Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
Archive: 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
STAR COOPERATION USA Inc.
March 13, 2025
Consulting services with specialization in the automotive manufacturing sector
STAR COOPERATION offers a broad range of services across multiple industry sectors, including vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Charleston's rapidly expanding automotive manufacturing sector, skilled talent pool, and strategic proximity to key clients were cited by the firm as the driving factors behind its decision to expand into the Charleston region. The local office, located at the Charleston Tech Center on Morrison Drive, will primarily focus on consulting services in support of supply chain and electronics operations. "Charleston presents significant opportunities for new businesses, and we are eager to deepen our relationships with clients to ensure the delivery of top-tier services and products," said STAR CEO Joerg Gerstlauer. The company has additional U.S. offices in Atlanta, GA; Vance, AL; and Detroit, MI.
Keel / Metal Trades
March 11, 2025
Fabrication of large metal structures for maritime vessels including for the U.S. Navy
Keel Holdings will expand its Metal Trades campus on Younges Island in the Charleston region by constructing three new buildings: a preparation and paint facility, fabrication factory for Columbia-Class submarines, and an employee center. The expansion should be complete by 2027. Company CEO Brian Carter noted the company's choice to expand here relates to the growth of Charleston as a manufacturing hub, especially in the past ten to fifteen years.
IQ Fiber
February 24, 2025
Fiber optic broadband services
IQ Fiber, a Jacksonville, Florida based provider of 100% fiber-optic internet service, announces an expansion of its 10-gig capable network to the Charleston Metro Area. The first phases of the deployment include the West Ashley and Mount Pleasant areas within the Metro. This expansion continues the company's growth across the Southeast region of the United States. CEO Ted Schremp said that the company is making a $40 million investment in the area and plans to open a local office with 20 to 25 employees, choosing Charleston because of its above-average population growth. Construction of the Charleston area network has begun, and customers are expected to start coming online in late 2025.
HII
February 3, 2025
Manufacture of naval ships and defense technology for the U.S. Navy and other customers
HII, a global defense provider, has selected Berkeley County to establish the company's first South Carolina operation through the acquisition of virtually all of the assets of W International SC, LLC and Vivid Empire SC, LLC (collectively, "W International"), a South Carolina-based complex metal fabricator specializing in the manufacture of shipbuilding structures, modules and assemblies. In connection with the transaction -- completed on Jan. 22, 2025 -- HII will invest in new equipment as well as retrofit the acquired facility, located at 2040 Bushy Park Road in Goose Creek, to meet HII's manufacturing requirements. The renovated facility will operate within HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division and serve as a manufacturing center in support of Virginia-class, Columbia-class and aircraft carrier programs. "This transaction is a win-win with our new partners in South Carolina; we're excited to bring work and grow jobs. This lets us efficiently add trained talent and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to the urgent job of building ships, making it a unique opportunity to immediately accelerate throughput at Newport News Shipbuilding in support of the Navy and AUKUS," remarked HII President and CEO Chris Kastner.