Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
CRDA-Facilitated Projects
Mainstream Pine Products LLC
January 29, 2021
Crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery
This facility will serve as the centerpiece of Mainstream’s strategy to become the highest quality, lowest cost producer of CTO derivatives in North America. CTO is a renewable, non-food resource and a byproduct of pine trees used in paper manufacturing. It is a vital component of many chemicals including renewable diesel processing products, lubricants, adhesives, inks, paints, coatings, and tire and rubber additives. Company officials say they chose the Berkeley site at Charleston International Manufacturing Center because it "affords an ideal manufacturing location in an integrated industrial park with reliable infrastructure and intermodal access for efficient delivery of source materials and shipping of refined products." The company anticipates starting construction later this year with operations commencing in 2023.
Vigilent Labs
October 29, 2020
Headquarters and manufacturing of COVID-19 rapid test kits
Established in 2019, Vigilent Labs provides unique solutions to the detection, identification and assessment of health and bio-threats. The company's team has substantial experience in the development of medical and bio-surveillance technologies as well as medical devices. Located at 1105 Truxton Avenue, Building 74 in North Charleston, Vigilent Labs' new operations will serve as the company's headquarters, which will include its East Coast production and manufacturing operations. Specifically, the company will work with its partners, SeroClinix and Leinco, to produce rapid COVID-19 antibody and antigen test kits. These FDA-approved and emergency use authorized test kits are cost-effective and will produce fast and accurate results in seven to 10 minutes. The new facility will begin manufacturing activities in December.
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
T-Mobile
March 4, 2021
Customer care center
T-Mobile US, Inc., one of the largest wireless network operators in the country, will expand its operations in Charleston County. The $10.2 million investment in its Customer Experience Center will create up to 540 new jobs, bringing the Charleston County location to a total of approximately 1,540 full-time employees. Located at 8571 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, T-Mobile expanded its Customer Care Center by 44,350 square feet to accommodate the company's growing customer care team. Company officials cited "the tremendous talent this area has to offer" as the reason they chose to expand their Charleston area facility.
Omatic Software
February 25, 2021
Data integration software
Founded in 2002, Omatic Software provides data health and integration solutions for nonprofits by democratizing data access and insight. The company services thousands of nonprofit organizations with innovative integration solutions to eliminate manual processes and provide up-to-date and complete data. Located at the Portside Ferry Wharf in Mount Pleasant, Omatic Software's expansion will serve as the company's corporate headquarters and will be its main hub for software research and development, as well as sales and operations. The firm's CEO said, "The Charleston community and its infrastructure have made it possible for Omatic and the tech industry to flourish through its business-friendly policies and collaboration. I have grown to appreciate the unique combination of industry and culture that Charleston has to offer."
Downsizing
ARD Logistics DBA Key Logistics
September 30, 2020
3PL services
A Ladson company that provides logistics services for Cummins Turbo Technologies is laying off 106 workers, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be out of a job. ARD Logistics, which does business as Key Logistics Solutions, told the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce that Cummins “has decided for strategic reasons” to terminate its contract as of Sept. 30. All of the workers are expected to be hired by Cummins or another logistics firm working with the turbocharger manufacturer. “We are currently working on a transition plan to seamlessly move this work back to the Cummins organization or a third-party identified by Cummins,” said ARD Logistics officials.
Thrace LINQ Inc.
June 16, 2020
Mfg & distribution of geosynthetics and industrial fabrics with applications in automotive, construction and other sectors
The textile firm has sold its local property and moved its operations to an affiliated facility in Scotland, affecting 70 local jobs. Athens, Greece-based Thrace Group cited slowing demand for its products in the United States as one of the reasons for the move. A Boston-based affiliate of GFI Investors purchased the 563,154-square-foot building on 43 acres at 2550 W. 5th St. for $14.5 million, according to Dorchester County property records. The group plans to renovate the site with a new roof, parking lot, paint and rehabilitation of the adjacent Norfolk Southern rail site. GFI will rebrand the property as Eastport Industrial Complex.
