Burr & Forman
MICA DOLAN President & COO Advanced Technology International (ATI)
RUSS TOUCHBERRY Mayor Town of Summerville
COMMITTEE CHAIR
DAVID HAMILTON SVP | Middle Market Banking SC Huntington National Bank
THOMAS ANDERSON Coastal Division President SouthState Bank
TODD FRIDDLE County Council Chairman Dorchester County
JOSHUA WHITLEY County CouncilDistrict 2 Berkeley County
CHARLES JORDAN, JR. Attorney at Law Moore & Van Allen
JAY BYARS County CouncilDistrict 7 Dorchester County
BRANTLEY MOODY County CouncilDistrict 7 Charleston County
WADE ALLEN President Broker-In-Charge Lee & Associates
NAT BANKS VP of Corporate & Legislative Affairs Human Technologies, Inc. (HTI)
REID BOEHM Senior VP Market Executive Synovus Bank
MARION BULL Director of Business Development Davis & Floyd
DAVID BAGGS Vice President for Development Charleston Southern University
DON BAUS Partner & Charleston Office President Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
JULIETTE BOGUS President & CEO Inspire Agency
CODY BAKER VP of Manufacturing & Business Development Bushy Park
RYAN BENTON Market President United Bank
BEN BRACKETT VP | Division Manager, Charleston Evans General Contractors
JAMES
MICHAEL E. BAKER SVP & Group Manager PNC Bank
RITA BERRY President & CEO Greater Summerville/ Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce
BRYAN Partner Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
ADRIAN CAIN CEO Charleston & Hilton Head Homebuilders Associations
MICHAEL
BRAD CANADAY President & CEO Resonac Graphite America Inc.
CASSIE CHERICHELLO Charleston Regional Director BlueCross BlueShield of SC
WILLIAM COGSWELL Mayor City of Charleston
J. ASHLEY COOPER Shareholder | Managing Partner of Charleston Office Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
AMY CAPLETTE SVP of Quality & Regulatory Affairs Thorne
TUSHAR CHIKHLIKER Shareholder Maynard Nexsen
J. WALKER COLEMAN IV Managing Partner K&L Gates LLP
CHIP CRANE President & CEO Hill Construction
MIKE CARTER CEO eGroup
MARK CLINE CEO Charleston Water System
MARSHALL CONNOR
Asst. VP, Economic Development & Continuing Education Trident Technical College
Partner WebsterRogers, LLP
JAMES CHAVEZ President & CEO South Carolina Power Team
CLINE Vice President Vannoy Construction
JEREMY COOK Partner Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA
DAVIS President & CEO
MELVIN
CLARK
Highland Resources, Inc.
BOBBY CREECH
BRYAN DERREBERRY President & CEO Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
MORRIS ELLISON Partner Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
DONNIE FETNER Business Development Hood Construction Company, Inc.
MARY GARCIA Regional PresidentSC Coastal Market Pinnacle Financial Partners
DANIEL J. DOYLE Senior VP & COO The Beach Company
BOB FEI President & CEO Life Cycle Engineering
HEIDI FINNIFF VP of Commercial Banking First Capital Bank
JAMES GARRETT, JR. Market President Colliers
DAVE ECHOLS President Charleston RiverDogs
SCOTT FENNELL President Fennell Holdings, LLC
ERIN FISHER Senior Manager, Global Engagement Boeing South Carolina
GIBADLO SVP of Development at Brookfield Properties Nexton
DEEPAL ELIATAMBY President Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.
PETER FENNELLY President Bridge Commercial
JAKE FREDERICK Project Executive & Charleston Office Leader BRPH
BRENT
L. ELIZABETH GIBBES Partner Parker Poe
AMIE GRIMES Director of Operational Accounting The InterTech Group
MARY DEAN HALL EVP, CFO Ingevity
TIM HEICHELBECH VP & Division Manager Choate Construction Company
HOFFMAN VP for Communications & Marketing The Citadel
MARKUS GROEGER Senior VP & Technical Plant Manager Robert Bosch
TODD HALLORAN Principal Owner & Governor South Carolina Stingrays
WILL HELMLY President & CEO Home Telecom
JENNY COSTA HONEYCUTT County Council Vice Chair Charleston County
TIM GROW Office Managing Shareholder Elliott Davis, LLC
DAVID HAND President O.L. Thompson Construction Company
JASON HESSBERG Market Executive Fifth Third Bank
HABIB Mayor City of Goose Creek
HAYNIE Mayor Town of Mount Pleasant
LILYN HESTER Head of Southeast Public Affairs Google
WILL
JONATHAN
GREGORY
DANIEL KASSIS GM of New Business & Customer Solutions Dominion Energy
JASON LEE President & CEO REV Federal Credit Union
SHAUN MALIN Regional Manager HRP Associates
TIM KENNEDY President Trident Construction
KEVIN LEE Charleston Regional President Southern First Bank
DEREK J. MATHIS Senior Vice President SunCap Property Group
BRANDON MYERS CEO IMS Solutions Group, LLC
CHRIS NONNEMAN Vice President — Charleston ARCO Design/Build
PETER LAMOTTE President of Strategic Communications Chernoff Newman
HARRY LESESNE President Darla Moore Foundation
COREY MCCLARY Workforce Development Manager Berkeley County Economic Development
JAYSON NORMAN Vice President Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
CASEY LAVIN President Beemok Hospitality Collection
CHRIS MAGALDI Principal | Regional Director Thomas & Hutton
RICK MIXSON President Landmark Construction
PHILLIP PADGETT CFO & VP, Administration SC Ports Authority
PAUL PATRICK Chief of Staff College of Charleston
ROBERT PRATT Commercial Broker Pratt & Co. at RE/MAX Pro Realty
WIL RILEY CEO Charleston Trident Association of Realtors®
TONY POPE Agent State Farm Insurance
BOB QUINN President & CEO South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
MATT ROTH SVP | SC Middle Market Leader Truist
JIM POSDA Principal & Director of Business Development GEL Engineering, LLC
MICKEY RENNER Market President HomeTrust Bank
WILLIAM RUSSELL III Principal Jarrard, Nowell & Russell, LLC
NIALL POWER Senior Director of Charleston Site Charles River Laboratories
ALYSSA RICHARDSON Of Counsel Wyche P.A.
WILL SALTERS Senior Principal Terracon
SCOTT SHARP Regional VP TD Bank MICHAEL SCARAFILE President Carolina One Real Estate
JOSH SORKIN Senior Vice President SAIC
DAVID STENSTRÖM VP, Manufacturing | Charleston Plant Manager Volvo Car USA
RUDY THOMAS Tax Partner Forvis Mazars, LLP
JEFF SPICER Director Wells Fargo
SHANNON STEPHENS Market President United Community Bank
JEFF TRENNING Senior Vice President Bank of America
BRYAN STEFANI Director of Market Operations Aerotek
SCOTT SWARTZWELTER Sr. Director of Operations | Site Lead Elbit Systems of America
JOSH VANSCOY Vice President HITT Contracting Inc.
JONATHAN STEINBERG President Charleston Steel & Metal
GEORGE TEMPLE IV President & COO LS3P
TONY VINCENT VP of Public Relations Berkeley Electric Cooperative
Charleston ranked 14th for economic growth among large U.S. metros in 2023. DID YOU KNOW?
Source: Area Development magazine’s “2023 Leading Metro Locations: Hotspots of Economic Growth”
DAN WHALEN President & Broker-In-Charge
Kiawah Island Real Estate
STEPHANIE YARBROUGH Partner
King & Spalding LLP
STUART WHITESIDE
Principal-In-Charge
SeamonWhiteside
PAMELA WILLIAMS Chief Public Affairs Officer & General Counsel Santee Cooper
LUIZ YAMASHITA Managing Partner
Dunes Commercial Properties
DID YOU KNOW?
There are 65,000 military veterans from all branches of service living in the Charleston region.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Community Survey
2024-2025 ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
A high-level advisory group focused on driving positive actions that enhance the competitiveness of the Charleston region.
DAVID COLE, MD President Medical University of South Carolina
MICHAEL AMIRIDIS President University of South Carolina
South Carolina Wells Fargo
JIM CLEMENTS, PhD President Clemson University
THOMAS ANDERSON, JR. Market Executive
ELC CHAIR
JOSEPH DELEON
President & CEO
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
ANDREW HSU, PhD President College of Charleston
JIMMY STATON
President & CEO Santee Cooper
KEITH FAULKNER President Charleston Southern University
JOHN JANSEN Chief Executive Officer Advanced Technology International (ATI)
O.L. THOMPSON Chief Executive Officer O.L. Thompson Construction Company
ANITA G. ZUCKER Chairperson The InterTech Group
MICHAEL FULLER President & CEO Berkeley Electric Cooperative
KASSIS GM - New Business and Customer Solutions Dominion Energy
GEN. GLENN M. WALTERS President The Citadel
DID YOU KNOW?
HELEN HILL
Chief Executive Officer Explore Charleston
LINDSAY LEONARD
Senior Director for Boeing National Strategy & Engagement
Boeing South Carolina
VICKY WOOD, PhD President Trident Technical College
Charleston is ranked #7 among the nation’s “Best Cities to Start a Career.”
Source: WalletHub’s Best Cities to Start a Career, 2024
DANIEL
CRDA PROFESSIONAL STAFF
The professionals who help drive our Alliance forward.
DAVID T. GINN, CEcD President & CEO
JASON G. BROWN Director, Stakeholder Relations
JAIME CALDWELL Investor Relations Manager
MELISSA C. LEVESQUE Vice President, Strategic Operations | Chief of Staff
JACKI RENEGAR, CERP Director, Research & Business Intelligence
PRENITA MACK, PMP® Business Development Coordinator
MEGAN ANDERSON Vice President, Economic Development
JOE AFFSPRUNG, SCCED Global Business Development Manager
GALINA MAIDUC Operations Manager and Executive Support
COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Our regional partners in building a strong economy.
STEVE DYKES, SCCED, AICP Director of Economic Development Charleston County
JOHN TRULUCK, SCCED Director of Economic Development Dorchester County
JOHN O. WILLIAMS, SCCED Director of Economic Development Berkeley County
TOM KEPPELER Vice President, Marketing & Strategy
JILLIAN BUNTING Marketing Communications Manager
RISING LEADERS PROGRAM
The Rising Leaders Program was designed to develop leaders aligned with CRDA’s mission, add value for CRDA investors through increased engagement, provide exposure and networking opportunities for emerging leaders, and promote diverse perspectives among CRDA’s stakeholders.
What does the Rising Leaders Program provide to participants?
Virtual orientation session with key CRDA team members
Opportunity to attend a select CRDA Board meeting
Attend participant networking events featuring guest speakers
Invitations to CRDA events and quarterly investor briefings
Virtual learning sessions on core economic development topics
LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Minimum of 1 “one-on-one” visit with a member of key CRDA staff annually
Opportunity to participate in 1 or 2 business or talent attraction events, mission trips or tradeshows annually at the invitation of CRDA.* 2 2 1 1
Inclusion in special invitation-only events*
Opportunities to serve as co-host for international visits and/or site selectors*
Minimum 1 visit with CRDA President & CEO per year
Top local executive invited to attend an Economic Leadership Council annual update and Executive Reception
BOARD & COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION
Eligibility to serve on a CRDA Taskforce and/or Special Initiatives Committee
Eligibility for Talent Advisory Council
Opportunity to serve on CRDA Board of Directors (CEO or most senior executive)
Eligibility for election to CRDA Executive Committee
Eligibility to serve on Business Development Advisory Council
Opportunity to serve on Economic Leadership Council
BRAND RECOGNITION
Opportunity for recognition at CRDA events and sponsorship of special CRDA initiatives
Recognition as investor on CRDA website, social media, and in marketing materials
Special recognition at CRDA Leadership Luncheon
Co-branding in special digital marketing pieces
EVENTS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Invitation(s) to Quarterly Investor Briefings
Invitation(s) to exclusive Investor-only events
Invitation to present as subject matter expert at CRDA events*
INFORMATION
Digital subscriptions to News Updates
Investment Announcements
Invitations to sector-specific updates
Opportunity to participate in an Investor Roundtable with CRDA staff
Access to customized market research services*
*Subject to availability ~ $15k: 1-yr term $25k: 2-yr term
CHARLESTON’S TARGET CLUSTERS
CHARLESTON REGION JOB GROWTH, 2013 Q3 - 2023 Q3
NATIONAL JOB GROWTH, 2013 Q3 - 2023 Q3
WHY CLUSTERS MATTER
Economic clusters are groups of related businesses that contribute to a healthy economy.
Well-developed clusters:
• Provide good jobs
• Pay higher wages
• Spawn new technologies that expand the economy
2024-2025 INVESTORS
CRDA is an alliance of private and public organizations working in tandem to spark innovation, sustainability, resiliency, and economic competitiveness for the three-county Charleston region. This year’s investors have joined the movement through their dedicated leadership and financial support of this collaborative vision.
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
Elliott Davis, LLC
Forvis Mazars, LLP
Jarrard, Nowell & Russell, LLC
WebsterRogers, LLP
ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING
Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.
BRPH
Davis & Floyd, Inc.
Dolphin Architects & Builders
GEL Engineering, LLC
HLA Inc.
HRP Associates, Inc.
Life Cycle Engineering
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
LS3P
SAIC
SeamonWhiteside
Terracon
Thomas & Hutton
ATTORNEYS
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Burr & Forman
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA
K&L Gates LLP
King & Spalding LLP
Maynard Nexsen PC
Moore & Van Allen
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Parker Poe
Saxton & Stump
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Wyche P.A.
BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES
Bank of America
Fifth Third Bank
First Capital Bank
First Citizens Bank
First Horizon Bank
First National Bank
HomeTrust Bank
Huntington National Bank
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Pinnacle Financial Partners
PNC Bank
REV Federal Credit Union
Southern First Bank
SouthState Bank
Synovus Bank
TD Bank
Truist
United Bank
United Community Bank
Wells Fargo BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Actalent
Aerotek
Aston Carter
FHI - Supply Chain Labor Solutions
Human Technologies, Inc. (HTI)
MAU Workforce Solutions
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber
CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTORS
ARCO Design / Build
Banks Construction Company
Charleston & Hilton Head Home Builders Associations
Choate Construction
Evans General Contractors
Hill Construction Corp.
HITT Contracting Inc.
Hood Construction Company, Inc.
Landmark Construction
O.L. Thompson Construction Company
Trident Construction
Vannoy Construction
Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
CONSULTING
Ingenics Consulting P3 USA Inc.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Charleston Southern University
Clemson University College of Charleston
Lowcountry Graduate Center
The Citadel
Trident Technical College
University of South Carolina
FOUNDATION
The Darla Moore Foundation
2024-2025 INVESTORS
GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES
Berkeley County
Charleston County
Dorchester County
City of Charleston
City of Goose Creek
City of North Charleston
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Summerville
HEALTH CARE
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Trident Health
HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT
Beemok Hospitality Collection
Charleston RiverDogs
Daniel Island Golf Club
Francis Marion Hotel
South Carolina Stingrays
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Benefitfocus
eGroup
IMS Solutions Group, LLC
Soteria LLC
INSURANCE
BlueCross BlueShield of SC
State Farm Insurance - Tony Pope
INVESTMENT HOLDINGS
Fennell Holdings, Inc.
The InterTech Group
LIFE SCIENCES
Charles River Laboratories
MANUFACTURING
AstenJohnson, Inc.
Boeing South Carolina
Charleston Steel & Metal
Elbit Systems of America
Ingevity
KION North America
Mankiewicz Coatings
Resonac Graphite America Inc.
Robert Bosch LLC
Thorne
Volvo Car USA
MARITIME
Charleston Branch Pilots Association
Maritime Association of South Carolina
South Carolina Ports Authority
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Chernoff Newman
Explore Charleston
Inspire Agency
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
Avison Young
Bridge Commercial
Bushy Park
Carolina One Real Estate
CB Richard Ellis
Charleston Trident Association of Realtors®
Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic
Colliers
Cushman & Wakefield
Darby Development
Dunes Commercial Properties
Highland Resources, Inc.
Lee & Associates - Charleston
Mainline Development Partners
NAI Charleston
Navy Yard Charleston
Nexton
Pratt & Co. at RE/MAX Pro Realty
Raven Cliff Company, LLC
South Street Partners
SunCap Property Group
The Beach Company
WestEdge
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Advanced Technology International (ATI)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
AT&T
Home Telecom
UTILITIES & ENERGY
Berkeley Electric Cooperative
Carolina Gas Transmission
Charleston Water System
Dominion Energy
Santee Cooper
South Carolina Power Team
DID YOU KNOW?
Charleston is the fastest-growing life sciences metro hub in the country.
Source: CommercialCafe ranking 2018-2022