2020 SCBIZ - Winter

WINTER 2020

Home grown Consumer demand for local food surges as pandemic alters eating habits

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County Spotlight: Horry | Trending: Agriculture in S.C. | S.C. Delivers

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Table of

CONTENTS AGRICULTURE IN S.C. 12 Locally grown food sees surge in demand

16 Innovative farming operation to open in Hampton County

BOEING S.C. 20 North Charleston facility to take on all 787 production in cost-cutting measure

Root vegetables at the Harp and Shamrock Croft in Spartanburg County. Many small, family-run farms have seen a surge in demand for locally grown food during the coronavirus pandemic. Story on page 12.

SPECIAL SECTION WHICH 20 LARGE AND 20 SMALL COMPANIES IN S.C. HAD THE FASTEST REVENUE GROWTH? FIND OUT IN THIS ISSUE OF SCBIZ.

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DEPARTMENTS 4 Upfront

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8 County Spotlight: Horry

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About the Cover: Strawberries, like these spring berries at Cottle Farms in Hopkins, are one of the locally produced foods in higher demand by S.C. consumers since pandemic-related lockdowns and restrictions significantly altered eating habits. (Photo/Provided by S.C. Department of Agriculture)

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Dear Reader,

EDITOR

As we head into the holiday season, more questions than answers exist as to what’s in store for the near future. The coronavirus pandemic continues its brutal assault on the health of humanity and the economy around the globe, and uncertainty has roiled the U.S. presidential election process.

Here in South Carolina, we still grapple with ways to stem the tide of the pandemic. Our economy has been hammered in many sectors, mainly the crucial tourism and hospitality industries, while others have rebounded and even seen robust growth.

The agricultural sector of our state economy has seen both sides of that economic seesaw. SC Biz News reporters delved into the ups and downs of the pandemic’s effects on agribusiness in the state.

Several trends emerged, namely a surge in consumer demand for locally grown food.

The state also announced its first large venture into Controlled Steve McDaniel Environment Agriculture with the development of the AgriculEditor, ture Technology Campus in Hampton County. It will facilitate the SCBIZ Magazine growth of produce year-round, conserve water for irrigation and increase production of crops that have typically been imported from other parts of the world.

Agriculture is not the only sector in the state feeling virus-related strains. The vital aerospace industry has been one of the worst affected by the pandemic. Boeing, already dealing with fallout from crashes and technological issues with its 737 planes, is now contending with slumping demand for all its planes, including the 787 that is built in North Charleston. Some of that fallout is actually benefiting Boeing SC, which will soon be the only production facility for all 787s. Boeing, in a cost-cutting move, is consolidating production of the 787 by moving all of that model’s manufacture to North Charleston.

The County Spotlight shines on Horry County, home to the Grand Strand, a hub of tourism that generates a large percentage of that sector’s economic impact on the state economy.

With tourism and hospitality numbers down sharply during the pandemic, Horry County officials are looking at ways to keep people and dollars flowing into businesses there.

This issue also features the annual Roaring Twenties, which honors the 20 large and 20 small companies that had the highest revenue growth in 2019.

We hope you enjoy the winter issue of SCBIZ magazine as we all look forward to a more normal, healthier 2021.

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UPFRONT regional news | data

S.C. companies honored for manufacturing excellence

By Ross Norton Editor

J

im Newsome, president and CEO of the S.C. Ports Authority, was presented the BlueCross BlueShield Manufacturing Lifetime Service Award during the Manufacturing Excellence Awards ceremony that anchors the final day of the 2020 S.C. Manufacturing Conference and Expo. The ceremony was hosted

by Grady Johnson, president of SC Biz News, and Matt Brewer, president of Choate Construction, co-presenter of the ceremony.

Newsome has served as president and CEO of the S.C. Ports Authority since September 2009 and was in private shipping before that.

He studied logistics at the University of Tennessee before launching a career

Freightliner Custom Chassis was honored during the S.C. Manufacturing Conference and Expo as a Smart Move S.C. Expansion Award winner. (Photo/Provided)

Section begins on

FAST FACTS | Agriculture in S.C.

23%

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Industry growth over the past decade

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Page 12

$41.7 billion

68,000

Jobs directly supported by S.C. agribusiness industry Sources: S.C. Department of Commerce

$485.3 million

Annual economic impact of agriculture Dollar value of investments announced on South Carolina economy by agribusiness firms in 2018

25,000

Number of farms in South Carolina

Charles River Laboratories International Inc. of Charleston and Proper Polymers of Anderson.

A group of special awards were created this year to recognize those companies that dealt with and overcame extraordinary circumstances to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and its fallout.

“We had a lot of companies that were almost going to have to lay off their whole staff but instead they pivoted, they made some decisions, they made some PPE and instead, not only did they keep their employees, they hired,” said Chuck Spangler, president and CEO of the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership. “So there are some incredible stories our there across South Carolina.”

Five organizations were recognized for the SCMEP Beyond the Call of Duty Award. These are companies that “had a bias for action and made a major impact, not only in South Carolina but in the United States,” Spangler said. They were, BorgWarner of Seneca, ZVerse of Columbia and Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. of West Columbia, Hemingway Ap-

parel Manufacturing Co. of Williamsburg County and Vikor Scientific of Charleston.

Eleven companies were selected for the SCMEP COVID-19 Response Award.

They were: • Fire & Pine, Ridgeland • Colite, Columbia • Carolina CoverTech, North Augusta • Springs Creative Products, Rock Hill • Venus Group, Fort Lawn • Life Industries, North Charleston • Parimer Scientific, Powdersville • Composite Resources, Rock Hill • Multi Plastics, Charleston • Carolina Cotton Works, Gaffney • Harris Pillow, Beaufort.

Because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the conference and expo were conducted online this year, along with the 23rd annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards. The awards were co-sponsored by the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which also co-sponsored the conference along with SC Biz News.

UPFRONT

leading shipping lines. Over the past 11 years at the helm of the port system, Newsome has doubled port container volumes, led crucial infrastructure projects, and turned S.C. Ports into one of the most successful ports in the country.

Other awards handed out during the virtual ceremony Oct. 30 included Innovator of the Year Awards for Daedalus Industrial of Easley and for Archroma of Martin. Minileit Inc. of Greenville was named the Emerging Manufacturer of the Year. The Outreach Award was presented to Sun Surveillance of Spartanburg.

Smart Move SC awards went to Elite Quartz Manufacturing LLC of Latta, Adornus Cabinetry of Lancaster and The Shyft Group of North Charleston for their decisions to move to the Palmetto State.

Freightliner Custom Chassis of Gaffney, McCall Farms of Effingham and Urban Electric Co. of North Charleston were presented Smart Move SC awards for expanding their facilities.

Transformation and Operational Excellence Awards were handed out to First Quality tissue makers of Anderson,

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UPFRONT

Consumer demand up for local food, even before COVID-19

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MIDLANDSTECH.EDU/enterprise Chuck Whipple, SCCED, EcDMP 803.691.3954 | whipplec@midlandstech.edu

new study shows that South Carolinians bought $176.3 million more local food in 2018 than in 2010, boosting economic activity in the state by $273.5 million and adding 1,615 jobs.

The study by University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business economic researcher Joseph Von Nessen also found that the increase across all Certified South Carolina food categories accounted for $51.2 million in labor income.

The study does not include data from 2019 or 2020, but farms and other food producers in the state have reported further increases in consumer demand during the coronavirus pandemic.

Certified South Carolina, launched in 2007, is a cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to promote state food products.

“Dr. Von Nessen’s findings tell us why Certified South Carolina is so important: Consumers want local food, and this program is helping them find it,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said in a news release. “I’m thrilled that South Carolinians continue to support our state’s 24,000-plus farmers.”

According to 2018 data, agribusiness had a $46.2 billion annual impact on South Carolina’s economy, up from $41.7 billion in 2015 and $34 billion in 2006.

The state agriculture department’s 50 by 20 program aims to increase that to $50 billion by the end of this year.

Agribusiness in S.C. accounted for 246,957 jobs and more than $9.6 billion in labor income in 2018 and grew 25% between 2010 and 2018, according to the department.

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tank to be used by 175 households.

An almost $2.1 million loan to the Lowcountry Regional Water System based in Hampton will help the utility company upgrade its Brunson wastewater treatment plant. The existing Brunson collection system was built in 1979 and cannot meet current discharge permit limitations, according to the release. Lowcountry

Regional Water System will use the loan to help install new pump capacity in an existing influent pump station to meet peak wastewater flows and to upgrade the treatment plant to a dual power multicellular aerated lagoon with five sand filters to treat discharged wastewater. Existing sewer lines will also undergo a rehabilitation process and inspection.

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s part of a $891 million investment to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across 43 states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $29.1 million in five rural water and wastewater projects in Anderson, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Dillon, Florence, Hampton and Williamsburg counties. “Rural America needs safe, modern community infrastructure to help residents and businesses achieve greater prosperity and have access to essential services,� USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said in a news release.

The city of Belton in Anderson County will use an $8.7 million loan to upgrade its water system, including iron and cast-iron lines put into service since 1950. These pipes make up 60% of the system, while the other 40% of the piping network is made out of polyvinyl chloride put into service 30 years ago, according to a release.

The loan will assist the city in installing a new above-ground storage tank with booster pumps, as well as new water lines and a supervisory control and data acquisition system. Additional improvements will also include the construction of a booster pump station used to improve water quality throughout the city and fire hydrant risers.

Chesterfield County’s Alligator Rural Water and Sewer Co. will expand its wastewater collection system for commercial users with a $4.4 million loan, according to the release. The proposed project will add two pump stations to an existing five to mitigate septic tank and drainage issues and extend the system to 150 residential and two commercial users.

Barrineau Public Utilities Co. Inc., a drinking water provider in Clarendon, Florence and Williamsburg counties, will put a $4.6 million loan and $2.4 million grant toward extending its water lines and fire hydrant installation for 140 new rural customers. The USDA monies will also aid in the construction of an elevated storage

UPFRONT

U.S. Department of Agriculture invests in S.C. water and wastewater projects

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county spotlight

HORRY

Ascot Valley Park is one of several Horry County industrial parks. With 120 acres of buildable property, it is currently being master-planned.

HORRY COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, DIVERSIFY BEYOND TOURISM ROOTS

By Jim Tatum, Associate Editor | Photos provided by Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp.

T

he Myrtle Beach area attracts more than 14 million visitors a year, generating billions of dollars in tourism revenue. It is the No. 1 tourism revenue generator in the state, the No. 1 tourist

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destination in the state, and consistently ranks as a top 25 destination

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worldwide.

But while Myrtle Beach may be Horry County’s crown jewel, it’s not the only jewel in the county’s crown. Indeed, millions visit, but some 330,000 people currently call Horry County home — and that population keeps growing and is expected to continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

Special Advertising Section

Horry County by the numbers

Population: 333,26 8 per U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 Median household

income: $46,475

Median home value

: $166,500.

Source: U.S. Cens us Bureau

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: LEXINGTON

The Horry-Georgetown Technical College Advanced Manufacturing Center.

The area features a sunny, mild, pleasant climate — the average daily temperature is around 64 degrees and some 215 sunny days a year are recorded — and has one of the lowest tax rates in South Carolina, numerous health care options, and a cost of living that’s 7.3 percent lower than the national average. It’s not at all surprising Horry County is experiencing population growth, especially

among retirees; people 55 and older make up about 36% of the population.

The area boasts a large variety of housing options, as well as many options for recreation, health care, education and many other such amenities.

“One of our biggest residential neighborhoods is Carolina Forest,” Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation President/CEO Sandy

Cool Spring Industrial Park SC Hwy 319, Bill Jones Road Total Site Acreage 67.00

Davis said. “Many residents have moved into the area in the past 15 years. All areas in Horry County have many different neighborhoods to choose from ranging from Loris, Aynor, Conway, Myrtle Beach, Surfside, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Longs and many more.”

Recreation options are plentiful as well. With more than 60 miles of beaches, many waterways, more than 80 golf

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COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: LEXINGTON www.scbizmag.com

Myrtle Beach Grand Park Athletic Complex, which includes seven multipurpose playing fields and two youth fields, is an important community amenity.

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courses, and ubiquitous dining, shopping and entertainment choices, there is something for just about everyone. In addition, there are major sports complexes in North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, as well as a large convention center in Myrtle Beach. Museums, arts and cultural opportunities are readily available as well.

Education opportunities abound. The Horry County school district has earned a reputation for being one of the best public school districts in the state, with several Blue Ribbon Award winning schools, high schools offering baccalaureate programs, and public academies emphasizing trade skills, medical, science, and arts.

Post-secondary opportunities are available as well. Horry-Georgetown Technical College offers a variety of programs, including important trades programs through its Advanced Manufacturing Center. Coastal Carolina University offers undergraduate and Special Advertising Section

graduate degree opportunities. Webster University and Miller-Motte Tech also offer a variety of programs to fit almost any need and schedule.

Horry County residents obviously enjoy a unique and strong quality of life.

But to maintain and further improve that quality of life, business and community leaders continue to work hard to recruit new business and diversify the economic base. In some ways, it’s augmentation, in others, reinvention; but this is something the county is accustomed to doing and that spirit of innovation and independence has underpinned the county’s direction and destiny throughout its entire history.

The county was named for Revolutionary War hero Peter Horry in 1801.

Isolated for many years by numerous rivers and swamps, the inhabitants sometimes referred to themselves as the “Independent Republic of Horry.” Lumber and naval stores were the primary industries during the 18th and early 19th

centuries, with tobacco farming being introduced later. Farming and agriculture are still significant, but by the 20th century, tourism became and continues to be the main economic driver.

Currently, the largest industry sector in Horry County is Accommodation and Food Services, employing 32,767 workers, with Retail Trade (25,049 workers) and Health Care and Social Assistance (14,472) the next largest sectors. The largest employer in the county is the Horry County School District, followed by Walmart, Coastal Carolina University, Horry County Government, Conway Medical Center, Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Food Lion, McLeod Loris Seacoast, the city of Myrtle Beach and Horry Telephone Cooperative.

However, not all are hospitality, health care and public service jobs. A businessfriendly atmosphere, close proximity to three major seaports, an inland port, major highways and airports, and a

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: LEXINGTON

Several major highways serve Horry County.

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strong workforce, more and more companies are discovering the value of relocating to Horry County, making for an active and growing industrial base.

Global Metal Powders will open a 16,000-square-foot production facility and company headquarters in the town of Aynor. Vulcan, the country’s largest producer of construction aggregate materials, opened a facility in the city of Conway and is using local railroad service R.J. Corman to transport materials.

“Vulcan is very excited about investing in Horry County and the city of Conway on this project,” Elliott Botzis, Vulcan’s vice president-South Carolina stated. “We look forward to becoming part of the local community. The distribution yard will be selling construction aggregates that are vital to Horry County’s economic growth and vital infrastructure. The site is very well located to the local construction market.”

Horry County continues to work diligently to grow other sectors, including manufacturing, aviation, marine, distribution, PPE providers and technology.

Currently, the county offers a variety of incentives, including low taxes, Fee In Lieu of Taxes agreements, low property costs, brown/green field opportunities, and opportunity zone location. The county also currently has space opportunities in several industrial parks, from raw property to finished industrial buildings.

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TRENDING: AGRICULTURE IN S.C.

S I

The Russell family of Stump House Farms tend two greenhouses. (Photo/Provided)

Local farms scale up for snowballed demand

By Molly Hulsey Staff Writer

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tump Creek Farm sprung to life three years ago in a garden the size of a bedroom.

Since then, it’s grown to about three acres and two greenhouses’ worth of cucumbers, squash and tomatoes that are sold on the Ware Shoals farm or at the Greenwood Farmers Market.

After industrial food supply chains unhinged this spring and the demand for fresh produce and farm pick-up skyrocketed, Stump Creek Farm Owner Bobby Russell wanted to be more than prepared this time.

He’s expanding his operation to five acres this year.

That may seem like a drop in the bucket as far as South Carolina’s agricultural presence goes, but it’s the state’s small to medium family farms that have emerged on the other side of the pandemic with better sales than they’ve ever seen before. In fact, some are struggling to keep up with the

demand.

“As people kind of saw that there was a possibility of there being shortages in the grocery store, even a smidgen of possibility, then they started flocking to local farms,” Russell said. “And I think a lot of us, you know, weren’t prepared for the influx of people.”

Harp and Shamrock Croft, a vegetable and goat farm based in Spartanburg County, watched sales eclipse its usual year-overyear purchases by 500% during a number of weeks this spring.

“From March until probably mid-May or when, you know, the governor pretty much lifted all the bans … we were going gangbusters,” Paul Callahan, owner of Harp and Shamrock Croft said. “I mean, we had to be very, very careful on managing our crops so that we had enough to sell onsite and at the market.”

When the fresh produce frenzy hit in March, Callahan and his wife, Jenni, had not yet turned any dirt in their garden beds, and the only produce they had on hand was the

overwinter crops grown in the farm’s high tunnels or unheated greenhouses.

After August, “like clockwork,” Callahan said, sales plummeted. This isn’t an unusual occurrence in the bipolar year of a family farm but the impact of the coronavirus further exacerbated the imbalance. To amp up production to meet next spring’s demands, the Callahans applied for four grants and received two from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

One, a $35,500 value-added-producer grant channeled to at least 22 farms across the state, helps leverage the capital Harp & Shamrock Croft needs to expand their presence at farmers markets and local buyer groups. Another USDA grant will offset the cost of planting higher-quality grass in the farm’s goat pastures.

Aside from the rollout of such grant programs, the USDA has waived certain aspects of the working capital application process, extended payment aid packages to borrowers and has approved of the use of Community Facilities Program loan

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SC ap an

SO The

24,791

Agribusiness is SC’s

Farms

#1 industry

4.7 million

Accounts for

TRENDING: AGRICULTURE IN S.C.

SOUTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURE IS BIG AND GETTING BIGGER $46.2 billion

Total Economic Impact

FULL PAGE, AGRICULTURE TOP 10 COMMODITIES

Acres of Land Farmed

246,957 jobs

$9.6 billion

in Annual Labor Income

SC DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

1. Broilers

6. Cotton

2. Turkeys

7. Chicken Eggs

3. Corn

8. Peanuts

4. Cattle & Calves

9. Floriculture

5. Soybeans

10. Tobacco

$979 million

$500 million

$168.8 million $133.7 million

$125.8 million

$109 million $93 million

$83.5 million

$68.6 million $49 million

South Carolina

Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner AG R I C U LT U R E . S C .G OV

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SC’s agribusiness cluster increased by approximately 25 percent between 2010 and 2018 – from $37.0 billion to $46.2 billion.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

S O U R C E S Census of Agriculture (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2017); USDA Economic Research Service; The Economic Impact of Agribusiness in South Carolina and the Certified South Carolina Grown Campaign (Von Nessen, 2020)

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TRENDING: AGRICULTURE IN S.C. www.scbizmag.com

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monies for the purchase of pandemic-related goods like ventilators, Stephanie Bittiker, spokeswoman for South Carolina’s USDA office of rural development, said in an email.

Like the Callahans, Kenneth Melton, owner of Lowland Farms on Johns Island, said his business has boomed during the pandemic. In particular, his communitysupported agriculture grew this spring from around 40 to more than 100, keeping him and his five-person, family-run farm busy.

“I feel the pandemic has forced me to spend more time farming, devoted to what we actually do,” he said. “It also makes us feel better that people are demanding our stuff, so we’re hustling around to get rid of it.”

Lowland Farms specializes in chickens, herbs and flowers and grows organic produce, though it’s not certified. Prior to the pandemic, Melton sold his grown goods at farmers markets and to restaurants, and has since switched up his CSA from a local drop spot to home delivery.

Like most of the country, when the first coronavirus wave hit, fellow farmer Greg Brown, owner and operator of Greenleaf Farm in Columbia, said he didn’t know what to expect.

“It’s more of a crap shoot than regular farming because we had all of these crops in the ground and didn’t know if people would hunker down and order from Amazon or get takeout,” he said. “But we found that since we sell in an essential market and the two farmers markets we sell in are fairly small, people feel

Harp and Shamrock Croft saw fresh produce sales increase by up to 500% year-over-year during some weeks this spring, though in early March only winter crops were ready for sale. (Photo/Provided)

more comfortable buying from us.”

Brown emphasized that he and one other farmer are the only two to touch produce before it transfers directly to customers’ hands. He enforces a process where they point to the goods they want and he meticulously hands them over.

Greenleaf Farm produces a variety of leafy greens, along with root vegetables and flowers. “If it’s green, I grow it,” Brown said.

It’s a change of pace from his childhood in Georgia where his family raised hogs.

He said he’s been lucky that the pandemic never stunted his sales, but if anything,

helped them soar.

“A lot of people especially in the beginning didn’t want to go to the grocery store because they didn’t know where the produce is coming from. Several thousand miles is a long way for a lot of things to happen,” he said. “With us, since we’re local and not resellers, they get everything fresh within a day or two.”

Where’s the beef sales?

According to Callahan and other farmers, producers catering to wholesalers were perhaps the hardest hit through the pushand-pull of the pandemic. Regional meat

COMMITMENT. AGRICULTURE. COMMUNITY.

Looking back it’s all been worth it We’ve been working in the best interest of SC farmers for over 75 years. And we’re not about to stop now.

SC Farm Bureau is the Palmetto State’s leading voice for agriculture, protecting our state’s #1 industry and its people.

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www.SCFB.org

Staff writer Teri Errico Griffis contributed to this report.

TRENDING: AGRICULTURE IN S.C.

producers have also been disproportionately impacted as local processing plants are booked out until next year with orders.

In the past, Travis Childers, owner of Old Path Farm in Cherokee County, would just call within a week to have animal processed. Then, the farm’s meat sales at Spartanburg’s Hub City Farmers Market began to double each week. Soon, Old Path became the last supplier left with any meat to sell at the market.

“So we had a greater demand for product that we weren’t able to get butchered, and quite frankly, that we didn’t have growing in the field when, for us in particular, we raise all of our beef here on the farm,” he said. “It’s born on the farm, and then we raise it up and process it approximately two years later. That’s just not something you can snap your fingers and ramp up.”

So far, Childers hasn’t yet turned to any USDA funding, but he does see potential in USDA investing in the construction and expansion of additional processing plants.

Earlier in the year, the state’s beef retail market was at least six weeks behind on supply as a result of overbooking and shuttering processing plants, according to Roy Copeland, beef promotion specialist with the S.C. Department of Agriculture.

Since then, South Carolina’s beef market — one of the smallest in the Southeast — has regained its stride with normalized prices and a steadied balance between supply and demand, Copeland said. But not without some growing pains on a national level.

Through SCDA marketing efforts before and in the wake of the pandemic, Copeland has witnessed a raise in appeal for local food supply chains that nix additional transportation costs and cut out the middleman.

“In the meat industry, strides were made for producers in South Carolina,” Copeland said. “This would be producers of all livestock — beef, pork, chicken, poultry, turkey — to do some in-state processing and to do more promoting of our sales, of our products and our consumer service activities, that being farmers markets, food venues, fairs, festivals, etc.”

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S TRENDING: AGRICULTURE IN S.C.

S Agriculture Technology Campus could yield far-reaching rewards

By Melinda Waldrop Editor

www.scbizmag.com

W 16

hile the $314 million Agriculture Technology Campus is expected to have an annual economic impact of nearly $552 million and create 1,547 jobs in Hampton County, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers believes the benefits for the state — and the country — could be even longer-lasting.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States imported $9.07 billion in fresh vegetables in 2019, a 7% increase from 2018, and $15.06 billion in fresh fruit, up 8% from the previous year.

That’s a continuation of a trend pinpointed by the Congressional Research Service, which found that the country has gone from being a net exporter of fruits and vegetables in the 1970s to one that imported $17.6 billion while exporting $6.3 billion in 2015. Berries top the import list at $2.92 billion, followed by avocadoes ($2.76 billion) and bananas ($2.4 billion).

“We are importing more food in some of our basics than people realize,” Weathers said.

“Quite a number of fruits can’t be grown in South Carolina or the United States and are grown elsewhere in the world, and we like them. So we import over 50% of the fruit that we consume in this country. It’s coming from somewhere else. And now, with the vegetables, it’s gotten to 30%.”

A key component of the agribusiness center, announced in September and expected to be operational by mid-2022, is a 150,000-square-foot distribution center that will centralize local production.

“As we bring investments like this to the United States, to South Carolina in particular, we will be able to not import as much of your tomatoes from Mexico, for example,” Weathers said. “And not (only) a foreign country, but bringing them from California is quite an impact on the environment, or the freshness. Bringing that local production has a number of benefits. In addition to the economic benefit to South Carolina, it’s the environmental impact, it’s the freshness.

I do think that post-COVID, the average

Gov. Henry McMaster (fourth from left) was among a group of state and local officials announcing the new Agriculture Technology Campus in Hampton County. (Photo/Agriculture Technology Campus)

consumer will want to know more of where that food was grown, how was it grown, and how close to me is it grown?”

The 1,000-acre campus will include greenhouses to grow pesticide-free tomatoes, leafy greens, blueberries and other fresh produce. It will bring together Mastronardi Produce, a Canadian company which sells tomatoes under the Sunset label; New Yorkheadquartered LiDestri Food and Drink, which will provide processing, packing and shipping services; and Clear Water Farms, an N.Y.-based indoor grower of leafy greens.

“This project had tremendous competition, and I’m real pleased that we were able to win it out, just based on the service and the support and other things that the state of South Carolina brought to the table,” Weathers said.

The campus will utilize Controlled Environment Agriculture, a hydroponicbased technology that allows growers to minimize space and conserve water while controlling for factors such as weather.

“The production of food requires water, some more and some less,” Weathers said.

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TRENDING: AGRICULTURE IN S.C.

W U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (left) and Gov. Henry McMaster (right) speak at the announcement of the new Agriculture Technology Campus in Hampton County. (Photo/Agriculture Technology Campus)

“When we go to controlled environment agriculture combined with the recycling of water, that makes for probably the most efficient production of food with regards to water use. … It is a merger of agronomy and technology. No matter how you grow a crop, whether it’s in the ground, off of a tree, in a pond, the agronomy of things is now being woven in with technology and creating this tremendous yield that these operations are projecting. You have to have a tremendous yield because of the cost, the investments, required for this type of operation. It makes

it so that one acre and a greenhouse house to produce what 30 acres of conventional farming could do. Technology merged with farming — that’s what you have here in controlled environment agriculture.”

Traditional field agriculture can reap benefits from the production methods developed in Controlled Environment Agriculture, Weathers said.

“Conventional farming and production will be enhanced hopefully with more efficient use of water or other things that will help lessen the inputs, even if it’s a field-

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grown crop,” he said. “Lower the inputs, make it more sustainable, more economical, as a result of some technologies that will come along.”

The Agriculture Technology Campus will be located in the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus within an Opportunity Zone, regions ripe for economic development created by legislation drafted by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott in the 2017 tax reform package. A recent report from the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers found that tax cuts extended to the more than 8,000 low-income communities designated as Opportunity Zones throughout the nation will bring nearly $75 million in private-sector investment.

“This is the exact sort of investment we expected in creating Opportunity Zones and is a classic example of the potential for zones across the country,” Scott said in a news release announcing the Hampton agricultural campus. “These 1,500 new full-time jobs and hundreds of seasonal jobs will help power rural Hampton County’s economy for years to come, helping an historically underserved community build a better future for hardworking South Carolinians.”

Weathers said the state is in negotiations with other agriculture companies to bring more businesses to the campus.

“South Carolina is such a good location in its position on the East Coast, and we think that position, that geography, along with this first investment, will lead to others,” Weathers said. “We are already in conversations with others of similar type of agriculture production. … Can this be the Boeing for agricultural in that you create the campus itself, and then all of the jobs and the businesses around it related to it? Its potential is much more than just what is right there at the campus itself.”

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10/5/2020 2:06:53 PM

AEROSPACE

The Boeing S.C. Delivery Center is where customers pick up the keys to their newly built 787 Dreamliner. The signature building overlooks the Boeing S.C. campus, including the flightline of Dreamliners in different stages of construction.

(Photo/Boeing Co.)

WHY SOUTH CAROLINA? Boeing’s consolidation of 787 assembly lines in North Charleston could lead to future economic development deals as workers, suppliers and aerospace customers continue to rely on Palmetto State

By Teri Errico Griffis

www.scbizmag.com

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

20

B

oeing sales may be down now, but North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said the company’s decision to consolidate 787 manufacturing to South Carolina will prime them for when the airline industry bounces back.

Throughout the summer, rumors flew worldwide about a Boeing consolidation

after President and CEO Dan Calhoun said the company would perform a study to determine if the slowing demand for jets would require the company to move 787 final assembly operations to one location.

Whispers hinted toward South Carolina, with aerospace reporters and consultants offering ongoing analyses like they were calling the run up to the World Series. But the stakes couldn’t have been higher for North Charleston and Everett, Wash., which

continued to serve the hub of Boeing manufacturing even after the company decided to also build 787s in South Carolina.

Then on Oct. 1 Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, sent a letter to Boeing employees with the final call: “To ensure we can be effective in a market that will be smaller in the near-term, and one that will have different demands from our customers long-term, we made a decision earlier this morning to consolidate 787

AEROSPACE

production in South Carolina after months of detailed and thorough study,” Deal said.

South Carolina had won ... but only because someone else lost hundreds of jobs.

The decision was best for the long-term strategy of the company, Deal said, and ensured a bridge to recovery and a sustainable future.

“For months, teams studied options,

engaged all of our stakeholders, including unions, and considered a number of factors including logistics, efficiency and long-term health of our production system,” he said. “It became clear that consolidating to a single 787 production location in South Carolina will make us more competitive and efficient, better positioning Boeing to weather these challenging times and win new business.”

The Boeing S.C. campus near Charleston International Airport in North Charleston has undergone several expansions since the company purchased the facility from Vought Aircraft Industries in 2009. (Photo/Boeing S.C.)

For now, North Charleston will continue to be the only 787-10 producer in the world.

Washington will continue to manufacture 787-8 and 787-9 jets over the next few

THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE SC BIZ NEWS FAMILY What’s new on SCBIZtv this week?

Check us out on YouTube. With more than 100 archived videos (and counting), you’ll find a wide variety of business-related content, including: Virtual awards shows, Power Events, interviews with high-level business executives and several ongoing video series, including Coffee With…, 120 Seconds, Industry Trends and Coping with Covid.

Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find on SCBIZtv this week VIRTUAL AWARDS SHOWS

From Women of Influence in the Upstate to Forty Under 40 in the Lowcountry to Icons and Phenoms in the Midlands, you’re sure to find executives you know being honored in a variety of ways.

120 SECONDS

COFFEE WITH…

Business executives sharing insight about their business, the industry in which they work and the community in which they live.

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CEOs answering as many questions as they can in two minutes.

You’ll definitely learn something personal about the executive and get a thoughtful answer on a serious topic to boot.

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AEROSPACE

Every Great Vision Begins With A Plan.

D Fp lans ca pe .c o m

months until production tapers in mid-2021 to its previously announced rate cut of six jets per month.

“I think that the success they’ve had here comes from the fact that all the planes ended up in North Charleston before distribution anyway for their final inspections, the painting, and what have you. Then they left here whether they were manufactured on the West Coast or East Coast,” Summey said.

Boeing did not receive any new state incentives or formal agreement, S.C. Department of Commerce spokesperson Alex Clark said, but there are plenty of other advantages to consolidating in South Carolina, which might make the move make sense for the aircraft manufacturer.

South Carolina is a right-to-work state with the lowest unionization rate of any state in the nation. Boeing also has ample room for expansion near Charleston International Airport and soon will offer a new access road to give the airport direct access to the plant — a process that has accelerated with the prospect of consolidation. Officials say approval for the plan should come in the next six months or so.

“Boeing and South Carolina have been partners since 2009,” Clark said. “We are extremely proud that Boeing, through this announcement, has expressed confidence in the long-term future of the 787 in South Carolina. We will continue to work collaboratively with Boeing to ensure the best business environment for Boeing to succeed and continue bringing substantial benefits to the Charleston region and the entire state.”

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How Boeing landed

22

Back in 1996, when the Navy base closed in North Charleston after 95 years, Summey said it was a wake-up call for the city to recruit more non-government jobs that were higher paying and would be stronger for the economy.

A little over a decade later, a Boeing supplier, Vought Aircraft Industries, came along with the possibility of creating highend aerospace jobs in the Lowcountry as part of the company’s new 787 Dreamliner global supply chain.

When Vought struggled, Boeing bought the plant in North Charleston in 2009 and took over operations in a move that set off a fight with union leaders anchored one

AEROSPACE Boeing planes in North Charleston are painted with the liveries of their new owners prior to delivery to airlines around the world. (Photo/Boeing Co.)

only Boeing jobs and those of its suppliers, but spinoff roles that are affected by retail and home sales.

“When you’re not just building new industries, you’re creating new housing, new back-up support for that housing, retails, schools, things of that nature,” Summey said. “We all benefit from that long term. I

think it’s a great approach and something that shows all the tri-county is working together to accomplish the same goals.”

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of the most visible manufacturers in South Carolina. The move attracted suppliers to the area and create thousands of jobs. Having Boeing in the Charleston market also caught the attention of site selectors across the globe. Suddenly, North Charleston was a Boeing market.

Early limited production of the jets began in 2011 with the first airplane rolled out of South Carolina’s final assembly on April 27, 2012, and the first flight a month later on May 23.

The Boeing campus near Charleston International Airport has undergone several expansions and build-outs, including a deliver center, paint facility and expanded final assembly operations.

Today Boeing employs 7,000 people at its South Carolina facilities, making it both the largest private sector and the largest manufacturing employer in the county according to Charleston County Economic Development.

North Charleston Economic Development Director Ryan Johnson said North Charleston’s eagerness to make the building process as easy as possible for Boeing was a win-win for everyone. It pleased the airline manufacturer and in turn, kept them here, stimulating the economy.

“In the time that it took to plan, permit and construct their facility here, Boeing said on the West Coast they would have just been through the permitting process,” he said.

To speed things along, the city proactively provided assets like an inspector on site who could immediately review processes as they happened.

“Boeing credits our building department as being able to complete their phase of building on time and under budget,” Summey said.

Although absorbing another factory typically connotes growth, Summey doesn’t see Boeing expanding its operations any time soon given its limited production numbers and the ongoing pandemic.

Right now, things can be handled with the staff and operations Boeing currently has in place in North Charleston, he said.

However, as the economy grows back and passengers adjust their mindset to feel comfortable flying again, Summey expects jobs to increase again within the next three years.

Regional employment will include not

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

We congratulate all 2020 Roaring Twenties winners!

Cherry Bekaert is a proud team member to growing companies throughout South Carolina.

CPAs & Advisors with Your Growth in Mind

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No matter where you want to take your business, you need a resourceful and innovative partner to steer you in the right direction. Let Cherry Bekaert guide you forward to your growth destination.

24

Find out how we can be your guide forward

Greenville 110 East Court Street Suite 500 Greenville, SC 29601 864.233.3981

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CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

T

he Roaring Twenties recognizes the 40 companies in South Carolina with the fastest revenue growth: 20 small companies and 20 large companies. To qualify for Roaring Twenties consideration, companies had to be nominated by a third party or through self-nomination. Companies must have a physical presence in South Carolina and can be a for-profit entity or a nonprofit organization (except for government entities and charitable organizations, including 501(c)3 organizations. These are not eligible.) The nominated companies provided financial information to SC Biz News, which was sent to the accounting firm Cherry Bekaert for verification.

Company size was determined by gross revenue: small categorized as $10 million and under; large, more than $10 million. Small companies must have had revenues of at least $500,000 per year for 2017, 2018 and 2019. A formula was used that awarded points based on both dollar and percentage increases in revenue generated from South Carolina operations from years 2018-2019. Both of these criteria were used to create a score, with percent increase used as a tie-breaker if needed. The companies were then ranked by score, with the highest score representing the fastest revenue growth.

All 40 companies were honored during a recent virtual event available for viewing online on the SCBIZtv YouTube channel. The companies and their profiles are presented in this issue of SCBIZ. We hope you enjoy reading more about them.

Presented by:

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Sponsored by:

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

1

Frampton Construction Co. LLC

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Number of local employees: 34 Top local executive: Chad Frampton Product or service: Construction Year founded locally: 2015 Brief company bio: Frampton Construction is a regional full-service construction firm based in Charleston and Charlotte offering planning and design support, preconstruction, construction services, and sustainability services. The company traces its roots back to the 1977 founding of Limehouse and Frampton and is now run by a second generation of Framptons.

If you were giving advice to business owners or managers, what would be the three most important tips you would include?

Try to stay focused on the big picture instead of getting bogged down in annual reports. Planning and making decisions for the long-term success of the company will pay off.

Challenge the status quo. Don’t get complacent; always ask what you can be doing better.

Find your passion, have fun, and make an impact wherever possible.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

Our industry is really embracing technology and innovation. Our company has invested time and energy to keep pace with the latest technology like cloud-based construction software, drones, and building information modeling.

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20 Large Companies with Fastest Revenue Growth

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

2

Phi Life Sciences LLC

Number of local employees: 18 Top local executive: Sawan Hurst, CEO Product or service: Molecular diagnostics Year founded locally: 2016 Brief company bio: Phi Life Sciences is a Molecular Diagnostic and Laboratory Service company that aims to help patients by reducing disease mortality and adverse drug reactions through affordable, state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic technologies.

Phi Life Sciences is the bridge between scientists with innovative technologies and the patients and doctors whom they can benefit.

How has your personal approach to leadership changed as your company has grown?

You have to have the right team do the right job.

How do you build your team?

Hard work and dedication to them as much as you want toward you.

Stay safe Charleston and

congratulations to Phi Life Sciences’ staff for making a great 2020

Thank You

to our clients and friends for helping make this achievement possible 3

Spencer Hines Properties

Greenville/Spartanburg Offices To Serve You 864-583-1001 www.spencerhines.com

www.scbizmag.com

Number of local employees: 15 Top local executives: Ben Hines, Lynn Spencer, co-owners Product or service: Commercial Real Estate Year founded locally: 1986 Brief company bio: Spencer/Hines Properties commands a substantial percentage of the Greenville-Spartanburg area’s commercial real estate market due to its dedicated attention to client needs. The highly qualified personnel at Spencer/Hines Properties aggressively pursue the objectives of each client with an enthusiasm that ensures success.

How do you build your team?

We have effectively built a team by being selective. Over the years we’ve been able to hire folks who stayed here.

Fun fact: Our office was originally a mortuary and the attic contains the crane that was used to hoist caskets to the second floor.

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

4

5

Logisticus Group

Top local executives: William Stephan and Vikash Patel Product or service: Transportation logistics Year founded locally: 2012 Brief company bio: A minority-owned business, Logisticus Group specializes in transportation logistics, project management and technology.

To what do you attribute your recent growth?

We’ve gotten very active in the renewable space so as the country has shifted towards renewables we’ve been well-positioned to take advantage of it.

What have you had to do to pivot your business?

We had a scare when everything shut down but fortunately our projects were considered essential. We were able to keep everybody working and take advantage of some new areas we’re focusing on.

Triangle Construction Co. Inc.

Top local executive: Thomas Baer, president Product or service: General Contracting Year founded locally: 1947 Brief company bio: An employee-owned general contractor that always puts relationships first with staff, customers, and partners, Triangle is focused on real conversations and real results. Triangle provides customers with a single point of contact who is with the project from kickoff through completion.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

One of the things we try to do is find good people and work for good people so we’re extremely picky about clients we work for and making sure we’re the right fit for the project. Ultimately if you can steer away from bad projects and only work on good projects it multiplies your success.

Congratulations to the

Logisticus Group for being named one of the

ROARING TWENTIES, FASTEST REVENUE GROWTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR 2020

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Proud contributor and partner of the South Carolina Business Journal

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IBERIABANK, a division of First Horizon Bank

www.firsthorizon.com/better-together

6

Samet Corp.

Number of local employees: 39 Top local executive: Carson Knizevski Product or service: Construction/Real Estate Development Year founded locally: 2009 Brief company bio: Founded as a commercial construction company by Norman Samet in 1961, Samet Corporation has diversified into high-growth segments such as multi-family housing, education, health care, mission critical data centers and real estate development.

Fun fact: CEO Arthur Samet is an extreme sports junkie, a pilot and a Dead Head who has seen numerous Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic concerts.

7

Crescent Homes

Evans General Contractors

Number of local employees: 25 Top local executive: Larry Eberhart Product or service: Design-Build Construction Year founded locally: 2012 Brief company bio: One of the nation’s leading design-build, general contracting and construction management firms; works on projects from coast to coast and produces revenues of $650 million.

Evans offers full construction management at a guaranteed price, including overall planning, coordination, and project management from concept to completion.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

We expect E-Commerce and manufacturing growth to continue to be strong. We expect Life Sciences to explode in the U.S. after the industry has dealt with supply struggles from the pandemic.

www.scbizmag.com

Number of local employees: 95 Top local executive: Lee Miller Product or service: Residential Home Builder Year founded locally: 2009 Brief company bio: Crescent Homes was brought to life in 2009 by Ted Terry, a fifth-generation homebuilder with a vision and passion for designing homes and communities that evoke the charm of the Lowcountry. His vision for the company is to build thoughtful, livable and timeless homes, going beyond the standard, designing homes with features other builders view as upgrades.

How has your personal approach to leadership changed as your company has grown?

As the company has grown, I have had to relinquish some control to the key management roles that I put in place. I quickly had to place my trust in our team to handle the day to day operation.

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

#5 FASTEST REVENUE GROWTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

9

Top local executive: David Taylor Product or service: Engineering and landscape architecture services Brief company bio: Stantec is designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe. Although their work helps to create physical communities, their ultimate goal is to create something far more meaningful: a sense of community.

To what do you attribute your growth?

2019 was a good year for the economy, but really our growth deals with the people. We have a really good staff of problem solvers and that’s what allows us to be a good service provider in the engineering field.

www.scbizmag.com

11

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Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

Mashburn Construction

Total number of local employees: approximately 100 Top local executives: Paul Mashburn, CEO; Lee Mashburn, President Product or service: Construction Year founded locally: 1976 Brief company bio: Mashburn Construction is a full-service construction company providing construction management, designbuild and general contracting. Since its founding, the company has exemplified Building with Integrity by providing superior service and quality to clients in the Healthcare, Historical Renovation, Hospitality, Industrial, Institutional and Church Construction markets.

To what do you attribute your growth?

We’re in multiple markets with a lot of types of projects so if the economy is waning in one sector we can shore it up with other projects. We’re passionate about the communities we work in and we’re passionate about the relationships.

10

Langston Construction Co. of Piedmont LLC

Number of local employees: 85 Top local executives: Evan Sowell and Jim Roberts Product or service: Construction Year founded locally: 1969 Brief company bio: Langston Construction Company was established in South Carolina as a general contractor and continues to provide construction services in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Its work history includes a long list of clients in the commercial, industrial, public utility and architectural/ engineering consulting markets.

To what do you attribute your success?

Much of that relates to our strategic planning, which we have been doing for over a decade, identifying market segments and the type of work we want to pursue. Our employees have bought into that plan and are willing to work to make it successful.

12

MedTrust Holdings Inc.

Number of local employees: 380 Top local executives: Josh Watts, CEO/Lenna Macdonald, CAO Product or service: Mobile Health Care (Private Ambulance) Year founded locally: 2012 If you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would it be?

In a capital-intensive business, I would have started with/raised more initial startup funding. The drag of debt on a startup and early stage growth company (especially one with more traditional margins) can affect the business for many years to come.

Fun Fact: Our executive team features a harmonica player, a trained opera singer, a female angler, a surfer, and an aspiring architect

Mavin Construction LLC

Number of local employees: 35 Top local executives: D.J. Doherty and Todd Malo Product or service: Commercial/Industrial Construction Year founded locally: 2012 Brief company bio: In 2012, founders Todd Malo and DJ Doherty set out to build a company whose mission was to provide an exceptional, value-rich building experience by creating an environment which values people, knowledge and relationships. The company has grown to 30-plus employees whose areas of expertise include: commercial, health care, historic restoration, corporate, ecclesiastical, amenities, higher education, municipal and industrial.

How do you build your team?

1) Hire right. 2) Preach mission and values. 3) Assist in transitioning team members who don’t share the company’s mission and values.

4) Celebrate success and mission moments.

15

Cantey Foundation Specialists

USI Insurance Services

Number of local employees: 57 Top local executive: Robb Imbus Product or service: Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Personal Risk and Retirement Consulting Year founded locally: 2017 Brief company bio: With roots dating back to 1868, USI provides property & casualty, employee benefit, personal risk and retirement insurance services nationwide. The company is approaching $2 billion in revenue with more than 7,500 associates in approximately 200 offices across the country, including one in Mount Pleasant, serving more than 150,000 clients.

What is the main driver of this year’s revenue growth?

Through our proprietary OMNI AI engine, our in-house analytical tools, and our team approach, we can drive financial results for our clients, which is unusual in our industry.

16

Shelly Leeke Law Firm LLC

Number of local employees: 86 Top local executive: Shelly Leeke Product or service: Personal Injury Law Firm Year founded locally: 2008 Brief company bio: Shelly Leeke Law Firm, with seven offices and 27 attorneys across the state, focuses on personal injury law, including work injuries; wrongful death,; dog bite injuries; vehicle and pedestrian accidents; construction injuries; slip, trip and fall accidents; drunk driving victims and defective products.

How do you build your team?

A successful team for our firm is based upon a willingness to do your job and a great compassion and belief in what we do. We seek team members who want to be here and always do their best.

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Number of local employees: 118 Top local executive: William Cantey Product or service: Foundation, Crawl Space and Concrete Repair Year founded locally: 2014 Brief company bio: Based in Camden, Cantey offers quality products, proven services and professional experience to permanently repair any foundation and crawl space problems.

That includes concrete leveling, concrete repair and basement waterproofing, as well as foundation and crawl space repair.

How has your industry changed during 2020?

People are home and maybe seeing problems that they didn’t notice before. They’re fixing problems that they might have ignored in the past.

What advice would you give a new business owner?

Always make a profit. Hire great people and take care of your team.

14

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

13

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

17

18

A3 Communications Inc.

Number of local employees: 100 Top local executives: Brian Thomas, President & Dave Lewis, CFO Product or service: Systems Integration/Technology Year founded locally: 2006 Brief company bio: With a talent for innovation and an eye for technology needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, F. Joseph Thomas laid the groundwork for what would become one of the nation’s premier systems integrators. Based in Columbia, A3 serves more than 2,500 clients.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

One of the biggest changes is how we show up and what solutions are currently adding value. We’ve seen several changes in how our customers are buying, We’re continuously communicating with our customers to add value and keep them abreast of new solutions.

Southeast Industrial Equipment

Number of local employees: 20 Top local executive: Tom Niles Product or service: Toyota Forklift Dealership Year founded locally: 1987 Brief company bio: Southeast Industrial Equipment provides customers with a comprehensive range of new forklifts, lift trucks, and used industrial equipment for sale, lease, or rent. A full solutions provider, it offers financing options for service, repair, training, and management programs, as well as a full warehouse catalog to create the most productive work environment.

How do you build your team?

Develop relationships with each member of the team. Employee retention is vital to our success. Create a culture of teamwork. We all contribute. Ask for employee referrals as job opportunities present themselves.

CONGRATUATIONS Capital Waste Services On Being Named One of the companies with the Fastest Revenue Growth in South Carolina for 2020

It is a privilege to work with Matt Parker and his team, we are honored to be a part of their success.

www.scbizmag.com

(L-R) Randy Spires, Carolina International Trucks; Matt Parker, Capital Waste Services; Mike Evans, Carolina International Trucks

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COLUMBIA 800-868-4923

CHARLESTON 800-666-3040

CONWAY 843-438-3131

FLORENCE 800-477-3894

GREENVILLE 866-520-0440

GREER 800-284-0050

WWW.CAROLINAINTERNATIONAL .COM

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Capital Waste Services

Number of local employees: almost 100 Top local executive: Matt Parker Product or service: Waste Services Year founded locally: 1989 Brief company bio: Capital Waste Services offers professional and reliable residential trash collection, with commercial and Industrial services. Today the company serves more than 24,000 homes and almost 2,000 businesses and government offices. It provides Front Load Containers, Roll Off Containers and Compactors to over 1,000 businesses and municipal sites all over the Midlands, and now serving Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. The company is owned by Kinderhook Industries, LLC, a private investment firm that manages over $3.1 billion of committed capital.

To what do you attribute your success?

We are locally run and so we care about our community.

The Office People

Number of local employees: 64 Top local executive: Sean Mummert Product or service: Workplace Interiors, Design, Audio Visual, Video Conferencing, Manage Print Service, Copiers/Printers Year founded locally: 2004 Brief company bio: The Office People is an award-winning, minority-owned and operated business that has been serving the Southeast for over 20 years and has expanded its services into 23 states. The company helps businesses, school districts, hospitals and churches save money by providing superior office solution services from design process to delivery.

How do you build your team?

We encourage team members to share ideas, consider solutions and solve problems together. Good teams benefit individual members by offering added support and opportunities for development together.

We look forward to growing with you in the future. www.cloverimaging.com

Greenville • Fountain Inn Anderson • Greer • Columbia Orangeburg • Charleston

www.grandsouth.com

www.scbizmag.com

for being named one of the Roaring Twenties -- one of the fastest revenue growth in SC!

Great Job!!

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: LARGE COMPANIES

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Congratulations to The Office People team!

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

1

Broadband Infrastructure Inc.

www.scbizmag.com

Total number of local employees: 45 Top local executive: Braddock Cunningham Product or service: Telecom/Data infrastructure Year founded locally: 2015 Brief company bio: Broadband Infrastructure is a turnkey solutions provider for both inside and outside plant telecommunications infrastructure serving the Southeast via our two subsidiaries: Carolina Underground Solutions and Absolute Technologies. Bbl provides fiber optic splicing, terminations, structured cabling, long-haul, and overbuild fiber optic construction services.

If you were giving advice to business owners or managers, what would be the three most important tips you would include?

Never take “no� as an absolute. Build a strong core of advisors, to include CPAs, attorneys and proven business leaders. And lastly, trust the team you put into place, even when they fail.

Fun Fact The CEO is a former MMA fighter and 2004 S.C. Submission Grappling Heavyweight champion who led a previous company onto the Roaring 20s list four times from 2008-2013.

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20 Small Companies with Fastest Revenue Growth

Alder Energy Solar LLC

Number of local employees: 15 Top local executive: Don Zimmerman Product or service: Solar PV System Development, Design, and Installation Year founded locally: 2008 Brief company bio: Alder Energy Solar provides turnkey alternative energy solutions throughout South Carolina. The company specialize in the design, installation, and integration of commercial and government solar systems.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

Every year, more people and businesses consider solar, being driven by corporate clean energy goals and decreasing solar project costs.

Equipment prices continue to trend downward as financing options expand. Battery storage prices continue to drop as well.

3

K-Con Inc.

Number of local employees: 16 Top local executive: Pat Kiernan, President Product or service: Design-Build Construction Year founded locally: 1989 Brief company bio: K-Con Inc. is a DBIA-certified design-build general contractor offering turn-key construction & renovation/up-fit services, engineering, site preparation & installation. K-Con serves commercial and government entities in the Charleston area and throughout the United States. K-Con specializes in commercial, light industrial and government construction.

Fun Fact: For 22 years, K-Con has organized a Thanksgiving dinner cookout for children and staff at the Carolina Youth Development Center, complete with 50 turkeys and fixings, music, games and entertainment.

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

2

From the entire team at BbI, we are proud to represent South Carolina as the #1 Fastest Revenue Growth Small Business for 2020!

www.scbizmag.com

www.BroadbandInfrastructure.com

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

4

Number of local employees: 30 Top local executive: Paul Nichols Founder/CEO Product or service: Granite and Stone Fabrication Year founded locally: 2015 Brief company bio: The Upstate’s countertop solution, UGS offers “Rock. Solid. Service.” and superior products. When Paul Nichols founded the company, he cut granite on his back porch by hand, taking two hours to cut a single slab. Today, two high-tech machines make a more precise cut in 12 minutes.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

We see continued growth and we are planning our next phase of growth and expansion. As a company we are planning to add equipment and staff that will allow us to keep up with the rapid growth.

www.scbizmag.com

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Upstate Granite Solutions

5

Docugraphics LLC

Number of local employees: 35 Top local executive: Thomas Fimian Product or service: Authorized Xerox agency & dealership Year founded locally: 2002 Brief company bio: Docugraphics provides a white-glove print service approach for its copiers, multifunction printers, digital presses, printers and print management solutions to businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies.

How have you handled the challenges of 2020?

It was important to us to keep the team together. We decided not to do any downsizing or restructuring. Instead, we focused on learning new things and adjusting to the situation we were in. We used the time we had to train our tech team on new products and services; we expanded our portfolio into areas that we were always interested in getting into.

Accountfully

Number of local employees: 28 Top local executive: Brad Ebenhoeh Product or service: Outsourced Accounting Service Provider Year founded locally: 2012 Brief company bio: Accountfully is a modern outsourced accounting firm that serves modern brands and businesses. By challenging the traditional accounting firm model, embracing technology, and emphasizing the importance of a work-life balance, it allows clients to focus on their small business, creative pursuits or entrepreneurial ventures.

Fun Fact: Accountfully is owned by a married couple, Brad and Meredith Ebenhoeh, who have led the growth of the company while having three-year-old twins.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! Celebrate with a reprint!

Choose between a hard copy reprint or an e-print (electronic pdf).

For more information, contact Lisa Arnold at (717) 323-5213 or LArnold@BridgeTowerMedia.com

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

7

Pintail Capital Partners

Number of local employees: 12 Top local executives: Ross Kester, Stuart Wyeth, Tyson Smoak Product or service: Commercial Real Estate Year founded locally: 2015 Brief company bio: Pintail Capital Partners is a Greenville-based commercial real estate company with reach across the southeastern United States. Pintail draws upon more than 95 years combined experience to offer investment sales, brokerage and development services for clients in retail, medical and professional office leasing, development and sales.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

COVID-19 has thrown us all for a loop this year. Looking ahead, we continue targeting pandemic and Amazon-resistant sectors of the market such as health care and convenience-retail.

8

Ceterus Inc.

Lee & Associates Greenville/Spartanburg

Number of local employees: 14 Top local executive: Randall Bentley, president Product or service: Commercial Real Estate Year founded locally: 2011 Brief company bio: Lee & Associates is a commercial real estate brokerage, management, and appraisal services firm with offices in the U.S. and Canada. In Upstate South Carolina, the firm specializes in representing owners and occupiers in the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of Industrial, Office, Retail, Flex, Land, and Investment properties.

If you were giving advice to business owners, what would be the three most important tips you would include?

1. You have to stay positive. 2. It’s never a right time to do the wrong thing and it’s never a wrong time to do the right thing. 3. You need good people. They’ll do the right thing every time.

www.scbizmag.com

Number of local employees: 40 Top local executive: Levi Morehouse Product or service: Accounting software and services for small and medium business.

Year founded locally: 2013 Brief company bio: Ceterus exists to empower small business entrepreneurs by pairing technology with people to deliver a donefor-you accounting solution with benchmarked reporting designed for multi-location small businesses and franchisees.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

We expect cloud-based, technology-enabled professional services to grow rapidly. We are developing the proper mix of automation and personal consultation to meet the accounting needs of small business entrepreneurs in the future.

9

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

Thank you SC for your business!

HELPING PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT FROM TECHNOLOGY

WINNER OF THE

Contact us: 843.278.1827 www.CanteyTech.com

8-TIME WINNER

10

Catch Talent

Number of local employees: 10 Top local executive: Christina Lock Product or service: Technical Recruiting Services Year founded locally: 2015 Brief company bio: Catch Talent is a high-touch recruiting agency that delivers end-to-end talent acquisition solutions to growing technology, digital media, and professional services companies.

Catch specializes in the full talent attraction life cycle by sourcing and recruiting qualified candidates who are interview-ready, culturally aligned, and ready to make an immediate impact.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

The future of hiring will be a hybrid of remote and onsite roles.

We are really becoming SMEs in remote hiring and how to engage employees who aren’t in person every day.

Tideline CPA GROUP LLC

Congratulations Cantey Tech Consulting

www.scbizmag.com

who has been named one of the Roaring Twenties for 2020.

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1417 Stuart Engals Blvd, # 202 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464-3775 843-972-3767 www.tidelinecpas.com

11

Cantey Tech Consulting

Number of local employees: 64 Top local executive: Willis Cantey Product or service: IT Support & Consulting Year founded locally: 2007 Brief company bio: Operating out of a building that has twice been struck by lightning, Cantey Tech Consulting tailors information technology solutions that are right for organizations of all sizes.

With a 97% customer satisfaction rate, Cantey takes the time to understand clients’ business goals and objectives, then develop a technology plan and budget that gets them there. f you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would it be?

Buy Amazon stock! Also, determine which clients were the right fit and focusing on them instead of trying to be everything to everyone.

Southeastern Institute

Number of local employees: 36 Top local executive: Timothy Van Horn Product or service: Educational Training Year founded locally: 2007 Brief company bio: The Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy of Columbia and the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy of Charleston were founded in 1997. In 2009 it changed its name to Southeastern Institute and began offering associate degrees in business, sonography, information technology, medical assisting, occupational therapy assistance and radiologic technology.

Fun fact: 90% of the staff are first-generation college graduates.

14

Crawford Strategy

High Spirits Hospitality

Number of local employees: 75 Top local executive: Tammy Johnson Product or service: Events, Venues, Security Year founded locally: 2011 Brief company bio: High Spirits Hospitality started out as a small bartending company working out of the owner’s garage and has grown into a sustainable business with 30 full-time employees and over 100 part-time employees. All its brands are unique and serve a different purpose, operating with the vision of providing exceptional, hospitality-driven service for every guest and client.

Fun Fact: Our CEO is allergic to caffeine, which makes working 14-hour event days really tough!

15

Big Red Box Coastal

Number of local employees: 12 Top local executive: Gantt Taylor Product or service: Waste Management Services Year founded locally: 2016 Brief company bio: Big Red Box Coastal is the Lowcountry’s resource for disposal bin rental with a 99.9% customer satisfaction rating. Fifteen and 30-cubic-yard bins are delivered within 24 hours of booking so customers can get to work on their project right away.

Fun fact: Although Taylor wears the CEO title, the firm is run by his three-year-old Rottweiler, Elle, who provides verbal warnings to anyone not performing up to par. Major infractions are met with chewed shoes.

www.scbizmag.com

Number of local employees: 30 Top local executive: Marion Crawford Product or service: Marketing & Communications Year founded locally: 2010 Brief company bio: A full-service marketing and branding agency located in Greenville, Crawford has developed deep expertise in health care, finance, education and destination marketing. By combining compelling, creative ideas with a strong visual identity, Crawford advances its clients’ brands and builds their businesses.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

Our industry changes almost constantly, but the biggest change is digital. It’s important to have a team that can adapt and embrace on a minute-by-minute basis. Our team brings the latest techniques and innovations to our clients to help them succeed.

13

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

12

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ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

16

Number of local employees: 47 Top local executive: Traci Newkirk Product or service: IT Staffing and Consulting Year founded locally: 2003 Brief company bio: Intellectual Capitol is one of South Carolina’s most trusted suppliers of technology solutions for companies that want to augment their staff with qualified IT talent. A woman-owned business with a diverse team, ICAP offers clients state-of-the-art software development so they can serve their own customers better.

How has your personal approach to leadership changed as your company has grown?

We have become sledgehammers — our goal is to empower our people and then move the obstacles out of their way so they can be successful.

www.scbizmag.com

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Intellectual Capitol

Matt O’Neill Real Estate

Number of local employees: 70 Top local executive: Matt O’Neill Product or service: Residential Real Estate Sales Year founded locally: 2012 Brief company bio: The Wall Street Journal ranks Matt O’Neill Real Estate as the No. 1 high-end real estate team in South Carolina.

They have helped over 2,500 Charleston families sell their homes worth over $1 billion.

What is the main driver of this year’s revenue growth?

Almost half of our company revenue comes from past clients and referrals from people who have had a great experience with our company. This year, our company reputation has taken us to our incredible growth.

17

360clean

Number of local employees: 100 Top local executive: Barry Bodiford Product or service: Commercial Office Cleaning Year founded locally: 2005 Brief company bio: 360clean innovated “health-focused cleaning” that protects employees and clients from illness-causing germs while protecting a company’s bottom line. Most office cleaning service companies view clean based on how an area looks.

360clean takes it a step further to make it germ-free and infectionfree.

Fun fact: A member of our organization, Stanley Aughtry had a principal actor role in the movie Black Panther.

GenX Security Solutions

Number of local employees: 13 Top local executive: Wendy Heiks Product or service: Electronic Security Solutions Year founded locally: 2003 Brief company bio: A family-owned business providing security systems, access control, and fire and life safety alarm systems, GenX Security Solutions is a licensed commercial and residential security technology and fire technology integrator serving S.C., N.C. and Georgia How has your personal approach to leadership changed as your company has grown?

We hold family values close to our heart. We believe in working hard so you can have your free time at home on nights and weekends.

We don’t like to micro-manage our employees. Come to work, enjoy work, get your work done and go home and enjoy life!

20

exaqueo

Number of local employees: 3 Top local executive: CEO Susan LaMotte Product or service: Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing Year founded locally: 2016 Brief company bio: Exaqueo provides end-to-end employer brand solutions to create an impactful candidate and employee experience. The company builds employer brand strategies and then executes them through research, consulting, and creative and digital execution.

What changes do you see ahead in your industry and how are you reacting to them?

We see organizations stopping and starting in ways they never have before. That means having more cash on hand and taking a few less risks so we can be prepared for another wave of COVID effects on the business or the unpredictable effects the election may have.

ROARING TWENTIES WINNERS: SMALL COMPANIES

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CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! Celebrate with a reprint!

Choose between a hard copy reprint or an e-print (electronic pdf).

For more information, contact Lisa Arnold at (717) 323-5213 or LArnold@BridgeTowerMedia.com www.scbizmag.com

41

S.C. DELIVERS

Ports, Logistics & Distribution

Five new ship-to-shore cranes arrived in Charleston on Oct. 26 to be reconfigured, outfitted and reconnected for service at the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal, which is expected to open in March. (Photo/English Purcell, SCPA)

SHIP-TO-SHORE CRANES ARRIVE AT NEW CHARLESTON PORT

By Teri Errico Griffis tgriffis@scbiznews.com

www.scbizmag.com

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hen Hua 36 has arrived.

Around noon on Oct. 26, the vessel carrying two of the S.C. Ports Authority’s five new ship-to-shore cranes reached the Columbus Street Terminal in Charleston en route to the new Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal a few miles up the Cooper River in North Charleston.

The ship spent three months traveling from Shanghai, where the cranes were fabricated by ZPMC Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. With a lift height of 169 feet — in comparison to the Wando Welch Terminal’s cranes at 155 feet — the cranes are some of the tallest on the East Coast. They have an additional outreach of 228 feet — or 26 containers wide — that enables them to work the largest container ships that will call on the port once the Charleston Harbor deepening project is complete.

Zhen Hua 24, which is carrying a second shipment of three additional cranes and four hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes, arrived Nov. 3.

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The first delivery of new cranes for the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal in North Charleston arrived in port on Oct. 26. A second shipment of cranes was delivered in early November and more cranes are on the way prior to the new facility’s opening in March. (Photo/Walter Lagarenne, SCPA)

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“We are thrilled to see the amazing progress happening at the Leatherman Terminal every day,” S.C. Ports COO Barbara Melvin said. “The arrival of our new ship-to-shore cranes highlights that our terminal is inching closer to its March opening. Our S.C. Ports engineering team, our great partnership with ZPMC, and the unmatched collaboration with our project partners have made this possible.”

At the port’s September board meeting, Walter Lagarenne, the SCPA’s director of engineering and permitting, said that Phase I of the 286-acre Leatherman Terminal is on track for a March opening, and that everything in place for the cranes’ arrival.

They will stand on the terminal’s new 1,400-foot wharf and will be used to lift cargo containers onto the port side of the waterfront.

Melvin said the SCPA was very diligent in planning the cranes, including the manufacturer, the right sizes and ensuring the

cranes could fit under the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

“We researched what to order and looked around the world at who served the ports that had the largest containerships,” she said.

ZPMC currently makes up more than 70% of the global market for port equipment. More than 250 ports in 97 countries use its cranes and machinery, the company said.

Ed Stehmeyer, project manager at SCPA, said that two ZMPC crews will be working on two cranes at once for a goal of three to four cranes up and running by the terminal’s March opening.

The cranes were docked at Columbus Street Terminal for two days after arrival while ZMPC crews removed the sea fastenings and lowered the booms to allow it to fit under the Ravenel Bridge.

The ship, which is repurposed from an old bulk liquid vessel, Stehmeyer said, continued up the Cooper River to the Leather-

man Terminal where ZPMC offloaded the cranes and began the re-assembly process, which will take four to five months.

Stehmeyer said the SCPA will be involved in the day-to-day aspects of installing the cranes, which had their electrical connections cut and were lowered to make the trip overseas.

“We’ll then get in the operator’s seat and start testing,” he said.

Following its completion, Phase I of the new Leatherman terminal will add 700,000 TEUs of annual throughput capacity to South Carolina’s port system. The terminal is expected to double the system’s current capacity of 2.4 million TEUs after all phases are complete.

“The terminal and these cranes are setting us up for what we have demand-wise now, but also for five to 10 years down the line,” Stehmeyer said.

Reach Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

S.C. DELIVERS www.scbizmag.com

8100 Palmetto Commerce Pkwy North Charleston, SC 29405 terminal: 843-767-8693 | fax: 843-767-8893 www.cowboyusallc.com

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S.C. DELIVERS

DISTRIBUTION

Staff Report

Dockside Logistics to open distribution center in St. George

A

warehouse and distribution company has purchased a 100,000 square-foot speculative industrial building from Dorchester County, the S.C. Commerce Department said in a news release.

Dockside Logistics plans to invest $8.5 million in the operations at the Winding Woods Commerce Park, which is operated by Dorchester County Economic Development.

The speculative building was purchased for $3.675 million, said commercial real estate company Avison Young, which represented Dorchester County Development Corp. in the sale.

“Establishing a state-of-the-art distribution center in Dorchester County gives us a competitive advantage in the region,” Dockside Logistics Managing Member Steve Young said in a statement.

S.C. Commerce said the building located at 4756 U.S. Highway 78 in St. George will be used as a distribution center and Dockside Logistics will employ about 26 workers

Dockside Logistics plans to invest $8.5 million in a new distribution center at the Winding Woods Commerce Park in Dorchester County. (Photo/Provided)

there. The company has existing locations in Charleston, Greenville and Houston.

Dockside Logistics, which was founded in 2006, provides warehouse, distribution, third-party logistics, packaging and fulfillment services, the company said.

Dorchester County Council Chairman George Bailey said this announcement shows that speculative buildings are “a proven tool” to attract companies to a new

commerce park, such as Winding Woods.

“We welcome Dockside Logistics to St. George and look forward to their great success,” Bailey said in a statement. “Their decision to purchase the county’s speculative building reinforces what we always knew to be true, if you build it, they will come.”

The company expects operations at the St. George distribution center to be open by the first quarter of next year.

SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

www.scbizmag.com

With distribution provided by the Port of Charleston to their global audience of partners, prospects and clients - there is an opportunity for you to reach your target audience.

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Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities in our collection of port publications.

Grady Johnson: 843-849-3103 or gjohnson@scbiznews.com

Staff Report

DISTRIBUTION

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investment, according to a news release. The new facility is expected to bring 80 new jobs to the area after a February 2021 completion date.

Since 1938, the company has manufactured and shipped more than 17 billion paper sticks across North America and beyond for cotton candy, cotton swabs and candied apples. The

closer to regional paper sources.

“South Carolina Ports’ efficient operations and access to global markets attracts companies like Setterstix to invest in South Carolina,” Jim Newsome, president of S.C. Ports Authority, said in a release. “We look forward to partnering with Setterstix to ensure future growth.”

www.scbizmag.com

ineage Logistics, a refrigerated warehouse and distribution company with more than 300 facilities throughout the world, is expanding its operations in Charleston County with a $34 million investment expected to create 36 jobs, according to a news release from Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

The family-owned business, located on Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, provides temperature-controlled logistics solutions via facilities in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

By growing its North Charleston operations, the company hopes to increase its ability to meet customer needs for efficiency of temperature-controlled supply chains around the world. The expansion project is expected to be completed by February.

President and CEO of Lineage Logistics Greg Lehmkuhl said that Charleston has so much to offer the company, including first-rate infrastructure, a top-ranked port and a skilled workforce.

“South Carolina’s numerous business advantages, in addition to the booming market, have helped Lineage to better service our export and import customers, as well as our domestic shipping partners,” he said.

For North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, Lineage Logistics’ expansion brings confidence that North Charleston is a city in which businesses can flourish.

“We applaud the company’s success and are thankful for the capital investment and job creation in our community,” he said.

Lineage Logistics, which was founded in 2008, opened the North Charleston operation in 2016.

“South Carolina continues to provide the ideal location and infrastructure companies need to get products to customers,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said. “And, today’s announcement by Lineage Logistics serves as yet another indication of that fact.”

S.C. DELIVERS

Lineage Logistics N.Y. stick maker to build in Upstate move, facilitated through job development Setterstix Corp.a paper stick manufacturer to expand, create headquartered credits from the state’s Coordinating Council in Cattaraugus, N.Y., will for Economic Development, will cut logistics establish a new facility at 830 International 36 new jobs costs for the company and move its facilities Blvd., Fountain Inn, through an $11.7 million

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www.scbizmag.com

1,000 WORDS

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The CMG CGM Brazil makes its way through Charleston Harbor under the Ravenel Bridge en route to the S.C. Ports Authority Wando Welch Terminal on Sept. 20. It is the largest container ship to visit the U.S. East Coast at 1,204 feet long and can carry up to 15,700 standard containers.

The Charleston Harbor is currently being deepened to 52 feet to accommodate these large ships that can now call on East Coast ports thanks to the expansion of the Panama Canal in 2016. (Photo/Kim McManus)

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