BEST ADVICE Dixon Woodward, United Community Bank
PAGE 4 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 7 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM
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COVID-19 puts strain on supply chain By Patrick Hoff and Shamira McCray
Automotive shift Automation changing industry dynamics and workforce development. Page 17
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phoff@scbiznews.com smccray@scbiznews.com
s the new coronavirus has spread from Wuhan, China, around the world over the past three months, manufacturers and businesses in the Lowcountry are feeling the pressure of a strained supply chain.
“It’s difficult when we have something that’s so unknown like this,” said Mark Witte, associate professor of economics at the College of Charleston. “We don’t know how widespread it’s going to be. We don’t know how long it’s going to last. And that means that there’s just a lot of uncertainty.” The coronavirus has several strains, and a few typical strains that have circulated in the
See COVID-19, Page 12
Region expected to keep up growth as nation slows
New HQ
Home repair business PunchList moves headquarters to Charleston. Page 11
By Patrick Hoff
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Automated help
Charleston to add Citibot for residents, businesses to report problems in the city. Page 5
Packaging deal
Coastal Corrugated in North Charleston acquired by Wilmington, N.C., owner. Page 13
INSIDE
Upfront................................. 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 Best Advice........................... 4 In Focus: Automotive......................... 17 List: Law Firms................... 21 Bonus List: Headquarters Facilities.......24 At Work...............................25 Hot Properties......................29 Viewpoint........................... 30
United States for years have been the cause of about 25% of all colds in the country. COVID19 is a new strain of the coronavirus that first appeared late last year in Wuhan, China. Witte said because “money does not like uncertainty,” he wouldn’t be surprised to see businesses delay expansion plans or shift
ROLLING TOWARD THE
GREEN
Kiawah Island, PGA and regional partners gear up for the 2021 PGA Championship with significant changes to The Ocean Course. Page 6
Digital car lot
Technology moves more vehicles for used lot owners who leverage buying tools and who understand how buyers approach sales. Page 17
phoff@scbiznews.com
conomists expect growth in the region to continue through 2021, according to a report from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, even as the U.S. economy shows signs of slowing. Jacki Renegar, director of the chamber’s Center for Business Research, said accolades from around the world and a healthy business community have made it so the Lowcountry can outperform other parts of the country, “and that’s historically kind of what we’ve done.” “We’re a little bit buffered sometimes from recessions, so even if the nation goes into recession doesn’t mean the Charleston region will,” Renegar said. The chamber has been producing annual economic forecasts for nearly 30 years. Chamber President and CEO Bryan Derreberry said what makes this forecast different from other economic outlooks is the business expertise that is woven in. “The chamber’s immersion in the business community allows us to provide a distinctive forecast in a way that would be See OUTLOOK, Page 8