2017 Charleston County Economic Development - A Year in Motion

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A YEAR IN

MOTION

Dear Colleagues and Friends: It is with great excitement that I present to you ‘A Year in Motion,’ capturing the past year of activities and accomplishments of the Charleston County Economic Development Department.

The year 2017 has been a watershed for our program from several perspectives: •

We ‘doubled’ our staff from five to ten members, creating new office capabilities in Research and Marketing/Communications, deepening our ‘bandwidth’ in our all-important Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) mission which serves existing businesses within the County, and stepping up our game in recruiting newcomers. We raised the standards for our staff, gaining new organizational and individual certifications and garnering awards for our initiatives.

•

We ‘doubled’ one of our important annual department metrics, helping to leverage 15 public announcements (as of September 2017), accounting for $85.4 Million in new capital investment and 1,063 new jobs. Our assistance with location siting, workforce, permitting, and financial incentives added great value to the business rationale for these new and expanding company decisions.

These results over the past year are continuing evidence of the “fertile business soil” in Charleston County, and they include local businesses as well as those headquartered elsewhere. This has been a year of break-through accomplishments, with new records being set at our Airport, at the Port of Charleston, in our real estate and construction sectors, and in hospitality.

We are committed to supporting continuous growth by our companies, as well as career opportunities for every stratum of our public. They say the “rising tide lifts all boats,” and in April 2017 the Brookings Institute named Charleston as only one of four metros in the U.S. where “inclusive economic growth” helped raise the standard of living for a majority of workers of all races and ethnicities. During 2017 we had the pleasure of helping our companies create everything from warehousing and call center positions to advanced automotive manufacturing, cyber security, and biotech opportunities.

In closing, as we enter 2018 we are thankful to enjoy the great support from County Council and our allies, and feel privileged to work with the business community in Charleston. Let’s make some more history in 2018!

J. Steven Dykes Executive Director Charleston County Economic Development

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Council Members Jennifer Miller, Administrator Chairman A. Victor Rawl Henry Darby Anna B. Johnson C. Brantley Moody Teddie E. Pryor, Sr. Joseph K. Qualey Herbert Ravenel Sass, III Dickie Schweers J. Elliott Summey

Charleston County Economic Development STAFF

Steve Dykes

Merle Johnson

Jennifer Brown

Jay Kramer

Keith Lambert

SCCED, AICP Executive Director

Director of Operations

Director of Business Retention & Expansion

Existing Industry Specialist

Director of Business Recruitment

Kedyky Sherrill

Ashley Richardson

Reggie Fuller

Janel Spencer

Heather Ford

Director of Business Research

Director of Marketing & Communications

Director of Finance & Technology

Executive Assistant

Office Manager

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Thank You!

Economic Development is a team sport and we celebrate our accomplishments with our many partners.

AT&T

Harbor Entrepreneur Center

Municipal Allies:

Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments

Home Telecom

Awendaw

Lowcountry Graduate Center

Charleston

Berkeley Electric Cooperative Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Charleston County Government/ Departments Charleston Defense Contractors Association Charleston Digital Corridor Charleston International Airport Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Charleston Regional Development Alliance Charleston Southern University Clemson University College of Charleston

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Lowcountry Local First

Folly Beach Hollywood

readySC

Isle of Palms

SC Power Team

James Island

SC State Ports Authority

Kiawah Island

SC Works

Lincolnville McClellanville

SCANA

Meggett

South Carolina Department of Commerce

Mount Pleasant

South Carolina Department of Revenue

North Charleston

The Citadel

Ravenel Rockville

Trident Technical College

Seabrook Island

University of South Carolina

Sullivan’s Island

ANNOUNCEMENTS August 2016 – August 2017

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TOTAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Golfbreaks.com

1,146 TOTAL JOBS

Ingevity

$92.5M TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Ingredion

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Announcements Timeline

Shimano

Golfbreaks.com

NexGen Composites

“There are 30 million golfers in North America compared with four million in the U.K., and if we can capture the same five percent market share as we have in the U.K., we will be sending 1.5 million North American golfers on golf vacations annually at some point. This, in turn, will provide career opportunities for literally hundreds of Charleston area residents.

The opportunity is hugely exciting, and we are thrilled to have chosen the Lowcountry for our North American headquarters. From the State of South Carolina to the Charleston region, we could not have been given more support so far, for which we are extremely grateful!”

“We are excited to establish a manufacturing facility in Charleston. This new facility will specialize in the design and manufacturing of containerized structures as well as welding, fabrication and assembly of lightweight aluminum structures. The Charleston facility will greatly complement our fiberglass composite panel manufacturing capabilities in Ohio.

The availability of skilled workforce, proximity to the Port of Charleston and key customers were important factors in our decision to select this strategic location.

The business-friendly climate and the support from the regional economic development authorities have been extremely helpful. We look forward to growing our business in the Charleston area in the near future.”

– Daniel Grave, Golfbreaks.com USA CEO & Co-Founder

AUGUST 2016

– Dr. Rob Banerjee, NexGen President & CEO

SEPTEMBER 2016

OCTOBER 2016

NOVEMBER 2016

Carver Companies “I am humbled by the hospitality shown by the Charleston business community, as well as the state and local economic development folks here in the greater Charleston area. We look forward to developing a long and mutually-beneficial relationship with both, as Carver Companies continues to grow and bring more jobs to South Carolina.”

– Carver Laraway, Carver Companies President

DECEMBER 2016

– Dave Pfeiffer, Shimano American President

Mid-States Packaging “Mid-States Packaging is so excited to be opening up in North Charleston, South Carolina. We know this fantastic location is a perfect fit for our growing company.”

– Tracy Giroux-Harpin, Mid-States Packaging Co-Owner

JANUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2017

JEAR Logistics

Safran

Bintelli

PhishLabs

“Our success begins with our people. Their level of commitment to working together to serve is the core of our team-focused culture.

Charleston, South Carolina gives us the perfect setting and infrastructure to continue our growth.”

“It is with much anticipated excitement that we are opening this new facility with a capital investment of $7 million in South Carolina, a rapidly booming aerospace cluster. We have increased our footprint significantly with this customized facility and are also expanding our local workforce.”

“Our recent Charleston expansion has given us the ability to continue to grow and better support our dealer family and end users. With a large manufacturing team, increased inventory and additional sales and support staff, we are finally able to run our program the way we have envisioned for the last few years. It’s a really exciting time for us at Bintelli, and thus far, our dealers and customers have been extremely excited about the early returns of our expansion.”

“Our team shares a passion for fighting cybercrime. What we do is incredibly meaningful, and that’s what drives us forward. Our new headquarters provides a great environment where team members can work together, grow their talents and make the world a safer, better place.”

– Mark Neumeyer, JEAR Logistics President

– Paul McDowell, Safran Electrical & Power Charleston General Manager

– Justin Jackrel, Bintelli President

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“Shimano’s American growth in S.C. allows us to become personally and professionally closer to, and more deeply connected to, the largest fishing markets in the country.”

– John LaCour, PhishLabs Founder & CEO

Alcami “The Charleston facility is an integral part of the Alcami network. We are excited about the growth potential of the site and its ability to support the increased demand for sterile drug product development and manufacturing.”

– Stephan Kutzer, Alcami CEO & President

MTAG Services “This is an exciting time for MTAG Services, as we position our company for future growth.

Mount Pleasant, S.C. provides the ideal location to attract top talent and entertain clients and prospects.”

– Jim Meeks, MTAG Services President & CEO

Protego

T-Mobile

“We are excited to bring our expansion to the Landmark Business Park on Palmetto Commerce Parkway. Accessibility to the Port and local suppliers is a key element for our future growth in the North American market.”

“T-Mobile is incredibly excited to open the doors of our new home in North Charleston – our latest and largest customer care center. We pride ourselves on being the best place to work, and this is going to be an amazing new workplace for our current and new Un-carrier experts dedicated to changing wireless for good.”

– Chris Mason, Protego (USA) President

– Callie Field, T-Mobile Customer Care Executive Vice President

Knapheide “The close proximity to the new MercedesBenz manufacturing facility made Charleston County an ideal choice for Knapheide, from both a collaboration and logistics perspective.”

– Mandar Dighe, Knapheide Vice President of Sales & Marketing

MARCH 2017

APRIL 2017

MAY 2017

JUNE 2017

Mission Solutions Group “We are excited to expand our presence here in the Charleston area as we continue to grow our business.

It is a terrific location with a tremendous amount to offer and will play a key role in enhancing our ability to attract and retain critical talent, avail ourselves of the service and capabilities in the area and network with other defense contractors that are all over the Lowcountry.”

– Damon Walsh, Mission Solutions Group Co-Founder & CEO

JULY 2017

AUGUST 2017

NCGS

A&Z Pharmaceutical

BoomTown

Ingredion

“NCGS’ core mission is to help develop new drugs that improve our lives. This is an exciting time of unprecedented discovery in our industry, and NCGS is proud that our success will translate into growth for our beloved Lowcountry community.

Our continued expansion and success, not only impacts new jobs, but furthers our philanthropic impact on the community.”

“Our goal at Fitness First USA is to help our customers achieve lasting health and wellness. We are very excited to open our first retail store and e-commerce facility in beautiful Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, a location known for abundant wellness activities and health-focused, active residents.

Charleston is a perfect community and market to build our brand.”

“Our continued growth has afforded us wonderful opportunities. We’re excited that our relocation and expansion can serve as a reflection of BoomTown’s investment in strengthening both the technology industry and job market in South Carolina, and the revitalization of Charleston’s upper peninsula.”

– Kevin McCourt, V.P. of Sales & Marketing, A&Z Pharmaceutical, Inc.

– Grier Allen, CEO & President of BoomTown

“With a pro-business environment, skilled workforce and excellent location, North Charleston is a great fit for Ingredion. One of the outstanding features of the area is the superior transportation that the Port of Charleston offers. Reliable transportation is essential to our business. We need a smooth-functioning system to deliver the raw materials used in our products as well as to deliver finished product to our customers. The proximity to the Port of Charleston is a clear advantage.”

– Nancy C.G. Snowden, NCGS CEO

– Jim Zallie, Ingredion Executive Vice President Global Specialties, President Americas

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ON THE MOVE

61,690 MILES

The number of miles the Charleston County Economic Development team has collectively traveled since January 1, 2017

THE PLACES VISITED FOR TRAINING, CONFERENCES, RECRUITMENT AND MARKETING TRIPS: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

DOMESTIC TRAVEL Arlington, WA

Everett, WA Seattle, WA

East Lansing, MI Detroit, MI Dearborn, MI Chicago, IL Toledo, OH Elkhart, IL Columbus, OH Indianapolis, IN Charlotte, NC

Beverly Hills, CA

Greenville, SC Atlanta, GA

Tucson, AZ

Amsterdam

Winston-Salem, NC

Paris

Columbia, SC

Innsbruck

Hilton Head, SC

Milan

New Orleans, LA San Antonio, TX

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Orlando, FL

Munich

Madrid

Testimonials

“Two and a half years ago our company made the decision to relocate our headquarters from Florida to Charleston. Without the assistance of Charleston County Economic Development, there is no way that the relocation would have happened. The entire team there helped us throughout all stages of the move including during the year prior to us even deciding that Charleston would be our future home. I can not thank the CCED team enough for all of the guidance they have provided us over the last several years. The move has been a success and we are proud to once again be working with them as we now search for a site to house a new manufacturing and distribution facility that we intend to build in Charleston County.”

“This is an exciting time of unprecedented discovery in our industry, and NCGS is proud that our success will translate into growth for our beloved Lowcountry community. We were very impressed with the level of professionalism and support we received from the Charleston County Economic Development.

The financial incentives offered by the County will allow us to continue expanding and succeeding, while creating new jobs within the community.”

Nancy C. G. Snowden CEO, NCGS, Inc.

“The support we have had with Charleston County Economic Development, Steve Dykes and his staff, is more like family than anything else. In 1993 when base closure was announced, Steve and his staff stood up and went to work. Not only did Charleston County Economic Development play a crucial role in attracting new business to the Tri-County area, they were the first agency to protect and help grow the existing businesses in our area. We look forward to working with Steve Dykes and his staff helping to attract new business while appreciating our existing businesses.”

“Since coming to South Carolina in 2009, The Boeing Company has greatly appreciated our deep relationship with Steve Dykes and the Charleston County Economic Development team. They are committed to the success of this region and we know they are as committed as we are to ensuring that Boeing South Carolina is successful for generations to come.”

Joan Robinson-Berry Vice President and General Manager, Boeing South Carolina

Danny Rowland Owner, CMMC, LLC

Justin Jackrel President, Bintelli, Inc. historically forward thinking

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A Ringing Success Charleston County Among Top 10 Counties for Jobs and Capital Investment 2017 YTD

2014 – 2016

Since 1993

$85.4 Million In Capital Investment

$780.2 Million In Capital Investment

$6 Billion In Capital Investment – Ranked #6

1,063 Jobs

4,136 Jobs

31,321 Jobs – Ranked #5

15 Announcements

19 Announcements

156 Announcements

One of the largest container ships to ever visit the U.S. East Coast, the 1,200-footlong COSCO Development calls on the Port of Charleston.

(Photo/SC Ports Authority)

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Victory Bell rings after every Charleston County Ec onomic Development Announ cement.

Expanding Our Horizons 2017

Jay Kramer, Kedyky Sherrill, Ashley Richardson and Janel Spencer graduate BEDC

DIGITAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Certification Charleston County Economic Development has received the designation of

Certified Digital EDO: This certification signifies that your entire organization has the skills to compete in the digital world, including marketing, business development, research, and more.

Ben Wright, CEO Community Systems

Charleston County Economic Development is a certified digital EDO agency

Jennifer Brown Graduates from OU EDI

Ashley Richardson, Charleston County Economic Development Director of Marketing and Communications, completed a comprehensive, 14-course training program offered to economic development marketers, business developers and researchers. Topics included how to develop (and keep) a reduced cost website, content management system, GIS property database, and CRM system for their organizations. For passing all the courses, Ashley is now a Certified Digital Economic Developer and Charleston County Economic Development is a Certified Digital Economic Development Organization (EDO)

by Community Systems.

Jennifer Brown, graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute in spring 2017. OU EDI is an intensive week long, three-tier program which provides a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional. Classes focus on three major core areas including: Business Retention and Expansion, Real Estate, and Finance, as well as areas of concentration in Marketing, Strategic Planning, Entrepreneurship, and Managing Economic Development Organizations. Students complete 117 hours of instruction with curriculum selected from more than fifty seminars, workshops, and discussion groups.

Four members of the team graduated from Georgia Tech’s 50th Annual Basic Economic Development Course. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for economic development practitioners. Core economic development topics as well as trends that are transforming the economic development profession were discussed during the fourday course in Atlanta, Georgia.

Business Concierge Series video is a finalist in the 2017 Spark! Awards The American Marketing Association Charleston chapter recognized Charleston County Economic Development as a finalist in the 2017 Spark! Awards in the video category for Business Concierge Series: The Code Lynx Experience. The video can be viewed at http://bit.ly/CCEDBusinessConciergeSeries.

2017 Spark! Awards Fina Best Promotional Video

Charleston County Econo mic De

list

Charleston County Busi

ness Concierge Series: C

velopment

odeLynx Experience

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A Look Inside

Charleston Digital Corridor i5K race

Volvo Car Open

North Charleston Business Expo

DIG SOUTH Interactive Festival

Hubner Manufacturing Flip the Switch Ceremony

Safran Grand Opening

Charleston Defense Contractors Association SBIOI Mount Pleasant Town Hall Grand Opening

SC Aeronautical Training Center Groundbreaking

Mercedes-Benz Vans headquarters visit in Germany

SCAC/AIAG Supply Chain and Quality Conference

Behind the scenes with Charleston County ED Film Crew

Charleston International Airport Rededication

Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day

Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance Conference

Comcast Grand Opening

Boeing Decorative Paint Facility Grand Opening

A&Z Pharmaceutical Ribbon Cutting

MTAG Services Grand Opening

Boeing 787-10 Rollout

Meet our Business Concierge Team

T

he Business Retention & Expansion activities of the department have been growing exceedingly. This past year marked over 165 interactions with existing industries. Our Business Concierge Team works continuously with all of our allies to provide access to resources and services so that each company can reach its full potential. Our team is here to assist with creating solutions, making key connections, and discussing expansion opportunities. This past spring highlighted a trip to the Midwest to visit 10 corporate headquarters of businesses that call Charleston County home. This was a great opportunity to thank their leadership for continuing to operate and grow in Charleston County.

On behalf of our existing industries, we have attended over 12 conferences, tradeshows, and events to spread the message that Charleston County companies are open for business! These conferences have ranged from the aerospace and automotive industry to the technology sector. We continue to facilitate the Tri-County Aerospace Group (TAG) in efforts of growing TAG’s customer and supplier base. Existing Industry is our number one priority: please allow our Business Concierge Team to assist your company with success and growth.

Tri-County Aerospace Group formed in 2014 to promote the growth of the industry among aerospace suppliers located across the Charleston South Carolina region. TAG assists membership education initiatives, connecting key relationships and providing access to business opportunities.

MEMBERSHIP: Acutec Industries, LLC Alpha Sheet Metal Works, Inc. AMT Senior Aerospace ARC Drilling, Inc. Boxell Aerospace Custom Equipment Co., Inc. Eaton

Impresa Aerospace Innovative Machining Technology Key Logistics Solutions, LLC Leatherwood Manufacturing, Inc. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Metalworx, Inc. MSI Viking Gage Multiplastics

Pacific Rim Aerospace Parker Safran SKF TIGHITCO UEC Electronics Vartan Product Support Venture Aerobearings

Learn more about the Tri-County Aerospace Group’s flight plan and members at TAGChs.com

Contact our Business Concierge Team: Jennifer D. Brown Director of Business Retention & Expansion jdbrown@charlestoncounty.org Jay M. Kramer Existing Industry Specialist jmkramer@charlestoncounty.org

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South Carolina Industry Impact Awards In its inaugural year South Carolina Department of Commerce created the Industry Impact Award recognizing select companies for their successes. Charleston County Economic Development nominated three companies for consideration and commend the tremendous work they do!

Nominations included topics like capital investment, job creation, community engagement, process and product innovation, human resource support, environmental/recycling stewardship, and sales growth.

Charleston County Industry Impact Award Nominees Small (1-100 employees)

Terressentia Corporation was founded in 2007 with the idea that technology can radically improve both quality and taste of premium spirits. The company applies its proprietary, TerrePURE® process to a wide variety of distilled and flavored distilled spirits (Bourbon, Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Rum, Whiskey...) for the private label, private brand, and domestic and global bulk spirits markets.

In 2016, the company was one of only three in South Carolina to receive a presidential award for their success in exporting.

The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for

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making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Terressentia currently exports distilled spirits to 18 different countries, the largest being the Netherlands, Belgium and Japan.

In South Carolina, the company has increased plant operations significantly over the last 10 years, growing from a 7,000-square foot facility to 25,000 square feet to the current 37,500 square foot facility, plus four outside warehouses and a corporate office.

Their demonstrated achievements and innovative product process is a true success story.

Medium (101-300 employees)

BoomTown, a Charleston, SC born software & digital marketing company is not only a leader within the digital economy as one of the largest and fastest growing tech companies in “Silicon Harbor”, they are also a trailblazer in business community engagement. In the last four years as the company has grown to more than 250 employees, a formal outreach program was created around connecting these employees to the culture and geography as well as making a significant investment in the community in which the company lives called BoomTownLOVE. Seeking to protect and foster the amazing quality of life

the employees experience living in Charleston the mission of the program is equally dedicated to improving the experience of the people, animals and natural resources within our home city and state. Rather than commit one day a year to giving back to those in need, or sporadic drives around random crisis in our area, BoomTownLOVE is committed to strategic significant full time investment in every aspect of our community’s well-being.

Through the BoomTownLOVE program countless volunteer hours and donations have touch several organizations including

but not limited to:The Nature Conservancy, Lowcountry Land Trust, Charleston Animal Society, Charleston Digital Corridor, Special Olympics South Carolina, Carolina Youth Development Center, Heart Artist Guild & Theatre Company for Exceptional Adults, Charleston Meals on Wheels, Be A Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ronald McDonald House, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Lowcountry Homeless Coalition, Enough Pie, The Upper Peninsula Initiative, Lowcountry Local First, Charleston Promise Neighborhood, Interdenominational Ministers Alliance, Dig South Interactive festival, Harbor Accelerator Program, Charleston Open Source, and Charleston Women in Tech.

BoomTownLOVE in support of Charleston Women in Tech is also helping to innovate the way communities reach across economic and social divides allowing children from underserved areas the encouragement and opportunity to enter the workforce of the twenty-first century. The program is called CodeON, which stands for Coding In Our Neighborhoods. With almost no overhead, no need to rent space or approve curriculum, hire employees or buy equipment, CodeON provides computer science resources, education and mentorship to kids in low-income areas at community sites within the neighborhood where they live and naturally congregate in

Nigeria practices coding lessons during a CodeOn meetup off America Street. (Photo/Charleston Regional Business Journal)

their spare time. These locations include community centers, churches, laundromats, and foster homes. The flagship site, located at a local laundromat, was featured in CNN Money and Upworthy, and even received praise from Eric Schmidt (Google’s chairman) over Twitter (see here). The program currently has three sites throughout the Charleston area and continually fields requests to broaden the program state and nationwide. BoomTownLOVE runs the nearby Rosemont Community Center location with volunteer support from BoomTown as well as Benefitfocus and Powerhouse tech companies.

As Chairperson of the Board of Charleston Women in Tech (which now boasts

over 1600 members and an invitation to White House Tech Day 2015) Nina Magnesson (Catalyst for Citizenship & Social Innovation at BoomTownLOVE) originally conceived of the idea to turn a celebration of “Hour of Code Day” held at the laundromat into the recurring after school computer lab which has become CodeON. As the program’s first tech company sponsor, BoomTown provided the needed Wi-Fi as well as all necessary snacks and supplies, coordinated volunteers, collected donated computers from area tech companies and created all collateral to get the word out to neighbors, kids and volunteers. BoomTown has also helped the program gain national recognition through

other Charleston tech community initiatives Nina leads as Co-Chair of Charleston Open Source and Member of South Carolina’s Department of Innovation Plan Steering Committee for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Nina has also coordinated public relations and awareness strategies promoting the program by meeting with government and community organizations from the Office of Senator Tim Scott, State Senator Marlon Kimpson (whose district boasts a CodeON site) and as member of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce Computer Science Education Advisory Board. In an effort to reach the communities we share and serve BoomTown has become a corporate member of the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance. Through these partnerships BoomTown advocates Charleston’s fast growing tech sector providing free computers and computer science education opportunities for as many children and adults in neighborhoods where there is little to no access to computers or Wi-Fi internet service to help everyone who wants to get online and join the digital age economy.

As CodeON continues to develop and streamline the ‘turn-key’ process of operations at the existing locations, the program envisions making these after school labs available inside every Charleston City

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Large (301 and greater employees) Parks and Recreation building that has electricity (providing Wi-Fi internet service where needed).There are currently waiting lists of Charleston tech companies whose employees want to volunteer as well as provide their own lessons in Cyber Security, Website Design, Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship. CodeON also provides the opportunity perhaps even most importantly for the kids to meet professionals who work in their own neighborhood tech companies in a casual and consistent setting where they learn that they too belong and may flourish in the culture of a growing tech company and even perhaps one day - start their own.

Since its inception in March 2016, CodeON has exposed more than 100 hundred children to code and tech professionals.

The leadership of BoomTown fundamentally believes that creativity fosters productivity, innovation and fulfillment of a great quality of product and life. This concept is listed in the Core Values of the company and described as ensuring that everything they endeavor to make and do is An Amazing Experience. BoomTownLOVE was established as a program for employees to have a consistent, impactful way to connect with the place and people where they live, sharing a commitment to create more amazing experiences together, shared with all.

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In 2016, the Cummins Turbocharger facility on Palmetto Commerce Parkway celebrated its 10-year anniversary of the first turbocharger coming off the assembly line at the Charleston Turbo Plant. In 2009, the two facilities at Leeds Avenue and Palmetto Commerce were consolidated into one Charleston Turbo Plant which now produces over 600,000 turbos annually. Since the first turbo in 2006, Cummins have sold over 5,000,000 turbos! Cummins Turbo Technologies is the largest producer of turbochargers for commercial diesel engines globally, and the Charleston Turbo Plant is a considerable and important part of our global manufacturing footprint.

The Charleston Turbo Plant has invested $5M+ capital projects between 2015 and 2016 as part of Cummins ongoing growth strategy and maintaining competitive advantage at Cummins Turbo Technologies. Capital projects include

improving product quality, manufacturing flexibility, maximizing equipment life and availability, reducing carbon footprint, and improving safe operations and assisting operators in complex tasks. All of these significant projects were delivered on time and on budget helping generate an additional 22 permanent jobs.

Cummins Turbo Technologies is also devoted to corporate responsibility boasting, “Everything we do leads to a cleaner, healthier (and) safer environment.” Cummins holds ISO 14001 environmental certification and OHSAS 18001 Safety certification from Bureau Veritas. For three consecutive years Cummins have been awarded ZERO Violation Award from North Charleston Sewer District.

Cummins Turbo Technologies is dedicated to serving and improving the community by partnering with 15 local organizations, delivering 2,700 hours of employee volunteer support in 2016. The

company’s annual campaign raised more than $100,000 for Trident United Way. In an effort to embrace the diverse perspectives of all people and honor with both dignity and respect, Cummins Turbo Technologies Affinity Groups and Diversity Councils provide support through initiatives such as buddy schemes to welcome new employees and STEM activities in local schools that draw on ethnically diverse communities. In order to deepen their community work and create focus for their community work teams, a long term strategy to was created to grow employment for under-served local communities.

Their demonstrated success in sales and investment growth, community engagement and corporate citizenry makes Cummins Turbo Technologies a “Best All Around” company for 2016.

2017 Economic Development Ambassador Ernest Andrade

Charleston Digital Corridor Charleston County is honored to recognize Mr. Ernest Andrade for his leadership and significant contributions that promote economic growth in our community. He is our 2017 Charleston County Ambassador for Economic Development.

Charleston Digital Corridor (CDC) was founded in 2001 and has been led by Ernest Andrade for the past 16 years. Based out of Charleston, CDC is a successful publicprivate business development partnership launched to attract, nurture and promote the region’s tech economy through an array of impactful programs, products and events while leveraging Charleston’s renowned livability.

Ernest brings a value and results-oriented mindset to his role at the Charleston Digital Corridor. His accomplishments include positioning Charleston as a premier destination for tech companies by growing the Digital Corridor from 18 to 120+ companies, launching CODEcamp, and developing the Flagships – soon-to-be three business incubators in downtown Charleston.

In an effort to connect career seekers to local tech and tech-related companies, Ernest developed CharlestonWorksTM – an online talent portal showcasing key sectors that are driving Charleston’s high wage economy, featuring more than 400 companies in the Charleston metropolitan area. Charleston County Economic Development partnered with Charleston Digital Corridor to add an aerospace category in early 2017.

For his dedicated service to the State of South Carolina, Charleston County, and the tech business community, it is our honor to recognize Ernest Andrade as the 2017 Charleston County Economic Development Ambassador.

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4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29405 CharlestonCountyDevelopment.com

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