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
Leidos
July 6, 2023
Manufacturing Center of Excellence for Leidos' Security Enterprise Solutions (SES) -- security systems for screening checked baggage, cargo and passengers
Fortune 500 firm, Leidos, announces plans to establish a new operation in Charleston County. This new manufacturing facility will be the third in the U.S. and will produce Virginia-based Leidos' Security Enterprise Solutions (SES) systems. SES offers a suite of fully automated and integrated solutions for aviation, shipping ports, border crossings and critical infrastructure customers worldwide. The operation's comprehensive security detection portfolio has more than 30,000 products deployed across 129 countries. Locally, Leidos will lease a new 150,000-square-foot facility located in the Ladson Industrial Park in the North Charleston area. This new space will help bolster the company's critical capacity to support its growing customer base while optimizing manufacturing efficiency, quality and safety through the application of best-in-class manufacturing processes. Operations are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
Ranger Design
May 30, 2023
Manufacturer and provider of innovative fleet upfit solutions
Established in 1988, Ontario, NY-based Ranger Design is an innovative fleet upfitter offering products such as shelving, racks and accessories for commercial vehicles. Ranger Design's rapid design prototyping and state-of-the-art manufacturing process supports the trades workforce by developing tough, innovative products to make work more efficient and safer. The multinational firm's new Charleston area facility, located at 9035-K Sightline Drive in North Charleston, will enable the company to better serve its current customers with extra warehousing capacity, as well as to expand its footprint in commercial electric and gas-powered vehicles. Operations are expected to be online by the summer of 2023.
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
Honor LSV
July 20, 2023
Design, manufacture and assembly of golf carts and luxury low speed vehicles (LSV)
Honor LSV is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of golf carts and LSVs, and is a contract manufacturer that utilizes precision lasers and robotic welding while working with mostly American-made metals, plastics and other components to build its products. The company also provides in-house powder coat services utilizing its state-of-the-art, 9,000-square-foot automated powder coat line. Operations have begun at the company's 130,000 square-foot building located at 636 Omni Industrial Blvd. in Summerville. "I am beyond thrilled to be launching my third startup company, the second of which is in Berkeley County. There has never been a more important time to bring manufacturing back to America than now, and we are doing just that!"-Honor LSV Owner, Brian Plaisance
Heirloom Cloud Corporation
July 12, 2023
Headquarters for digital technology services firm
Founded by two veterans while working for the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., Heirloom uses cloud computing to digitally transform outdated media content. When looking to move its headquarters from Delaware, the owners searched for a business-friendly home from which to scale. They researched multiple regions within a two-day ground delivery to large population centers on the Eastern Seaboard before choosing Charleston County. The company chose the Harbor Entrepreneur Center located at 11 e-Wall Street in Mount Pleasant. This headquarters location will be the company's hub for receiving nationwide shipments and serving walk-in customers. Heirloom will continue using an existing facility in Berkeley County for backend operations. "We've already digitized millions of photos, home movies and other priceless memories. However, Heirloom can grow faster by moving our headquarters to South Carolina. From a larger fulfillment center here, we get to serve many more families who ship us their cherished media for conversion." -Heirloom Cloud Corporation Founder Geoff Weber
Downsizing
WestRock Paper Mill
May 2, 2023
Paper, packaging manufacturing
Closure set for Aug 30, 2023, announced by parent company in May 2023, affecting approximately 500 positions.
DAK Americas PET Resins
February 28, 2023
PET resin used in plastics and packaging
Closure affecting 125 positions
