NEWSMAKERS December 23, 2019 | www.CharlestonBusiness.com | Vol. 25, No. 27
THE YEAR IN NEWS A look back through 2019 across the Charleston area
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Andy Owens Executive Editor
MAKING NEWS ALL YEAR
ewsmakers continues to be a chance for the Charleston Regional Business Journal to step back and look at the news and events that raced across our days, weeks and months. The year 2019 symbolized change and reflection in the Charleston region — some of it good, some of it great, and a lot of it challenging. We’re making significant strides in how we tell our story to the world. We’re deciding how to shift our economy from just a place to visit into a viable place to thrive. We’re also moving forward with ways to deal with some of our seemingly overwhelming issues such as transportation and education. Here’s what you’ll find in the following pages: We have ideas grounded in action. It’s important to have a plan, but it’s more important to make decisions and execute. This edition of Newsmakers shows that 2019 sets the stage for the next version of our region. It provides the framework for the potential that a
Senior Account Executive - Robert Reilly rreilly@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3107
new decade represents. Ten years ago, we were pulling ourselves out of the worst recession in generations. Today, we’re better, and we’re sure we can handle whatever gets thrown our way. The Lowcountry’s resilience is stronger than it ever has been, and that’s something that will grow as we continue to embrace change and lead our state to be the best version of itself. Thank you to our sponsors and advertisers for making this publication possible. Your support for news and information keeps our community informed and strong. We could not do it without you. Newsmakers is a skimmable version of the news, and I encourage you to use it that way. We’ve picked these stories intentionally to be reflective of a year that is in many ways a transitional year to the future. As you peruse the publication, consider the future and how you and your business will impact our community, your employees and our country in 2020.
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 1.21.19 Issue
January 21
- February
3, 2019 • www.char
S.C. ASS PRESS OCIA AWA TION
lestonbusiness.com
RDS Best News Best Featu Reporting re Best Photo Writing graph Best y Desig n
Dominion merg er means change for SCE&G custo mers Volume 25,
Blackbaud layoffs
The Daniel Island software company shifts resources in restructuring plan. Page 10
By Melinda mwaldrop@s
No. 2 • $2.25
Waldrop
cbiznews.com The $14.6 billion deal will provide ers of former lmost a year SCANA subsidiary ratepay“We knew to the day after tric & Gas S.C. Elecit wasn’t refunds in the ing details of first makbill reductions form of monthly Dominion spokesman going to be easy,” its SCANA Corp. proposal to acquire Ryan Frazier took about a 20-year periodof more than $2 billion said. “It public, Richmond Va.-based Dominion and make permanent over knew there a year, just like we thought. , reduction Energy completed was going to ... merger, capping a rate and be significant We the also closes of approximately 15%. like feelings legal maneuverin a tumultuous 12 months anger The from not only of troubled the books on SCANA, whichmerger lawmakers, regulators g and absorbing customers but olina’s independen times fell on South Carand customer t utility company. ar project, and in the wake of a failed nucle- cates.” advoOn Jan. 2, now a wholly brings a new look to SCE&G, Dominion announced owned subsidiary of Dominion. a new
A
REINVENTION givS.Ce.,I-52cou6nty gre See DOMINION,
Metanoia prepares for Chicora Elementary renovation
Brewing change
After string of successes, craft beer companies to ease restrictions want further. Page 6
Healthy trend
As the population increases, medical facilities are growing up and out. Page 17
Lighting busines
s
Texas company buys Goose Creek lighting designer and manufacturer. Page 7
INSIDE
Metanoia’s plans for the vacant Chicora Elementar y School include an early childhood center, a 300-seat theater and artist studio space, turning the abandoned building into a community center. Page 12
en light
Chicora Elementa ry School city of North closed in Charlesto 2012, and n took site shortly the after. Metanoia possession of the on redevelop ing the site plans to break ground Rendering later this /McMillan year. (Above: Below: Photo/Pat Pazdan Smith for Metanoia rick Hoff) ;
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... In Focus: Health ................. 4 List: Hospitals Care ......... 17 ....................22 Bonus List: Urgent Care Centers....... ....23 At Work ................... ...........25 Peer to Peer ................... .....27 Hot Properties .....................28 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life .................... 30
Guiding tour
By Patrick Hoff
S
By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scb iznews.com
tate and local officials once approved a again plan to extend 526 into Johns Interstate Island and James meaning the Island, longstanding infrastructure and project is back controversial than a decade on track more after its inception. The S.C. Transporta tion Infrastructu Bank, the S.C. re Department tion and Charleston of Transporta County entered new agreement into a ect. The 21-pagethis month to revive the projresponsibilities. contract outlines financial Construction is likely years ning though, despite approvals,out from beginway extension and the highenvironmental faces strong opposition from groups and some Plans call for residents. onto Interstate building nearly eight miles currently comes526, past where the highway state 17 in West to a dead end at U.S. Intercontinue straight Ashley. The highway would River and into from there across the Stono Johns Island before winding See 526, Page
guides
Charleston appeals judge rejects city’s ruling after request to reinstate tour guide certification . Page 7
The renovated Chicora Elementary School building will be used as an early childhood center, an artist center and a campus location for Allegro Charter School of Music. (Photos/Patrick Hoff)
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tanding in the dilapidated cafeteria of the former Chicora Elementary School, it’s impossible to avoid the fact that the building needs work. Dust covers the floor, ceiling panels are falling out or missing altogether, and windows leading into the hallway are broken. Even on a sunny day, it’s colder inside than outside. Chicora, built in the 1930s and expanded in the 1950s, closed in 2012. It was given to the city of North Charleston in exchange for donating land to build the Chicora School of Communications, an elementary school. Community development nonprofit Metanoia has a site control agreement with North Charleston. “Our vision here is not just a one- or two-year vision,” Metanoia CEO Rev. Bill Stanfield said. “Our vision is a 20-year vision. We want to be able to say that because of what’s happening here today, 20 years from now, what happens in this neighborhood is differ-
Metanoia expects the renovation to be completed in late 2020 or early 2021. (Renderings/Metanoia)
ent than what happens in a lot of neighborhoods around the region where investment comes in and people get shoved aside and the same old script gets repeated over and over again.” About half of the 58,510-squarefoot building will be converted into Allegro Charter School of Music. Metanoia also plans to open an early childhood center, for which Ingevity donated $400,000 earlier this year, as well as studio space for up to 28 artists
and a performing arts center that will use the school’s existing theater. Duncan Cheney, Metanoia’s director of physical asset development, said the former elementary school will require a full renovation, including new electrical and plumbing, but that the building is structurally sound; its roof was replaced a few years before the school shuttered in 2012. The project will cost $14 million to complete, $6 million of which was
otherNEWSMAKERS State and local officials once again approved a plan to extend Interstate 526 to Johns Island and James Island, putting the long-standing and controversial infrastructure project back on track more than a decade after its inception. The S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank, the S.C. Department of Transportation and Charleston County entered into a new agreement in January to revive the project. Construction is likely years out, though Charleston County allocated around $3.1 million for the project in February.
4 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
Interstate 526 currently ends on Savannah Highway in West Ashley. Plans call for building onto that section of the highway to add about 7 miles and extend it onto Johns and James islands. (Photo/File)
gathered through fundraising and $8 million of which will be from state and federal tax credits, including abandoned building tax credits and historic tax credits. New markets tax credits, given to investments in low-income communities, also could be used. Cheney said Metanoia completed its fundraising campaign in the fall and began construction in December. The facility is expected to open in late 2020 or early 2021. CRBR
Page 15
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 2.18.19 Issue
February 18
- March 3, 2019
Summey’s outlook
North Charleston mayor focuses on recreation, development in 2019 speech. Page 8
Tariff uncertainty slows economic development
• www.char
S.C. ASS PRESS OCIA AWA TION
lestonbusiness.com
Tariff uncertain ty By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scb
slowing economi c
C
iznews.com
of Charleston of downtown offers a view Charleston. Tournament said proximity planners to the city is ideal for attendees. (Photo/U.S. Women’s Open)
Tecklenburg’s viewpoint
Charleston mayor prioritizes flooding and drainage issues in address. Page 8
Mobile ordering
A look at how smartphones change the thriving restaurant industry. Page 2
Fueling technolo
gy Ingevity launches natural gas refueling station at its North Charleston headquarter s. Page 13
INSIDE Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... In Focus: Trends ................. 4 List: Recycling in Energy ... 13 Companies . 16 At Work ................... ........... 17 Peer to Peer ................... ..... 19 Hot Properties .................... 20 Viewpoint ................... ........ 21 Day in the Life .....................22
Volume 25,
‘ON THE WORLD STA GE’ Officials expect 100,000 people to attend the U.S. spring on James Women’s Open Island, generating Championship Lowcountry. Area this leaders say the up to a $35 million economic prestigious tournament impact for exposure will and internationa the nurture economic l media development deals. Page 10
Library to luxury
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
outh Carolina regulations guiding care investment health tiny again after are coming under scrua Departmen and Human t of Health Services report laws do not found that such achieve The law, known their intended goals. as the State of Need and Health Facility Certification requires any Licensure Act, health care system or company that wants to build a new facility, add an existing beds to facility, ment over $600,000 purchase medical equipor spend more million on than $2 a capital expenditur approval from e to receive the and Environme S.C. Department of Health ntal Control. The program, meant to contain according to DHEC, vent unnecessar health care costs and is prey duplication services. of facilities and South Carolina, which has required icates of need certifsince 1971, is one of 35 with such a program. On states average, states certificate of with need programs ferent services, regulate 14 difdevices and procedures; Carolina regulates South 20. “Without a doubt, you’re ensuring qualSee HEALTH CARE LAW, Page 6
The long-awaite
d Hotel
opens along Marion Bennett Square at the former site of the Charleston library. Page 22
C
ompanies are taking a “waitand-see” approach to expansions and investments while countries continue to battle over tariffs, according to an economic developer and an economist. Frank Hefner, economics professor at the College of Charleston, said the ongoing retaliatory tariffs between the United States and China, among other countries, are making companies cautious to change their business models or pursue new locations. He added that firms looking to expand plants or hire more workers in anticipation of future production might be putting those plans on hold until trade agreements are negotiated between countries. “If you’re thinking in terms of ‘Let’s add another assembly line to the plant,’ this might not be the best time to do it because there’s too much uncertainty. … Taking a wait-and-see attitude means, ‘Well, let’s just keep doing what we’re doing and see what happens before we expand,’ ” Hefner said. “I think a lot of people are taking that viewpoint.” China and the U.S. have imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods coming from each country since the summer of 2018. President Donald Trump said the taxes on Chinese goods are an effort to strong-arm the government into improving trade relations with the U.S. and to better protect U.S. intellectual property. The president has also strongly pushed for goods to be manufactured in the U.S. throughout his presidency, but many U.S. manufacturers — including automotive and aerospace companies in the Lowcountry — rely on global supply chains for parts. Hefner said issues often arise during
Ongoing tariffs disputes between the U.S. and China, among other countries, are making companies cautious to change their business models or pursue new locations, shrinking the pipeline of economic development deals in the Lowcountry. (Photo/S.C. Ports Authority)
international trade negotiations, but they are typically solved in a “quieter, more peaceful, more restrained fashion.” He said firms want long-term agreements. “We have a president who likes to be known as the great disrupter, and that makes planning very, very difficult,” Hefner said. The Lowcountry has seen significant growth since the Great Recession in myriad industries, including a boom in advanced manufacturing and an expansion of life sciences, technology and logistics firms.
The political climate — including ongoing tariff battles and the potential fallout from Brexit, the 2016 decision by British voters to leave the European Union — has caused uncertainty among companies, said Mike Graney, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance’s vice president of global business development. “Companies are still expressing interest. ... They’re just saying, ‘Let’s delay this until we have a better handle of what’s going on.’ ... You hear that for a few quarters in a row, and that’s when your pipeline starts to shrink,”
Graney said. The CRDA is pivoting its recruitment strategy slightly in response to focus on connecting with venture capital groups, as well as providing support to entrepreneurs and startups. “We’re turning more attention to entrepreneurial sectors and less toward corporate recruiting for the next couple of quarters,” Graney said. “We’ll still do both, but we’re focusing on this a bit more.” Hefner and Graney stressed that the U.S. economy is doing well, despite international tensions. CRBJ
otherNEWSMAKERS North Charleston chemical manufacturer Ingevity wants to power more vehicles with natural gas, and company officials said its technology could make that shift more likely. Ingevity developed a technology that enables low-pressure natural gas storage tanks on vehicles. The company opened a low-pressure adsorbed natural gas fueling station at its headquarters in North Charleston.
6 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
RDS Best News Best Featu Reporting re Best Photo Writing graph Best y Desig n
development
Debate renewed over contentio us health care law
S
By Liz Segrist
No. 4 • $2.25
College of Charleston , said the ongoing iatory tariffs retal- negotiated between the ompanies are United China, among taking a “wait-andbetween countries. approach to other countries, States and see” companies “If you’re thinking expansions are making cautious and investments while models or pursue to change their business another assembly line in terms of ‘Let’s add countries continue battle over tariffs, to the plant,’ new locations. not be the best to according to this might He added that developer and time to do it firms looking an economist. an economic plants too much uncertainty because there’s or hire more to expand Frank Hefner, economics professor of future production workers in anticipation see attitude’ means, . … Taking a ‘wait and at the plans what we’re doing ‘Well let’s just keep might be putting doing on hold until and see what trade agreementsthose happens before are See TARIFFS, Page 9 The Country Club
Ingevity opened a low-pressure adsorbed natural gas fueling station in January at its headquarters in North Charleston. (Photos/Ingevity)
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 3.4.19 Issue
Commander says community support critical to S.C. military
W
2019 • www.char
S.C. ASS PRESS OCIA AWA TION
lestonbusiness.com
Mount Pleasant looks
Rolling off
Berkeley County’s location and infrastructur e makes it attractive for companies looking to invest. Page 18
Residential trend
Real estate agents residential market expect to remain steady in 2019. Page 25
Diving in
Charleston City Council sinks deep into flooding discussions. Page 10
By Patrick Hoff
Volume 25,
RDS Best News Best Featu Reporting re Best Photo Writing graph Best y Desig n
for ‘self-sustaining ’ short-term renta ls No. 6 • $2.25
phoff@scbiz tion with city news.com staff and create mendations, Mount Pleasant’s policy recom- think ount Pleasant everyone felt, being drafted regulations are is preparing primarily by the leagues Any ordinance that was fine.” the town’s Planning of municipali to join Committee and must be approved ties trytown staff. ing to get a Pleasant Town handle on short-term by Mount “We felt the rentals by drafting Council before Planning of the town’s it becomes part regulations property use. code. to codify the doing a great job researchingDepartment was Denise Holtz, stood the scope so Unlike Charleston founder of the of what was going they under- Rental S.C. Vacation Bustos, , which created Management force to study Association, a task Planningtown councilmember and on,” said Joe glad that short-term rentals said she Mount Pleasant chair of the Committee in conjuncwasn’t using was ing and working, . “They’ve been research- force. a task and I felt that was, and I See SHORT-TERM RENTALS, Page 6
M
GAININ
TRACTIONG The longtime plan to extend Interstate 526 has renewed into Johns and momentum, but James islands controversy abounds County’s decision about Charleston to use half-cent sales tax funds to pay for the project. Page 8
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... Special Section: ................. 4 County Growth Berkeley Report ........ 17 In Focus: Real Estate..........25 List: Homebuilder s............ 30 At Work ................... ...........33 Peer to Peer ................... .....35 Hot Properties .................... 36 Viewpoint ................... Interstate 526 ........37 Day in the Life currently ends .................... at Savannah Highway County wants 38 to add about seven in miles onto I-526. West Ashley. Charleston (Photo/Liz Segrist)
Historic refits hinge on intricate numbers game By Melinda
C
Waldrop
mwaldrop@s cbiznews.com
hris Rogers needs only to look office window out his to find inspiration Rogers, . law firm Rogers an attorney with Columbia Lewis, is also local limited liability company a member of a Midlands and that scouts the beyond for promising ment projects, developparticularly ones that efit from federal and state historic can benincentives. tax credit “There’s a building that I like over the other side here on of Assembly said from a Street,” Rogers 12th-floor conference his firm’s Bank room at building. While of America downtown office he three-story buildingdoesn’t know if the white, that used to estate brokerage house a real its, “I see it everywould be eligible for tax credday, and I’m really do something like, ‘We with that building.’ could A turn to the north produces ” thoughts as similar Rogers’ gaze falls upon the mer Stone Manufactu forring building N. Main St. at 3452 “It’s just sitting big, empty buildingthere empty,” he said. “It’s a that is sort the surroundin g community of a blight on . If you can take See TAXES, Page
By Patrick Hoff ith a $24.1 billion impact on the Palmetto State, the military and defense sectors rely on crucial community support to ensure the health and prosperity of personnel and their families, military leaders say. “It matters when people come up and shake the hands of uniformed service members at the airport or say thank you for your service,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett said. “It really does. It helps. It matters when the school systems care about those airmen moving in.” Barrett is the commander of the 18th Air Force, which oversees Joint Base Charleston’s 437th Airlift Wing. The 18th Air Force is based out of Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and is the only numbered Air Force unit in Air Mobility Command, which provides airlift and air refueling to the entire military. Joint Base Charleston’s 628th Air Base Wing, which serves as the host unit of the base, also is under Air Mobility Command. Barrett said the Charleston region’s school systems, businesses and employment opportunities for spouses and families of the base crew
March 4 - 17,
New Goose Creek
Town sets sights on development opportunitie for growing community. s Page 17
Critical support
Military leaders say community is crucial to the region’s $10 billion defense industry. Page 14
members “are critical to the health of our airmen,” and he thanked the Charleston community for being so welcoming. Barrett began his Air Force career in Charleston, arriving at the Air Force Base shortly after Hurricane Hugo. According to a 2017 report from the S.C. Military Base Task Force, the military has a $10.8 billion impact on South Carolina, supporting 68,529 jobs. Joint Base Charleston alone accounts for $8.7 billion of that statewide economic impact and 50,303 of the jobs. The base has a $6.6 billion economic impact on the Charleston region, supporting 47,344 jobs. “While I understand that Charleston’s a busy, vibrant place and lots of great things are going on, this base has been a huge part of this community for a long time,” Barrett said. “And we’re here ... to continue to contribute to the fabric of the Lowcountry.” One thing that the Air Force and the Department of Defense are focused on, according to Barrett, is allowing for military spouses to receive license reciprocity across municipalities or states to ensure they
can easily obtain work. “Because unlike some other citizens in Charleston,” he said, “these people that are a doctor, for example, or a lawyer, you know, four years from now, the Air Force is going to ask them to go to Little Rock, Ark., or to Seattle, and the state government’s ability to help us with that is really something that the Air Force and the Department of Defense are interested in.” Barrett said Joint Base Charleston is one of the few bases in the 18th Air Force that is joint base. Until 2010, the base was separated into Naval Weapons Station Charleston and Charleston Air Force Base, but recommendations from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure study led to the merger of the Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station. Barrett said that the joint base doesn’t make his mission any more challenging. “There’s challenges with anything, but there’s also opportunities, too, because you get different mindsets,” he said. “You get the Navy and the Air Force coming together to solve problems, and I think it works really good.” Barrett said 8,000 planes were
flown out of Joint Base Charleston last year, moving 46,000 people and 156 tons of cargo. Assignments included hurricane relief, overseas missions, and training exercises with other U.S. military bases and allies. “The challenge for us is, in mobility business, we’re never just training and then going off and executing our mission, because we’re executing our mission all the time,” he said. “The C-17s are always moving cargo, they’re always moving supplies.” Barrett said that he doesn’t foresee any decrease in the Air Force’s need at Joint Base Charleston. “I think that the mission of Air Mobility Command and the 18th and the 437th are critical and enduring,” he said, adding, “I don’t see any reduction in the need for what the 437th Airlift Wing and their sister wing the 315th, the reserve wing here, are doing five years from now than what they’re doing now.” He added that the airmen and their units just have to be executing their mission better as threats develop. “We are in an era of great power competition ... and so the times in the future present unique challenges that we have to be ready for,” he said.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett visited Joint Base Charleston in 2019, speaking to aircrews and inspecting C-17 Globemasters. (Photos/Airman 1st Class Allison Payne for the Air Force)
otherNEWSMAKERS Boeing nominated former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley to join its board of directors. Haley is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was the first female governor of South Carolina and was a three-term legislator in the S.C. House of Representatives. She became governor in 2011, the same year Boeing opened its Dreamliner campus in North Charleston. Haley aggressively recruited economic development deals to the state, including expansions at Boeing South Carolina. Haley left her position as governor in 2017 to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She left that post in December 2018.
8 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
Former S.C. governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley has been nominated to Boeing Co.’s board of directors. (Photo/ Andy Owens)
CRBJ
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 4.1.19 Issue
Forts Sumter, Moultrie converted to national park
F
2019 • www.char
S.C. ASS PRESS OCIA AWA TION
lestonbusiness.com Volume 25,
Educational opportunity
Private school adding adolescent Montessorian program this fall. Page 11
Closing the gap
Lowcountry Local First offering resources, mentorship to entrepreneurs. Page 12
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Trump includes $138M for harb or deepening in budget No. 8 • $2.25
By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scb budget set aside iznews.com $138 million struction on the Charleston for more con- deployed he Charleston eral money, Harbor deepening project. This by ocean carriers. pending ect was included fedprojThe eventual in the president’s will help fund more Congressional approval, 52-foot depth will yield budget for the deepest harbor the East Coast. of the federal the first time, ment’s share much-needed on governof the project providing federal dollars “Federal funding costs. Deepening work. for dredging at such a high work involves level reflects tracts, with each multiple con- the importance of our President Donald one responsible project to the Trump’s fiscal a section of nation for dredging and supports the continued the harbor or year 2020 progress of conmore depth a river to achieve struction to 52 feet, ” the S.C. Port for larger cargo Authority’s ships being See HARBOR DEEPENING, Page 7
T
ELEVATIN
HISTORYG
A bill sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott has converted Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie from a national monument to a national historic park, though officials say the change shouldn’t affect day-to-day operations.
MUSC opens new children’s outpatient facili ty
T
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
he Medical University of South Carolina has opened its pediatric facility in outpatient all of its pediatricNorth Charleston, bringing health care services location off to one of the first time. the Charleston peninsula for “This new facility would not have sible without been posthe Page 6 the mayor, the vision and commitme nt of North cil, the community Charleston City Coun,” said Dr. Patrick CEO of MUSC Cawley, a promise to Health. “They all saw through deliver the land upon which this … facility health care for dedicated solely to outpatient kids sits today.” The MUSC Children’s Health Summey Medical Pavilion, openedR. Keith public April to the 1 but held a ribbon cutting mony in early cereMarch that coincided North Charleston mayor’s birthday. with the The MUSC board of trustees the facility in Summey’s honorvoted to name his decades-lon to recognize g leadership of the city. “He has brought a sense and pride to North Charlestonof community have been seen any time before,” that may not said board of Photo/File
Summer jobs
Charleston, chamber youth hiring challengeextend Lowcountry businesses.to Page 13
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Education and Workforce Developmen t......11 Lists: Colleges
and Universities. Computer Training................ 15 Companies..................... Bonus List: Manufacture .... 15 rs.. 16 At Work ................... ...........23 Peer to Peer ................... .....26 Hot Properties .....................28 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life .................... 30
See MUSC, Page
By Patrick Hoff ort Sumter and Fort Moultrie have been converted to a national park as part of a comprehensive conservation bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March. The forts were previously known as Fort Sumter National Monument, established in 1948 and managed by the National Park Service. Public information officer Dawn Davis said the change to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historic Park won’t affect operations much; it’s more about public perception. “Sometimes monument ... it’s not an easy thing to understand,” Davis said. “So national historical park, because it also has the word ‘park’ in it, is a little easier for people to understand the relationship with the National Park Service.” She added that the change also elevates Fort Moul-
April 1 - 14,
Parking expansio
n Charleston airport to its parking capacity double with new five-story garage. Page 3
Sculpting worlds
Summerville filmmaker stopmotion claymation uses to create horror films. Page 22
trie into the official name of the site and fully incorporates the Sullivan’s Island Life Saving Station into the site. Since 1960, Fort Moultrie has been maintained by the National Park Service without any clear management mandate or established boundary. “There were many (who) sometimes didn’t recognize or understand that Fort Moultrie was also part of the park,” Davis said. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said in a statement that the new law allows the federal government to “continue managing public lands in a balanced way.” “This bill is extremely beneficial to the American people,” he said, “and I look forward to working with Congress and local communities to implement the many local conservation wins.” U.S. Sen. Tim Scott introduced the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Act in both 2016 and 2018; the bill was one
Above: Fort Moultrie, located in Sullivan’s Island, was the site of an American victory against the British during the Revolutionary War, when the site was called Fort Sullivan. It was later renamed Fort Moultrie after William Moultrie, the commanding officer of the fort during the battle. (Photo/Patrick Hoff)
otherNEWSMAKERS A private Montessori school in West Ashley is in the midst of constructing a new middle school building for its first adolescent program. Morgan Futch, chair of the Charles Towne Montessori board, said in that it has been the school’s goal to add an adolescent program for several years. “We are responding to parents’ desires to extend AMI Montessori education through the adolescent cycle and prepare students for any high school experience, public or private,” Futch said.
10 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
of more than 100 bills focused on land preservation and wildlife conservation that were incorporated into the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act. “This is an exciting day for South Carolina, as the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Act will help ensure the preservation of these important sites for generations to come,” Scott said in a statement. The overall act also contains the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Act and the reauthorization of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation program, both co-sponsored by Scott. The Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Act also transitions the Reconstruction Era National Monument in Beaufort County to a national park, and the HBCU Historic Preservation program works to help historically black colleges and universities with the
upkeep of historic buildings. South Carolina previously had only one national park: Congaree National Park, established by Congress in 2003. Fort Moultrie, located in Sullivan’s Island, was the site of an American victory against the British during the Revolutionary War, when the site was called Fort Sullivan. It was later renamed Fort Moultrie after William Moultrie, the commanding officer of the fort during the battle. Constructio on Fort Sumter began in 1829, but it was incomplete when the first shots of the Civil War were fired there in April 1861. The fort was named for Thomas Sumter, a general who had won several victories in the Carolinas against the British during the Revolutionary War. After the Civil War, which left Fort Sumter in ruins, parts of the fort were rebuilt and modified. CRBJ
Left and above: Fort Sumter began construction in 1829 but was incomplete when the first shots of the Civil War were fired there in April 1861. (Photos/File)
8
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 4.15.19 Issue
April 15 - 28,
2019 • www.char
Volume 25,
The Class of 2019
Top professional s under 40 tell what makes them tick. Page 17
Firefly Distillery setting stage for new facility By Patrick Hoff
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz
M
Glowing strong
Firefly Distillery takes next step with new 16-acre facility in North Charleston. Page 11
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ................11 List: Heating and Air Contractors. ..................39 At Work ................... ........... 41 Peer to Peer ................... .....43 Hot Properties .....................44 Viewpoint ................... ....... 45 Day in the Life .................... 46
Firefly’s new campus will have a 21,000-square-foot indoor facility. (Rendering/Provided)
art microdistillery,” Newitt said. Newitt and his co-owner, Jim Irvin, are investing over $10 million in the new campus. That’s about $2.3 million more than initially estimated, but Newitt said it’s what’s required to “turn a landfill into a county park.” Firefly is planting 300 trees on the property, mainly in the parking area and around the outdoor stage area. The trees were grown at a farm in Walterboro and were transplanted in November. Newitt said he and Irvin spent about three years looking for a site for their new facility. They purchased the North Charleston property in 2017 from the
city for $874,634, according to Charleston County property records. Since then, Firefly cleaned up the land and checked for any hazardous materials in the soil. After that, all 16 acres were covered in an additional foot of dirt to prepare for construction. Another hiccup when purchasing the land, Newitt said, was that the property’s title initially said it couldn’t be used for the production of alcohol. The deed restriction was lifted when North Charleston rezoned the property for Firefly. Newitt is trying to salvage what he can from the site and from Firefly’s current facility to be reused in the new
otherNEWSMAKERS Charleston International Airport added a nonstop, twice-weekly flight to London’s Heathrow Airport. British Airways’ inaugural LHR-CHS flight arrived in Charleston April 4. The new flight operates Thursdays and Sundays on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Airport officials and elected leaders greeted passengers to celebrate the state’s first trans-Atlantic service. The airline said the region’s internationally acclaimed charm, history, golf and beaches were a big part of the decision to include Charleston in its North American expansion plans.
12 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
British Airways began service to Charleston International Airport in 2019 using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo/British Airways)
RDS Best News Best Featu Reporting re Best Photo Writing graph Best y Desig n
Industrial park to draw business to St. George
Here’s Heathro
w British Airways launches nonstop flights between London and Charleston. Page 7 Culinary excellen
ce Fig, High Wire Distilling named finalists for Beard Foundation James Awards. Page 2
No. 9 • $2.25
rental regulatio ns
decision,” Councilma news.com n Tom O’Rourke the Planning said Committee’s ount Pleasant’s meeting earlier at mainly came from month. “And people who currently I think what this ate short-term tee has voted Planning Commit- a we have, lot to recommen operrentals — lations d regu- darn of good work, is something based on portive of the proposed were generally supclose. And it’s als in the town, regarding short-term that’s pretty rentregulations, not like we though can’t change many people had concerns to the Planning moving the draft ordinance anything later if it becomes the annual permit. about the cost Commission. a huge The Planning “Everybody’s of The ordinance Committee has problem.” not going ing and been discuss- ate a short-term rental application would creout of that room, but we to do cartwheels nance reviewing a short-term annually and fee of $100 have to make rental ordisince November. a permit the Michele Canon, fee of $400 annually. Public comments principal planner at the meeting — which for See SHORT-TERM RENTALS, Page 6
A
By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scb iznews.com
global logistics company plans invest $100 to million into an industrial building commerce park western part in the of Dorchester County. DHL Supply Deutsche Post Chain, part of Germany-b ased DHL Group, redevelop a said it intends 125-acre to hub for warehousin site in St. George g and distribution into a ations over the next two operPhoto/City of Charleston years. DHL merce Park, Comlocated expected to create along U.S. Highway 78, is John Truluck, 450 jobs. County Economic director of Dorchester Development, George will said St. benefit from the project as companies move more in “You don’t get and create jobs. Grant funding many $100 that helped develop ments. That million investalone is a big Charleston Place deal. get very many filed by Charleston in the 1980s is 450-job projects,”You also don’t at the center of and its two most “And of course, a lawsuit Truluck said. recent mayors. we don’t get The suit alleges development nonprofit either in the very many that an economic western part of is now withholding of Dorchester ty, so this is money, which Counan even bigger the city meant to use for affordable deal to us because of where it is. Bringing 450 and workforce is going to have jobs housing. a huge impact.” to St. George Truluck added Page 8 that new ripple effect for the town’s jobs will have a small businesses as See INDUSTRIAL PARK, Page 12
LAWSUIT FILED
CHARLESTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION Who is Projects, companiesbuilding what in the Charleston , prices, projected area? timelines, photos and stories. Page 11
F
or decades, a swath of land in between South Rhett and Spruill Avenues was used for municipal purposes — first as a landfill and then as a public works transfer site for the city of North Charleston. Soon, the Lowcountry will be able to sip vodka and bourbon on that same site while listening to live music at Firefly Distillery’s new 16-acre campus. Co-owner Scott Newitt said the distillery can’t grow much more at its current location on Wadmalaw Island, particularly because the location is limited to well water and has no sewerage. “We’re moving because we found a perfect piece of property that’s 7 miles from downtown, in the Park Circle area,” he said. “We can grow our whiskey business and we can grow our vodka business and we can grow all of our business.” Firefly’s North Charleston campus, expected to open in February, will include a 21,000-square-foot indoor facility for liquor production, a tasting room, a gift shop, two event rooms for rent and office space. Outdoor amenities will include spaces for food trucks, a stage for live performances and parking. Newitt also plans to convert an old travel trailer into a drink truck to incorporate a bar next to the food trucks. “We’re building a really state-of-the-
S.C. ASS PRESS OCIA AWA TION
lestonbusiness.com
Mount Pleasant advances shor t-term
location. For example, old utility poles left on the North Charleston property will be used to support outdoor lighting, and old wooden liquor barrels will be used for the bar and other interior decor. Newitt has also collected glass while clearing the North Charleston property to turn create a mosaic of a firefly. Firefly won’t be allowed to serve alcohol on Sundays because of S.C. law that allows distilleries and liquor stores to be open only Monday through Saturday. Newitt said that the distillery could use the Sunday closure to its advantage, however, by renting out the facility for weddings or other events. The caterer for the event would be able to serve alcohol if it received a special event license. Firefly currently serves about 40,000 people a year at its Wadmalaw Island location, but Newitt and Irvin said they hope they can attract at least 150,000 people annually to North Charleston within the first few years of opening. Newitt said this is phase one of building the campus; plans for future phases include a restaurant, more barrel warehouse space and a larger stage. The campus could also include a second distillery that would be approximately the same size as the initial one. CRBJ
Segra is one of the largest independent fiber bandwidth companies in the U.S. Representing a successful merger of Lumos Networks and Spirit Communications, the company now has the most advanced fiber network infrastructure of over 21,000 miles that connects more than 9,000 on-net locations and 44 data centers throughout nine Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states.
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 5.27.19 Issue
May 27 - June
9, 2019 • www.char
Page 6
No new deal
Judge denies Al Parish’s request for new sentencing decade after Ponzi plea. Page 14
Task force, city council update Charleston hotel regulations
lestonbusiness.com
Business, cons umers to
Growing pains
Mayors from area municipalities discuss regional challenges. local,
By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scb
E
Santee Cooper, Westinghouse litigate over ownership of equipment. Page 7
As concerns rise
about the number
assembled a task
of hotels in downtown
force to develop
recommendations
Page 8
Expanding ER
Charleston, the
city has for new policies.
Summerville Medical begins multimillion Center -dollar expansion of emergency facilities. Page 14
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Human Resources... List: Office Supply ........... 19 and Equipment Companies .......22 Bonus List: Employee Benefits Brokers..24 At Work ................... ...........25 Peer to Peer ................... .....27 Hot Properties .....................28 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life .................... 30 Hotel Bennett
is one of the newest
and largest hotels
in downtown
Charleston. (Photo/Patric k Hoff)
North Charlest Business Expo on in photos
According to the Charleston Planning Department, 4,920 hotel rooms were built or had full approval to be built downtown as of Dec. 31. Planning Director Jacob Lindsey said his department anticipates 2,578 more rooms to be added in the next several years either because they’ve started the approval process or his staff has reason to believe they will soon. In 1980, the peninsula had 1,085 hotel rooms. Downtown Charleston has 13.2 hotel
rooms per 100 people, which Lindsey said is a good ratio because it places the peninsula between Boston, with 9 hotel rooms per 100 residents, and San Francisco, with 15 rooms per 100 residents. With all of the anticipated hotel rooms, though, Lindsey said downtown Charleston would have 20 rooms per 100 residents, the same number as Savannah. “We believe that we are at or we ... probably have already passed the tipping point in terms of the number of hotel
otherNEWSMAKERS A federal judge denied a resentencing request from a Ponzi scheme mastermind who swindled about $66 million from hundreds of people. Al Parish was sentenced to 292 months in prison by Judge David Norton in 2008. After learning that Norton had purchased a set of cufflinks for $700 at an auction of Parish’s property meant to recoup some of the funds he stole, Parish began a string of motions in the courts. Parish appealed his sentence, saying, “My concern is whether or not I received a harsher sentence than I would have otherwise received were it not for the judge’s attendance and participation at the auction and the public’s notice of this fact.”
14 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
Ponzi con artist Al Parish appealed his sentence after he discovered the judge presiding over his case in 2008 purchased a set of his cuff links at auction. A federal judge denied his request. (Photo/File)
No. 12 • $2.25
See TARIFFS,
A
By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scb iznews.com
fter years of planning, constructio is underway n on a six-story, ern office modnumerous tech building designed to house companies. The project ton Tech Centerplanners behind the Charleslarge tech firms, hope to fill it completely with startups and for growing incubator space companies. The project, along Morrison located la, is slated to Drive on the Upper Peninsuopen Ernest Andrade,by late 2020. executive the Charleston Digital Corridor,director of tech-centric said the building will have office spaces for companies ranging from ups to established one-person startsoftware firms. call for retail Designs also on the ground an adjacent, floor, as well small as 800-space parking public park and a six-story, Andrade said garage. tech companies the idea of having numerous itself to tenants in the same building will lend interacting — around, troubleshoo bouncing ideas rating on projects. ting issues or collaboThe newbie might learn from the seasoned entrepreneur “The fact that executive. somebody starting out as a See TECH HUB,
Page 12
rooms per resident in our city center to maintain the balance and diversity that is typical of a vibrant place,” Lindsey said. “We don’t want to become a tourist hub that just has tourism.” Changes to the accommodations regulations include a limit on “full-service” hotels, a term used for large hotels with conference and meeting space, an on-site restaurant and other amenities; a fee imposed on new hotels to help fund affordable housing in Charleston; and stricter guidelines for the Board of Zoning Appeals to follow when considering hotel projects. The ordinance also includes protections for existing residential, office and retail space downtown to prevent those uses from being displaced off the peninsula. A proposed ban on new rooftop bars was tabled for further discussion within its own ordinance. The goal, Lindsey said, is maintaining a diversity of uses by protecting retail, offices and residences from being displaced. Winslow Hastie, president and CEO of Historic Charleston Foundation, said he’s not opposed to hotels but said downtown Charleston is lacking office space. “We have to make sure there’s going to be a vibrant sort of midtown zone that’s dense but vibrant with a diversity of uses,” he said. “And that’s what’s going to make us very successful for the long term.” The task force continues to meet to discuss regulating rooftop bars. According to a draft ordinance, eating and drinking establishments with a patron use area on a rooftop would be permitted in general business, urban commercial, mixed-use and upper peninsula base zoning districts, only as a special exception. Rooftop eating and drinking places would be prohibited in all other zoning districts. CRBJ
Page 10
Project planners envision tech hub in office proje ct
Hundreds of exhibitors, thousands attendees and a few dogs attend of Page 30 annual expo.
Hotel Bennett is one of the most recently opened hotels in Charleston. City Council approved new accommodations regulations earlier this year meant to curb the growth of hotels within the city. (Photo/Patrick Hoff)
A
Volume 25,
IS CHARLES N TO O ACCOMMODTO ATING?
Nuclear issue
By Patrick Hoff
s developers continued to line up at the Board of Zoning Appeals to receive approvals for hotels, the city of Charleston organized an 11-member task force to revise its accommodations zoning ordinance and determine regulations that meet the needs of the growing Holy City. Members of the task force included city council members, community advocates and leaders in the hospitality industry.
feel brunt of lates t tariffs
to a 25% tariff iznews.com on $200 billion nese goods, up worth of Chixperts anticipate from 10%. Many business The Chinese U.S. businesses increased costs for owners and government respond economists and consumers said it will agree that China needs result of to be as a on $60 by increasing tariffs from international on imported the latest round of U.S. 10% to 25% trade standards held to higher tariffs is not billion worth of U.S. imports Chinese that tariffs pass but also stress reached by June President Donald goods. the costs on if a deal companies. to consumers Trump and Trump said much 1. President Xi and Chinese es Jinping failed of the negotiation “Yes, we’re imposing on the U.S. to negotiate deal earlier this s hingwanting China a trade a tariff on a month, and to stop unfair product, but it is the American foreign Trump increased trade practices, such as infringeme pays it,” said Frank consumer who lectual property nt on intelHefner, economics rights. professor
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 6.10.19 Issue
June 10 - 23,
2019 • www.char
Volume 25,
Lowcountry companies
Special publication regional businesses.profiles Inside
Women’s Open impact extends beyond weeklong tournament
lestonbusiness.com
Businesses adap t to restrictions on single-use plast ics
Multifamily boom
Appetite for apartments hasn’t waned even as developments continue to rise across the region. Page 15
By Liz Segrist
A
DRIVEN TO WIN
M
McManu
s
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
ac Burdette is of the opinion when you get that to you should take a fork in the road, it. “Life just, it leads you in tions, and you all sorts of direcnever know if you’re taking right road or not,” he said. the to think you “Usually you are, like being prepared and I think being resilient, part of getting in a different direction is all lucky That philosophy and being successful.” led Burdette long career of to a decadespublic years as executive service, capped by nine Naval & Maritime director of Patriots Point Museum. Prior Burdette served to that, as a colonel Reserve and in the Army spent town administrat 25 years as Mount Pleasant or. Burdette plans later this month. to retire from Patriots Point “If the world was full of bureaucrats like See BURDETTE, Page 14
Who is Projects, companiesbuilding what in the Charleston , prices, projected area? timelines, photos and stories. Page 15
R
Jeongeun Lee6 won the U.S. Women’s Open Championship and $1 million at the Country Club of Charleston. The amount was the highest ever awarded at the Women’s Open. The open also served as a tourism draw for local, regional and national exposure for the venue and the region. (Photos/Kim McManus)
that’s a benefit. The areas we promoted is the ability to get from downtown, to leave work early ... and get over here to the golf course.” The tournament was won by Jeongeun Lee6, who walked away with $1 million, the highest amount of money ever awarded at the Women’s Open. Prior to the tournament beginning, the USGA increased the purse for the Women’s Open by $500,000, for a total of $5.5 million distributed among the professional golfers. Lee6 has a numeral in her name because five other golfers are also named Jeongeun Lee. This was the second USGA event hosted by the Country Club of Charleston; the club also hosted the U.S. Wom-
en’s Amateur Championship in 2013. “For a lot of years, we’ve looked at Country Club of Charleston as a place we’d like to come,” said John Bodenhamer, senior managing director of championships for the USGA. “When we had the Women’s Amateur here a couple years ago ... it reinforced that we really wanted to bring this championship to this particular golf course.” Sawicki said that when locating a championship, the organization considers the quality of the golf course, the ability for the community to engage and the infrastructure to support an international sporting event. Charleston met all three requirements. The 2012 PGA Championship on
otherNEWSMAKERS Mac Burdette retired as executive director of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum after nine years, a job that capped a decades-long career of public service. Prior to Patriots Point, Burdette served as a colonel in the Army Reserve and spent 25 years as Mount Pleasant town administrator. Burdette was replaced by Larry Murray, former director of vehicle services for the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles.
Photo/Kim McManus
16 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
Page 8
Burdette reflects on 30-plus years of working in Mount Pleasant
Manufacturing
A look at the trends and data shaping this high-growth , advanced sector. Page 9
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction List: Engineering ............... 15 Jeongeun Lee6 Companies..................... won the U.S. Women’s .... 19 Bonus List: Area Open at the Country Attractions.. 21 Club of Charleston At Work ................... Organizers said . ...........23 Peer to Peer ................... the multiday event brought millions in income .....26 Hot Properties .....................28 and exposure Viewpoint ................... to the Charleston region ........29 and South Carolina. Day in the Life .................... PAGE 8 30 Photos/Kim
ecord-breaking heat struck Charleston at the end of May, but it didn’t stop 156 golfers and tens of thousands of spectators from converging on the Country Club of Charleston for the 74th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. “I really didn’t expect this kind of weather in May,” two-time Women’s Open champion Inbee Park said during practice rounds. “So, yeah, I think it’s going to be a little bit of a surprise to everyone, but the summer has begun.” Matt Sawicki, championship director for the U.S. Golf Association, said the Women’s Open was different from previous area sporting events because of its proximity to downtown Charleston. “The largest sporting events that have occurred really have occurred ... on Kiawah Island or Daniel Island,” he said. “Being so close to downtown, I’m not sure that the town has hosted a sporting event so close to downtown on a national scale, and ultimately I think
See PLASTICS,
‘I’ve been incredibly blessed’
CHARLESTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION
By Patrick Hoff
No. 13 • $2.25
lsegrist@scb
deems an acceptable iznews.com replacement. Target now few months uses thicker tic takeout containers merchandise after carryout and gives customers bags for using limited single-use a new ordinance plastic options for cardboard, or are plastics in Mount discount for each a five-cent Pleasant, made from compostab reusable bag materials, for ing to the new area businesses are adjust- Walmart touts its they example. On le thicker carryout bring. ers, paper straws regulations restaurant countwashable and Grocers, pharmacies . bags as have reusable up Jennifer Ferrebee, replaced plastic. to versions are and big-box have replaced still made of 125 times. Both chain stores Both plastic bags Verde with her who co-owns the salad plastic, however. with CVS thicker plastic husband, Sam, versions, which paper bags or use paper and Publix in Mount Pleasant have used eco-friendl said bags. the ordinance now ing in y products since they 2011. While Restaurants openthe new regulations also have exchanged their plasdo
Kiawah Island, one of the most recent golf championships to be played in the Charleston region, generated approximately $92.2 million in economic impact from non-local visitors, including ticketholders, players, caddies, officials and staff, according to the College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis. The USGA predicted that the economic impact of the Women’s Open would be $25 million. Wayne Smith, chair of the CofC hospitality and tourism management department, said the tournament was expected to draw about 100,000 spectators. The PGA will hold its 2021 PGA Championship on Kiawah Island. CRBJ
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 6.24.19 Issue
June 24 - July
7, 2019 • www.char
Stepping down
Army Corps of Engineers dredges Intracoastal Waterway
lestonbusiness.com
Presidential cand idates outline plans By Patrick Hoff for equitable prosp erity Volume 25,
Route guidanc
e Transit planners evaluate route alternatives for Lowcountry Rapid Transit. Page 17
F
Soccer team shoots for downtown T
International African American Museum to resign in August CEO return to private and sector. Page 5
Untying traffic
Lowcountry businesses pledge to help alleviate rush hour frustrations. Page 18
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
Agency of record
Marketing company Rawle Murdy sold to Washington, D.C.-based firm. Page 13
INSIDE
Upfront........................... ..... 4 Best Advice......... ................. 6 In Focus: Transportati on and Infrastructur e.............. 17 List: Largest Employers... .. 20 Bonus List: Business Communication Companies..2 At Work ................... 2
...........25 Hot Properties .....................28 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life .................... 30
CLEANING UP The Army Corps
of Engineers has been dredging Waterway in the parts of the Atlantic Charleston area Intracoastal this month to ensure recreationa commercial vessels l boaters and can continue to traverse the marine highway.
PAGE 10
Photo/Patrick
C
rossing over the Isle of Palms Connector or the Ben Sawyer Bridge during the early weeks of summer, drivers saw the Army Corps of Engineers’ latest project to support the Lowcountry’s marinebased economy: the dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The waterway serves ports from Boston to Key West, Fla., through several natural and man-made waterways and canals, allowing recreational boats and commercial fishing and cargo vessels to travel without venturing out into the open ocean. The dredging work took place at Breach Inlet, but the scope of the project ran from Charleston to Georgetown and consisted of dredging the waterway to
Hoff
The costliest to hit the S.C. storms
By Patrick Hoff
he Charleston is considering Battery soccer team Charleston aftera move to downtown its home stadium sold at the end was of last month. MUSC Health which has been Stadium on Daniel Island, home to the almost two decades, soccer team for was sold for to HP1990DI $6.48 million LLC, Holder Properties. a division of Atlanta-bas ed The sale of the stadium month after came Holder Properties just over a adjacent office building, which bought the occupied for nearly 20 years. Blackbaud has “Because of the way the and how all parking works that plays together are games, when there with people coming and it makes a whole going, control of both lot more sense if you have ter,” said John properties to manage that betHolder, chairman Holder Properties. and CEO of Holder said his company plans to redevelop is working on the property tery relocates. after the BatThe team could potentially move to See BATTERY, Page 12
Hurricane season coast has begun, which means it’s time to stock up on supplies. Page 4
the federally authorized depth of 12 feet. The waterway has existed for decades, and sediment that runs through rivers ends up drifting to the bottom when the current slows. The sediment builds up, reducing the depth of the waterway and making it more difficult for some vessels to traverse. According to Brad Pickel, executive director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, a Beaufort-based nonprofit that advocates for funding and maintenance of the water, the most problematic areas are rivers or inlets, like Breach Inlet, where waterways meet and sediment is deposited almost daily. “We also have storm impacts,” Pickel said. “And when you have
A dredge pumps material from the bottom of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway onto the dredge material placement area. The dredge typically has 13 crew members. (Photo/Patrick Hoff)
storm impacts, you get a ton of material moving around, and it can build up and create new shoals in new areas.” Pickel said most people probably notice the recreational boaters on the waterway, but the Intracoastal Waterway is also crucial for a variety of commercial operations. For example, Pickel said Yonges Island-based Stevens Towing ships pig iron and scrap metal along the waterway. “So we have that commercial operation that’s very important because they’re able to utilize the waterway to move material that they then don’t have to put on trucks,” Pickel said. “Because you can’t really get to the steel mill very easily by train.” If the waterway wasn’t maintained, Pickel said, some companies would ship cargo on trucks, which costs more and adds to traffic. Trucking cargo also adds wear and tear to roadways, which are more expensive to maintain than a waterway. Others, such as the Marine Corps, which ships jet fuel to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on the Intracoastal Waterway, would have to ride the tides and load lighter shipments, because jet fuel can’t be transported by truck. The waterway also supports small fishing villages, Pickel said, and improper maintenance would be devastating to those local economies.
“The waterway provides a number of jobs and economic support to towns, which then leads to tax base, which then leads to other services that can then be supported by some of these smaller fishing villages and smaller towns,” Pickel said. Pickel said the S.C. stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway hasn’t been too bad recently, but in years past, the Coast Guard has had to advise certain vessels to pass only at high tide. It will have to do the same now in other areas of the waterway. “What often happens is it won’t get to the point where a vessel literally can’t pass, but what it will get is to where a vessel can only pass at the highest of high tides,” Pickel said. “So then you’re finding out that your waterway is fully accessible two hours a day.” Crews from the Army Corps of Engineers evaluate the conditions of the waterway every six to 12 months to keep track of places in need of maintenance. The Army Corps’ Charleston District contracts out the dredging; this project is being completed by Goodloe Marine Inc. Jeremy Johnson, the Army Corps’ project manager for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, said the dredge typically has a crew of about 13 people. Approximately 500,000 cubic yards of material, or 50,000 dump trucks’ worth, was pumped from the waterway floor into the dredge material placement area. Johnson said he didn’t expect any adverse effects to marine life or the surrounding environment from the project, citing the federal government’s strict policies regarding environmental impact. The project cost $9.4 million, which came from hurricane relief funds appropriated by Congress. CRBJ
otherNEWSMAKERS The Lowcountry Rapid Transit project came out of the Berkeley-CharlestonDorchester Council of Governments’ I-26Alt study, a 15-month analysis intended to identify transit alternatives along the Interstate 26 corridor between Summerville and Charleston. The study recommended a 26-mile bus rapid transit system along U.S. Highways 78 and 52, running parallel to I-26. Lowcountry Rapid Transit expects to begin construction on the project in 2023 and open in 2025.
18 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
No. 14 • $2.25
phoff@scbiz ulation denied news.com equal access to education, access to markets, our Democratic equal equal access and presidential to health care works to improve employmen spent the day hopefuls affectsdon’t think that that’s opportunities t and wealth in not a cancer the body as for black Americans month making Charleston earlier this that a whole,” New South Carolina Cory Booker . the case for would improve Jersey Sen. gets a lot of said how they the first-in-the ance’s Presidential at the Black Economic Americans if economic prosperity for -South primary. attention as black Candidates Forum, Alli- ry will be elected to the The primaheld Feb. 29 office in 2020. country’s highest kicked off the official which and after caucuses presidential Nevada and South Carolina. season in “You cannot the New Hampshire in Iowa But the first have large sections The Black Economic primary. test in the South of your popCarolina. belongs to South Alliance al nonprofit based in Washingtonis a nation, D.C., that See CANDIDATES , Page 8
Other municipalities across the U.S. have bus rapid transit systems, like this bus line operating in Everett Wash. (Photo/Grady Johnson)
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 7.22.19 Issue
July 22 - August
Honderd takes command of Army Corps of Engineers
lestonbusiness.com
Experts discuss intersection of business, educatio n Volume 25,
Shifting to digital
By Patrick Hoff
4, 2019 • www.char
Regulating rentals
Mount Pleasant passes first reading of proposed short-term rental ordinance. Page 6
By Patrick Hoff
T
news.com
DHEC objects to offshore oil, gas survey permit
More banks consider consolidation as customers shift to a digital marketplace for banking and finance. Page 15
Bonsall in power
Santee Cooper names new CEO in wake of nuclear plant project’s demise. Page 11
S
Capitalizing
Pittsburgh bank looking find more opportunity to Charleston financial in sector. Page 16
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Banking and Finance ......... 15 List: Banks.......... ............... 21 Bonus List: Financial Brokerage Firms ................23 At Work ................... ...........25 Peer to Peer ................... .....27 Hot Properties .....................28 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life .................... 30
CHANGE OF
COMMAND Military units across the Lowcountry have seen a change past month, including in leadership over the Coast Guard the Cutter Hamilton, Charleston and Naval Consolidated the Army Corps Brig of Engineers, Charleston District. Page 8 Photo/Petty Officer
3rd Class Ryan
Dickinson for the
Coast Guard
Operation Hope
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
outh Carolina pany’s federal has objected to a commit applicationseismic surveying per, potentially WesternGeco stopping LLC from surveying for and natural gas United States. off the Atlantic Coast of oil the The decision S.C. Departmen comes after a review by the tal Control and t of Health and Environme garnered 1,720 a public comment period nthat said all of the statements. The departmen comments opposed t shore seismic either offsurveying or drilling activities future offshore that could follow veys. the sur“DHEC has veying activitiesdetermined that seismic surproposed may significantl by y impact the WesternGeco recreational fisheries that commercial and tial economic provide substanbenefit its coastal communiti of South Carolina and es,” wrote Christophe Stout, DHEC’s Section manager,Coastal Zone Consistenc r y in a letter Geco. to WesternStout added that seismic surveying is a See SEISMIC, Page 7
Organization that focuses on access to credit and financial literacy opens location in South Carolina. Page 18
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t. Col. Rachel Honderd took command of the Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District from Lt. Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, making Charleston the only district in the country with a female district commander, female senior civilian and female division commander. “Though I still don’t work for a woman, it’s pretty neat to have two in one district — a commander and her deputy,” said Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division. “And then, yeah, to have three of us sit in a room and have this conversation
is pretty new, but I think that speaks to why the Corps of Engineers is such a strong organization.” Palazzini’s is now assigned to the College of International Security Affairs at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Honderd has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Western Washington University, a master’s degree in public administration from Augusta State University, and a master’s in construction management from the University of Washington. She is also a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., with a language certification in Arabic. Holland said that she wasn’t sure how useful an Arabic language certification would be in Charleston, but she was sure the Charleston District would find a way to make use of all of Honderd’s skills.
Honderd most recently served as deputy commander of the Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District in Illinois. Prior to that she served as a civil works project manager in the Seattle District, an operating project manager and deputy commander at Libby Dam, Mont., and deputy commander in the Kansas City and Afghanistan districts. Lisa Metheney, deputy district engineer for programs and project management, and the senior civilian at the Charleston District, said it’s an asset to have a commander who has previous corps experience. “When we get new commanders in that have been in that deputy role or have been in multiple districts ... that’s a really valuable piece,” Metheney said. “Because what that does for us is there’s not the learning curve of what are the acronyms and what exactly do we do. There’s a good foundation there.”
Lt. Col. Rachel Honderd, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District, took over for Lt. Col. Jeffrey Palazzini over the summer. (Photos/Provided)
otherNEWSMAKERS Mark Bonsall, a 41-year utility industry veteran, was named the new president and CEO of Santee Cooper. Bonsall, who most recently served as CEO of the Arizona-based Salt River Project, was approved by the Santee Cooper board in early July. The board also approved the hiring of Charles Duckworth, who also worked for the Salt River Project, as deputy CEO and chief of planning. Duckworth is in charge of the state-owned utility’s future resource planning. Former Santee Cooper CEO Lonnie Carter resigned in August 2017 in the wake of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project, co-owned by Santee Cooper and S.C. Electric & Gas. Carter spent 35 years at the utility, including 13 as president and CEO.
20 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
Mark Bonsall was named presdient and CEO of Santee Cooper in 2019. (Photo/Provided)
No. 16 • $2.25
phoff@scbiz
Charleston County Gerrita Postlewait Schools Superinten he Lowcountr dent Alliance; said at the nal’s Power y needs to Breakfast event Business Jour- at Charitythe Rev. Nelson Rivers educational close the attainment last month. III, pastor Missionary gap to stay until we’re ready ... to fundament globally competitiv “But Laura Baptist Church; the way we Varn, vice president regional education ally e, according and of people and to talent and organize the system and change ture and communic and business but the problem culemploy time and other experts, The event was ations at Parkland USA. comes with resources, we tions. no easy solu- not have a different outcome.” in hosted in will with Tri-County conjunction Postlewait was “We can tinker Cradle to joined on the with the system fast panel by Power Break- rative’s fifth annual regional Career Collaboall we want,” David that was released education report of the Charleston Ginn, president and in April, titled CEO Regional Developme Disruption. nt See EDUCATION, Page 10
CRBJ
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 8.19.19 Issue
August 19 -
September
Volume 25,
Facts and figures
Phase 1 of WestEdge development draws to a close
lestonbusiness.com
Museum efforts renewed in Mou nt Pleasant
L
Market Facts highlights data for Lowcountry trends and indicators to help small and midsize businesses. Inside
Up on the roof
Turns out people enjoy experiencing the outdoors on top of a building. Page 6
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
END OF THE
THE BEGINNING nears Phase 1 completion, downtown Charleston development in on the edge of Charleston. As the WestEdge in development for the next step plans take shape Page 10
Trident Tech to open Dorchester County campus
T
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
rident Technical to open a campus College is preparing in Summervil year, the le next in Dorchester first technical college campus County. The county had been in Trident Tech for several yearsdiscussions with a campus, trying to secure President because Dorchester Mary Thornley said, a technical college County felt that having would help woo development economic clients. “This is the result of several versation, and years of conI where we have see this as really the first step a more major Dorchester County,” presence in Thornley According to said. county numbers, the 12,148 students 22.4% of enrolled in Trident in fall 2018 were Tech need to bring from Dorchester County. a The was identified campus to Dorchester County by County Council tegic plan for Dorchester County. in the stra“We didn’t go knock on their ‘We’re ready,’ ” Thornley said. door and say, on our door and said, ‘We’ve“They knocked about this.’ ” been talking The county is renovating a former See TRIDENT TECH, Page 9
Executive shift
Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union appoints new president and COO. Page 12
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... In Focus: Health ................. 4 List: Retirement Care ......... 17 Communities .....................22 Bonus List: Home Health Care Companies At Work ................... ......23 ...........25 Hot Properties .....................28 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life .................... 30 Photo/Patrick
Hoff
hospital
The MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Women’s Pavilion Tourville is nearly open. Page 17
WestEdge encompasses 60 acres of city-owned land, MUSC Foundation-owned land and some private parcels such as the Charleston Marriott. The development brought a grocery store to the community in March. (Photos/ Patrick Hoff)
T
he first phase of a major development that is bringing offices, retail spaces and new apartments to Charleston’s Westside has reached completion. WestEdge, a large-scale development bounded by Lockwood Boulevard, Fishburne Street, Hagood Avenue and Spring Street, has completed its three initial buildings, with the third completing construction earlier this month. WestEdge encompasses 60 acres of city-owned land, MUSC Foundation-owned land and some private parcels such as the Charleston Marriott. The private land is part of the WestEdge area but not part of the redevelopment. To implement the master-planned redevelopment, the MUSC Foundation and the city formed the nonprofit WestEdge Foundation. The WestEdge Foundation also has the option to sell about 26 acres of city- and MUSC-owned land parcels to private developers. “For us, it’s important just to create the vitality of the place, but also to provide an opportunity for the full range of people who work in the medical district to be able to live close by,” said Michael Maher, CEO of the WestEdge Foundation. “So that’s always been important and will continue to be important for us.” Maher worked for the city for more than a decade before becoming CEO of the foundation. The project’s beginnings date to the early 2000s, when Charleston decided it wanted to revitalize the Westside by bringing more housing and commercial space to the development. “We did set out a goal to set a high bar, and not just in terms of the quality of the buildings, but working hard to try to attract a really interesting mix of 22 WestEdge is the final building in the first phase of the mixed-use development on Charleston’s Westside. (Photo/Patrick Hoff)
otherNEWSMAKERS A pavilion at The Bend in North Charleston neared completion in August, making it the first structure in a series of projects on the 20-acre property. The Bend is located at 3775 Azalea Drive, on land previously occupied by the Ashley Shores subdivision, a riverfront community of town houses and apartments. Since The Pearlstine Co. acquired the land in 2015, the land has been cleaned up and has hosted a variety of public events, including birdwatching groups, photography classes and live music performances. Photo/Provided
tenants,” Maher said. “It’s not just about WestEdge. It’s about the Westside.” For example, he said, the Publix at 10 WestEdge is a resource for the community, not just the residents of WestEdge. “Clearly it’s a game changer for the Westside, having a large grocery like that,” Maher said. “That makes it possible ... for people to ride their bike over there. I’ve seen a number of families coming over riding bikes to get groceries.” Maher said the next phase of WestEdge has multiple pathways, one of which would be to begin development across the street from 22 WestEdge and 10 WestEdge. A big consideration, though, is flood mitigation for WestEdge because the property is built on landfill. Mitigation would include diversion of some of the wetlands, which requires a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, and construction of new subsurface infrastructure to better encapsulate the landfill. Maher said the approach for developing across the street from 99 and 22 WestEdge would vary depending on whether WestEdge’s application to modify the wetlands is approved. “Either way, we would develop that area to support what’s already in the momentum of Phase 1,” Maher said. The development also has two “padready sites” at the corner of Fishburne and WestEdge streets, Maher said, which could be used by a company that is considering a downtown Charleston location. Maher said the WestEdge Foundation is also working with the Marriott to fully connect WestEdge Street to Lockwood Drive at some point. “For me, that will be the point where this thing is fulfilling the vision,” Maher said. CRBJ
No. 18 • $2.25
Foundation
, formed earlier this year, is soliciting donations ess than a year from public, private and corpo- talk about that next after a nonprofit rate donors to build a heritage that Mount year or next Pleasant wasn’t decided ing Medal month.’ We center honor- don’t want to do that. of Honor place for the best We want to encourage “When you have recipients by July 4, 2023. a sense of urgency to a new nonprofitits Medal of Honor museum, build this museum a 10-year plan, honor these in the shuffle,” heroes.” fulfill promises has emerged that intends it gets lost to foundation Chairman McQueeney feel have been that some in the Lowcountrto McQueeney said. said the project Tommy itage “You lose the broken. y You really is called a hercenter because enthusiasm. The National don’t in addition to it also could Medal of Honor enough. There’s reward your donors a museum, house meeting fast Heritage that just I think people too many sides to that a chapel, a gift shop, and and event space, are likely to the offices for say, ‘Well, let’s the See MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM, Page 8
The heart of the
By Patrick Hoff
22 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
1, 2019 • www.char
“Operating in Charleston for nearly a century has given us a long-term perspective and a strong appreciation for all things local: our community, customers and employees. Our bank is no different and South State has been a great partner to us. Whatever our needs, they’ve been there for us.” Dillard Stevens
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Richard Salmons Jr. PRESIDENT
Richard Salmons III COMMERCIAL DIVER
Salmons Dredging
NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 9.16.19 Issue
September
16 - 29, 2019
Emanuel memoria
l Foundation makes $1 million donation to memorial honoring Emanuel fund victims. Page 6
Volvo Interchange opens in Berkeley County
• www.char
lestonbusiness.com
Employers incre ase benefits to compete By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz
A
T
Industry initiative
Council on Competitive ness working with tech partners in South Carolina. Page 20
INSIDE
Photo/S.C. Department
SHIFTING FOCUS
of Transportation
A new Interstate 26 interchange that opened to more than the serve the Volvo fulfillment of part Car plant represents of an incentive package that helped South Carolina. The road also opens lure the carmaker the northern part to toward economic of the Charleston development and region to a shift commerce in the area between Summerville and Columbia. Page 8
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
he National Labor Relations has ruled that Boeing South Board lina’s flight line workers Carounionize as cannot a separate group, reversing previous decision a by the NLRB’s director and regional vacating the May 2018 vote. certification of a The Internation ists and Aerospaceal Association of MachinWorkers to continue the organizing said it intends Boeing South campaign at Carolina, but that might mean it’s unclear what given the NLRB’s The board said ruling. had expressed in its opinion that the union an unwillingn ing to proceed ess with an election at the hearworkers beyond that included the After a union flight line. union was soundlyvote in 2017 in which the rejected, the its offices on IAM closed Dorchester Road and has reopened. not Flight readiness technicians at the North Charleston facilityand inspectors to join the IAM. voted 104-65 Boeing appealed the results See BOEING, Page
By Patrick Hoff
Help wanted:
Tech workers
Colleges and economic developers focus on growing a tech workforce. Page 16
The new Interstate 26 interchange that opened to serve the Volvo Car plant represents more than the fulfillment of part of an incentive package that helped lure the carmaker to South Carolina. The road also opens the northern part of the Charleston region to a shift toward economic development and commerce in the area between Summerville and Columbia. (Photo/ S.C. Department of Transportation; Inset: Photo/Patrick Hoff)
T
he Interstate 26 Volvo Interchange has opened in Ridgeville, allowing greater access to Berkeley County’s Volvo Cars campus and the nearby Camp Hall industrial commerce park. “It wasn’t so long ago this was a really sleepy part of Berkeley County,” Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said. “And all of a sudden, boom, there’s a whole lot going on here. ... We’re really excited about the pressure that’ll come
off (S.C.) Highway 27.” Santee Cooper bought the 6,800-acre Camp Hall commerce park to attract Volvo to South Carolina, which chose the site in 2015. Exeter Property Group bought a 77-acre tract within the site earlier this year and plans to build a logistics park with three speculative buildings totaling 945,000 square feet of space for industrial, bulk warehouse and distribution tenants.
“We really are trying to create a new business area out here,” said Robby Robbins, chairman of the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission. “We want to create jobs in western Berkeley County. And this concept is years in the making. But we hope to change some traffic patterns and have people coming out here to work.” Robbins added that the interchange will also immediately alleviate traffic in residential neighborhoods that previ-
otherNEWSMAKERS Hurricane Dorian flooded streets, knocked down trees and left thousands of people without power in September, but the storm left very little major damage across the Charleston region. The storm was a Category 5 when it stalled over the Bahamas and devastated the islands, but Dorian had weakened to a Category 3 hurricane as it passed the S.C. coast. The eye of the storm did not make landfall on the Palmetto State. Gov. Henry McMaster issued an evacuation order as the storm approached.
24 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
ously had been used as thoroughfares to the Volvo campus. Road work on the interchange began in September 2017, with bridge construction beginning the following month. The $50.4 million, threeleg interchange, which includes both at-grade and flyover ramps, is at exit 189. Construction was completed by The Conti Group, based in Edison, N.J. “This is an example of teamwork,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. CRBJ
Many businesses in the Charleston area saw some property damage from Hurricane Dorian. (Photo/Patrick Hoff)
Trees caused damage and power outages during Hurricane Dorian. (Photo/ McLaughlin Design & Photography)
No. 20 • $2.25
Union vows to fight on after NLRB ruling
Dorian’s swipe
Hurricane Dorian grazed the Lowcountry with outages, downed power trees and frayed nerves. Page 12
Cutting costs
WestRock reconfigures in North Charleston, plant cuts 260 jobs. Page 6
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Information Technology ..... 17 List: IT Services and Networking Companies ......22 Bonus List: Charter Schools .................23 At Work ................... ...........25 Peer to Peer ................... Viewpoint ................... .....27 ........29 Hot Properties .................... 30
Volume 25,
in labor market
news.com The chamber has conducted survey every other year since this type of for the tight labor market across Sometimes the chamber. “And the late 1990s. country has the Lowit also allows panies to appropriate the industrial survey has focused strictly led employers for comsectors in the larger ly on to offer area, Charleston metro heading into the next budget for labor costs but robust benefitssalary increases and year.” more region’s often the survey examines A total of survey conductedpackages, according business sectors, all of the ers responded 51 Charleston-area employas this year’s by the Charleston to a “Our members Chamber of to the survey, did. Metro Commerce’s come to rely Center for Business mation as one of on the infor- about 10.2% of all employees representing Research. Three-quarters in vide to them,” the many resources we of the employers the region. pro- have said Tina Wirth, a location in president of said they regional advanceme senior vice Charleston County, nt and talent 24% See BENEFITS, Page 10
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 10.14.19 Issue
October 14
- 27, 2019 • www.char
lestonbusiness.com
Legislator want s vape Standalone health care
Trident Health breaks ground on new freestanding ER. Page 6
By Shamira smccray@sc
McCray
sales halted pend ing more research Volume 25,
No. 22 • $2.25
that people are biznews.com the sale of vape misinformed and that halting State Rep. Wendell products would deaths have been G. Gilliard of E-cigarettes, kill business. has asked Gov. confirmed in Charleston 15 states. “You cannot ing a liquid to known as vapes, work by sales of all vapingHenry McMaster to stop stand by idly heatproduce an aerosol the products in that is inhaled ing about all these incidents,” after we are hearuntil further South Carolina into the lungs. studies can be Gilliard said. In a letter to As of done what products McMaster dated are causing people to determine ciated Oct. 1, 1,080 lung injury liard said he Sept. 17, Gilwith the use wanted to help cases assoGilliard said of e-cigarettes of not just young vaping products harm. ensure the safety products ulated more. adults but of But some vape need to be reg- Disease have been reported to the or vaping all S.C. citizens. “Until further Centers for shop owners Control and studies are Prevention from say and one believe vaping conducted, U.S. territory, should cease the agency said. 48 states since there are I Eighteen so See VAPING, Page
Dutch Dialogues presents potential path out of flooding
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 Vantage Point ..................... 14 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering & Construction ................... 15 List: Landscape Architecture Firms.............................
People in the News...............26 ...29 Business Digest.......... Viewpoint ............................29 ........ 31
By Patrick Hoff
The Dutch Dialogues focused on four areas of the city, selected based on the area’s need and the ability to replicate solutions in other areas of the city. (Photo/File; Graphic/Provided)
FLOOD CONT ROL
Nine months have produced of study and discussion by the Dutch Dialogue without floodeda report that outlines a potential s team streets, future will take years homes and businesses. But for Charleston of cooperation implementation and funding. Page 12
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
harleston Internation al Airport has introduced a new fee for by ride-hailin drop-offs g companies disappointment , to the of Uber and The $3.25 drop-off Lyft. fee is in line ilar fees charged by other airports with simcountry, said across the airport CFO is the airport’s Doug Boston, $3.50 pickup as required from fee, which it has ride-hailing they started servicing the companies since airport in 2015. According to Raleigh-Durham a survey conducted by International median pickup fee charged by Airport, the and the median airports is $3.16 drop-off fee is $3.09. The pickup and drop-off fees, and Lyft pass on to passengers, which Uber fees that the are the ride-hailing companies pay, only Boston said it’s and to the fees that hard to compare those fees “hold lot fee, taxis pay: $120 for an annual ” which allows them to park airport, and $200 per month at the airport. to operate at the Henry Fishburne Jr., chairman finance committee of the Charleston of the County See RIDE-HAILING , Page 10
CHARLESTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION Who is building what in the Projects, companies , prices, projected Charleston area? timelines, photos and stories. Page 17
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fter a trip to the Netherlands and nine months of study by a private group, the city of Charleston has a Dutch-inspired plan to combat flooding and better manage the region’s natural aquatics. “We always treated water like the enemy,” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said. “We had to fight Mother Nature and push it out and all like that. But we need to ... find a place for water, be a little more respectful of water.” Dutch Dialogues Charleston, conducted by The Water Institute of the Gulf, Louisiana-based firm Waggonner & Ball Architecture & Environment, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was a study that began in January to find better ways for Charleston to manage rising sea level, hurricanes and ordinary rainfall to prevent flooding in the city. “This is going to continue to happen,” said Dale Morris, director of strategic partnerships at The Water Institute of the Gulf and co-leader of Dutch Dialogues Charleston. “So you can prepare for it or you can respond to it. Preparedness is cheaper.” The project was funded by the city of Charleston, Historic Charleston Foundation, the American Flood Coalition, the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Water System, The Nature Conservancy and the Clemson Design Center. Prior to the Dutch Dialogues, city staff, members of Historic Charleston Foundation and other community leaders took a trip to the Netherlands to explore some of the country’s strategies. “For the Dutch government, their approach to water management is really like their national security — it’s almost like our Department of Defense,” said Winslow Hastie, president and CEO of Historic Charleston Foundation. “That’s a huge national
otherNEWSMAKERS Craftsman Capers Landrum Cauthen said he normally meets people in a workshop, covered in sawdust and glue. But he hopes to now be able to meet and greet people on a retail level at Landrum Tables’ new brick-and-mortar space in downtown Charleston. The new retail shop opened in September at 60 Broad St., in a shared space with Cecil Byrne Gallery. Cauthen said his retail sales were traditionally out of his warehouse. Cauthen, a Charleston native, said he has been building furniture since 2005. After Hurricane Hugo, he said he noticed a lot of wood being thrown out. “In my mind, I was like, somebody needs to save this wood,” Cauthen said.
26 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
C
Keeping it small
Small businesses are a large proportion of S.C. companies. Page 2
INSIDE
Landrum Tables opened a retail location on Broad Street to complement the company’s reclaimed wood manufacturing business. (Photo/ Shamira McCray)
8
CHS adds new drop-off fee for ride-hailing
The issue on the table
Landrum Tables proprietor ready to greet customers in his new retail location. Page 7
We know sports
Sports publication rates Charleston the No. 3 minor league market in the U.S. Page 3
security priority for us, like it or not. For them, it’s about water, and so it’s woven into everything they do.” Dutch Dialogues is an initiative developed after Hurricane Katrina by David Waggonner of Waggonner & Ball; Paul Farmer, former CEO of the American Planning Association; and Morris, formerly an economist for the Royal Netherlands Embassy in the United States, to study how the Dutch manage water and model those solutions in New Orleans. The Charleston Dutch Dialogues focused on four areas of the city, selected based on the area’s need and the ability to replicate solutions in other areas of the city with similar features — Johns Island, Church Creek, the Eastside and the medical district. The 250-page report produced by the Dutch Dialogues Charleston team outlines specific recommendations for each of the areas, with several overarching themes for the city. The team recommended restoration and preservation of natural protective features, such as sand dunes, marshes and wetlands; creation of a regional water management plan; use of public amenities such as parks, schools and streets to store rainwater instead of having it build up on impermeable surfaces; and steering development in ways that adhere to nature, such as building on high ground and planning developments based on the natural flow of water and drainage. The next steps, Tecklenburg said, are to continue the conversations with the community and make sure city plans and projects align with the Dutch Dialogues recommendations. Hastie said any success implementing the Dutch Dialogues recommendations will require a unified approach from Charleston residents, businesses and government leaders. CRBJ
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 10.28.19 Issue
October 28-Novem
Primary care
ber 10, 2019
Senior-focused health care facility opens in North Charleston. Page 12
Transit mileston
e U.S. Transportati on Department approves next phase for bus rapid transit. Page 15
Goose Creek to become an electric city
Rural expansio
n
MUSC to file certificates of need for expansive health care program.rural Page 13
New publishe
r The Charleston City Paper has been sold, with publisher taking a new the helm. Page 15
• www.char
lestonbusiness.com
Goose Creek con siders becomin g elec
Volume 12,
FOUNDATIO NAL IMPACT An economic impact University of South analysis by economists at the $63.4 billion impact,Carolina found S.C. ports have a providing a foundatio Palmetto State’s global economic n for the reach. Page 6
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs........... ..... 2 ..... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Financial Services...... ........ 19 List: Credit Unions......... ..... 21 Bonus List: Accounting Firms.......... .....22 At Work ...................
...........25 Hot Properties .....................27 Viewpoint ................... ........29 Day in the Life ..................... 31
Duke’s v. Duke spreads angst over legacy
A
By Ross Norton
rnorton@scb iznews.com
n enterprisin g Eugenia Duke well during did so the early part of century that she separated the 20th nesses into a sandwich company her busionnaise company and a maysion ever arrived. before the Great DepresShe sold the sandwich company bookkeeper to her after her mayonnais World War I and later sold e of Richmond, company to the C.F. Sauer Va. Now, almost Co. it’s Duke’s v. a century later, Duke as the owners of the onnaise (and mayother of the sandwiches products) sue the owners (and other infringing on the Duke name products) for and logo. The sandwich wich Co., Duke company is now Duke SandBrands and is based in Greenville with Duke Foods. It Main Street. headquarters Duke’s Mayonnais on distinctive label e remained a company has among the Sauer brands. That a The board of condiment plant in Mauldin. the pany, now called 132-year-old Sauer comearlier this year Sauer Brands, announced that it was selling the enterSee DUKE, Page
By Patrick Hoff
What entrepre
neurs need
Area startup economy regionalized efforts matures, with and growing of large-scale manufacturers. impact Page 19
Century Aluminum shut down one of the two pot lines at its Mt. Holly aluminum smelter in 2015. citing the cost of electricity from Santee Cooper. (Photo/File)
CRBJ
otherNEWSMAKERS Three new, 155-foot cranes arrived at the S.C. Ports Authority’s Wando Terminal in Mount Pleasant in October, adding to the port’s capacity to service larger ships. The new cranes, made by China-based Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., will be erected one at a time, with the first slated to be operational in January. All three new cranes should be operational by May. The first shipment of the taller cranes came in August 2016, and the most recent shipment arrived in March 2018. New, large cranes making the final journey through Charleston Harbor. (Photo/Patrick Hoff)
28 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
No. 23 • $2.25
tric city
By Patrick Hoff
phoff@scbiz news.com
Santee Cooper, which provides to Century Aluminum electricity oose Creek could Century Aluminum by contract, ing the move grow by 5,000 is opposif a ballot referendum on the grounds beginning in acres 2021; that the state- aluminum smelter’s to start a munic- owned utility has the ipal electric current contract the Santee Cooper rights and serve Century move that proponentsutility passes Nov. with expires Aluminum and obligation to The S.C. Constitutioon Dec. 31, 2020. say would provide5, a rounding acres its 5,000 sureconomic boost in the n allows pality to establish an If voters approve Mt. Holly area. Aluminum to to the city and allow Century a public utility any municinearly double the Goose Creek the majority utility, the city of voters. South if approved by its workforce. electric Carolina smelter so as would annex the aluminum cities that operate municipal electric has 21 to begin providing utilities, electricity to See GOOSE CREEK, Page 10
G
9
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NEWS MAKERS 2019
From the 11.25.19 Issue
November
25-December
Road expansi
on
State seeks public input on Interstate 526 Lowcountry Corridor West project. Page 10
Museum to tell the African American story By Shamira McCray
8, 2019 • www.char
lestonbusiness.com
Looking towar d the future
Volume 12,
Protected land
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens placed under conservation easement. Page 6
Hundreds gathered along Charlesto Africans entered n’s waterfront America. The where thousand International s of enslaved African American there is reshapin Museum being g how built Special section Charleston tells its story. begins on page 13
Overtime eligible
Department of Labor finalizes new overtime rule, raising salary threshold. Page 8
Decreasing rate
Boeing to cut production rate on 787 Dreamliner in late 2020. Page 30
INSIDE
Upfront........................... SC Biz News Briefs.......... ..... 2 ...... 3 Best Advice......... ................. 4 In Focus: Aerospace ................... ......29 List: Statewide Aviation & Aerospace Cos. .............. 31 Bonus List: Regional Airports ................... At Work ................... ..........33 ...........35 Viewpoint ................... ........37 Day in the Life .....................39
Growing industry
Experts say aerospace requires investments sector in technology, workforce over next 20 years. Page 29
E
Lucille Whipper (from left) and IAAM Board Chairman Wilbur E. Johnson share a moment after ground is turned to mark the next milestone in the construction of the International African American Museum. They were joined by Syasia Coaxum, a Burke High School senior; U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn; former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley; Rep. Joe Cunningham; and Freetown, Sierra Leone, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. (Photos/Kim McManus)
lijah Heyward III, COO of the International African American Museum, said there are countless untold stories of what African Americans have contributed to the community and nation. He said the goal of the museum will be to raise awareness about the African American experience in Charleston and beyond. The museum, to be built on the former site of Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, is expected to open in late 2021. Ships from Africa typically landed at Gadsden’s Wharf packed with captives who had endured the horrific ride to America where, if they survived, they would ultimately be sold as slaves. Heyward said the museum will tell American history through the lens of Charleston. He said one goal is to tell the story of the African American journey that started in Africa with pioneers in intellectual and technological advances. The journey was not by choice, but it has influenced the world, Heyward said. “So I think it’s important for us to tell a comprehensive story of the African American experience, one that has really had a global impact,” he said. U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham said the museum’s groundbreaking ceremony last month was a milestone that took 20 years to reach. “On this sacred ground, we will hold a mirror up to the horror and the cruelty that they faced,” Cunningham said. The problems that the nation is facing make it clear that there is still a great deal of pain that needs to be healed, Cunningham said. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, who was the first board chairman for the museum, argued that the African American museum could not just be about slavery. “It has to be about what African Americans are and can be and will be,” Clyburn said. CRBJ
otherNEWSMAKERS A Lowcountry tourist attraction has been protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement, guaranteeing that it will remain undeveloped. Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens’ conservation easement consists of about 598 acres, including 370 acres of forest and 1.5 miles of creek frontage. Under the easement, the McRae family, which owns Boone Hall, may use the property only for agriculture, education and tourism. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency to permanently limit use of the land. Landowners retain many rights, including the right to own and use the land, sell it and pass it on to their heirs.
30 Charleston Regional Business Journal | Newsmakers
Map/Lowcountry Land Trust
No. 25 • $2.25
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