Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties

Printed from www.crda.org

Current Initiatives

Wind Energy Research

Kudos to the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI) for winning a significant grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to build the world's largest next-generation wind turbine drivetrain testing facility at its North Charleston research campus. Once complete in 2012, this facility will be one of only three in the world and will be capable of testing drivetrains in the 7.5-15MW range.

Next Generation Learning

Charleston is among a handful of communities designated by the Ford Motor Co. Fund as a “Next Generation Learning Community,” a program designed to strengthen the connection between student education and preparation for the local workforce. Currently underway: a master plan for high school career academies with themes ranging from healthcare to engineering.

Complete Streets

A promising Metro-Charleston Bike Plan calls for a comprehensive network of bikeways connecting downtown Charleston with surrounding communities, including James Island, West Ashley, North Charleston, Daniel Island and Mount Pleasant. Developed by Clemson University’s Architecture Center in Charleston, the plan would provide inter-regional connections to serve commuters, recreational riders, tourists and local residents.

Burgeoning Biosciences

Significant developments in the area's bioscience sector have positioned our community for future success. MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center is now a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center, one of only 64 in the country. MUSC also received one of seven NIH Clinical Translational Science Awards, designed to speed the process between research and patient treatment. And to help bioscience startups hit the ground running, the SCRA MUSC Innovation Center opened its doors.

Sustainable Development

MeadWestvaco unveiled its conservation-focused master plan for East Edisto, nearly 79,000 acres of former timberland bordering the eastern edge of the Edisto River. The blueprint calls for maintaining 75% in permanently rural countryside and the remainder in a series of towns, villages, crossroad communities, and commerce centers. The first phase will be built out over the next 10 to 15 years.

Boeing Opens for Business

Construction for the company’s second 787 assembly line is complete on a 240-acre campus near the Charleston International Airport. This new 584,000-square-foot facility joins two existing operations where thousands of Boeing employees currently perform fabrication, assembly and systems installation for the 787 aft and mid-body fuselage. Boeing Charleston will be one of only three in the world where wide-body commercial aircraft are assembled and delivered. The first South Carolina 787 is expected to be rolled out late summer of 2011.

Buy Local, Be Local

Lowcountry Local First is rallying support for independent, locally owned businesses. The group's "Buy Local, Be Local" campaign educates Lowcountry residents to think local when they're considering purchases, buy local whenever possible, and be local by supporting businesses that keep our community unique. "Farm Fresh Food," a sustainable agriculture initiative, focuses on strengthening local farms by creating partnerships with area restaurants, institutions and the community.