BEST ADVICE Scott Sharp, TD Bank regional vice president
PAGE 4 VOLUME 27 NUMBER 1 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM
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JANUARY 11 - 24, 2021 ■ $2.25
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Why Charleston is a strategic location for career growth Editor’s note: This column by local executive and consultant Shawn Saulsberry originally appeared online and is published with permission as part of a special look at the coming year. More voices and insight can be found throughout this edition of the Charleston Regional Business Journal.
By Shawn Saulsberry
A
s a native of Charleston, one must think about why the city is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to build a career. Given these times of racism and social injustice, I also have to consider whether African
Americans, like myself, or indigenous people or people of color can actually have equal access to the components that make for a good career: education, experience, inclusion, mentoring, sponsorship and a broad network. In all honesty, See SAULSBERRY, Page 8
School focuses on in-demand hiring sectors
The Quin office project on the Upper Peninsula, one of Frampton Construction’s many projects, can be seen over a field of fog looking toward the Cooper River Bridge. Construction, which was a bright spot in 2020, is expected to remain robust in 2021.
Corps legacy
Citadel grad pledges $20 million to South Carolina’s military college. Page 5
ON THE
HORIZON
By Teri Errico Griffis
T
Upstate company’s product used to transport vaccine. Page 3
Daniel Island economist Stephen Slifer offers his outlook for several vital sectors leading the economy in 2021. INSIDE: Pages 15-20
Aerospace investing Charleston private equity firm invests in aerospace company. Page 7
INSIDE
Upfront................................. 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 Best Advice........................... 4 In Focus: 2021 Year Ahead.... 15 List: Executive Recruiting Firms................ 20 At Work...............................23 Hot Properties......................28 Viewpoint............................29
tgriffis@scbiznews.com
he first year at Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies hasn’t gone exactly as principal Vanessa Brown had imag-
EXPECT ECONOMY TO SOAR ACROSS U.S.
Pulling together
Shawn Saulsberry. (Photo/Kim McManus)
BUSINESSES OFFER INSIGHT INTO 2021 The Business Journal asked area businesses to tell us about their aspirations and trepidations for the coming year. INSIDE: Pages 12-13
Where you’re likely to get audited in S.C.
These counties have a higher rate of federal tax audits. Page 2
ined. The 84,000 square-foot career center in North Charleston opened in September to young men and women currently attending Burke, North Charleston and R.B. Stall high schools as well as Military Magnet. Enrolled students have the opportunity to study seven career pathways — architecture and construction; manufacturing; transportation, distribution and logistics; health science; arts, AV technology and communications; STEM; and information technology. All the programs of study align with immediate, high-demand, high-wage employment opportunities in the region, two-year technical school programs and four-year university degrees. At the building dedication last fall, Brown, a lifelong resident of North Charleston and a product of Charleston County schools, pledged that she and her staff would develop highly trained professionals. “Now students who live in the same See COOPER, Page 6