Charleston | USA A Life Sciences Hub C h a r l e s to n E co n o m i c D e ve l o p m e n t . co m
TABLE OF CONTENTS Discover Charleston • 3
Global Presence • 8
Doing Business in Charleston • 4
Sustainability • 9
Life Sciences in South Carolina • 5
Company Testimonial • 10
Workforce Pipeline • 6
Business Climate • 11
Global Connections • 7
Life in Charleston • 12
CHARLESTON OFFERS THE RIGHT ADVANTAGES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
Our central location offers prime access to the U.S. Southeast and nearly one-third of the U.S. population is within a one-day drive (800 km). Learn more
Discover Charleston A fast-growing population, a technically-skilled workforce, efficient access to the global marketplace, and a diverse portfolio of real estate options. Charleston is a globally competitive community for life sciences. 3
CHARLESTON PROVIDES THE INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS AT ALL PHASES OF GROWTH
Charleston’s Fastest-Growing Life Science Subsectors
MED DEVICE/ MEDTECH 36%
PHARMA
CHARLESTON OFFERS ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY TO TOP DECISION MAKERS
13%
With 300+ medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, research laboratories, service companies, and a growing IT community, businesses of all sizes can thrive in Charleston.
BIOTECH 8%
HOME TO WORLD CLASS BRANDS DIAGNOSTICS 6%
RESEARCH 14%
INDUSTRIAL + SUPPORT SERVICES 22%
4
SOUTH CAROLINA IS COMMITTED TO LIFE SCIENCES
The State of South Carolina offers economic development initiatives supporting the state’s fastest growing sector, Life Sciences
Charleston
Charleston is a Talent Magnet
Supportive Environment for Innovation
• Collaborative higher education
• Home to the Medical University
community • South Carolina Technical College System dedicated to meeting life sciences talent demand • #2 mid-size U.S. metro for workforce ages 25-34
of South Carolina, Charleston companies have direct access to the state’s leading research hospital and the regional medical community. • 45K+ University & Tech students in the talent pipeline • 1000+ annual graduates from the Medical University of South Carolina
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STRONG WORKFORCE PIPELINE
Charleston offers the workforce and talent companies need to succeed. Even with recent successes such as Boeing, Volvo, and Daimler expanding in the market, Charleston MSA’s labor pool offers more opportunities for continued business growth.
◉ Charleston | USA
Fast Facts
Regional Population of 819,000 expected to reach 1M by 2029
33 New Residents arriving daily
Thriving Industry Clusters Labor Force Growing 3X Faster than U.S. average
Information Technology
Life Sciences
72% of Incoming Labor has some higher education
Aerospace Logistics
#3 6
Automotive
Mid-size U.S. metro for pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing job growth
73rd Largest U.S. Metro by Population out of 384 metros
EASY & EFFICIENT GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Charleston International Airport (CHS) the state’s busiest passenger airport • Seasonal, nonstop international flight to Heathrow via British Airways • Flights to 40+ domestic destinations
Integrated rail and highway system
Port of Charleston is the most productive and efficient seaport in North America
Port of Charleston Fast Facts
52ft
Harbor Depth (15.85M)
100
Foreign Ports Served Directly
13
500
Ton Barge Crane
Top Container Lines Served
“We consider the Port of Charleston one of the most successful seaports in the USA... We appreciate the port’s collaboration with its industry partners to accommodate cargo demand and to continuously improve quality of service.” - Sergio Fedelini,
VP, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. (USA) Inc.
Highway System
Rail System
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GLOBAL PRESENCE
Top 3
Global trade and investment are driving the Charleston region’s continued success. From the Port of Charleston to the automotive industry to tourism, Charleston’s industries are global in nature - with international competitors, supply chains, R&D, and talent. Attracting and supporting foreign direct investment (FDI) is a foundational element of our market’s global competitiveness.
Since 2011, South Carolina has ranked among the top three U.S. states for attracting jobs through foreign investment on a per capita basis
1200+
Foreign-owned companies
40+
Countries represented across South Carolina
7%
In-migration to Charleston metro is international
160+
International companies in Charleston
Charleston
35,800
Charleston residents born abroad
Learn more about British, French, German, Canadian, Israeli, and Japanese companies doing business in Charleston. 8
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ESG criteria are a set of standards used to measure the sustainability and societal impact of a company or organization. Many employees want to be associated with companies making a positive impact on society and the environment. Learn more about ESG initiatives in Charleston, including an overview of electric vehicles, energy, and climate solutions.
9
COMPANY TESTIMONIAL:
THORNE
When looking to relocate its headquarters from Idaho, Thorne, a leading manufacturer of high quality health and wellness supplements, considered multiple North American cities. Thorne chose Charleston for its headquarters, research, sales, and manufacturing operations.
Key Site Selection Drivers • Business Friendly: Sought supportive environment from local and state stakeholders • Talent Attraction: Ability to attract and retain talent in a desirable location
“Charleston kills it on culture.
• Accessibility: Growing airport, local infrastructure, and
The local and state folks support
ability to expand
us beyond incentives to Benefits of Charleston | SC | USA
help make this move. People
• Resources and support from local stakeholders for
something; it’s not one and
don’t just call when they need
relocation and recruitment of talent • Excellent local service providers with deep knowledge and connections • Ongoing commitment from regional partners to ensure company’s long-term success
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done. It’s really astounding.” – Tom McKenna, Thorne, COO
GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE
With a business-friendly tax and incentive structure, companies locating in Charleston hold down operating costs while improving their ROI.
Three Reasons to Choose Charleston: • Low to no-cost workforce training • Business-friendly incentives • Tax credits
5% state corporate income tax Among the lowest in the nation
SC: A top state for doing business Area Development, 2020
Highly competitive incentives
To help offset corporate income tax liability
Low unionization, right-to-work state
1.9% regional unionization rate versus 10.8% U.S. average 11
Awards + Rankings
Top Ten U.S. City
GAINING INNOVATION JOBS – The New York Times
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Where the JOBS
WILL BE in 2020 – Forbes
THE BEST U.S. CITY, eight consecutive years – Travel + Leisure
CREATE A LIFE YOU LOVE IN CHARLESTON
The Charleston region is a dynamic, historically rich, culturally vibrant place to visit, live, work, play, raise a family, and retire. Our FAST-GROWING ECONOMY, NATURAL BEAUTY, AND WORLDCLASS LIFESTYLE have made Charleston popular with job seekers across the globe.
Charleston offers various neighborhoods and communities, ranging from the beach, urban/downtown, to suburbs and rural.
90 MILES of coastline
JAMES BEARD award-winning restaurants
8,000+ ACRES of greenspace
20 CHAMPIONSHIP golf courses
People, companies, investors, and entrepreneurs are seeking out Charleston because THERE’S JUST SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY HERE.
With a beautiful coastal environment, one of the best medical hubs in the Southeast, diverse housing options, and low residential property taxes, Charleston is a magnet for top business and talent.
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Interested in joining this growing community? Charleston Regional Development Alliance is here to help.
R. Megan Anderson Director, Global Business Development manderson@crda.org | +1 843.760.4531