Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
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CRDA-Facilitated Projects
2016
Evonik
December 13, 2016
Precipitated silica for use in tire production
One of the world's largest specialty chemical companies, Evonik employs more than 33,500 people in more than 100 countries. The German firm will build a precipitated silica plant in the Charleston International Manufacturing Center at 1588 Bushy Park Road near Goose Creek, S.C., to supply the tire industry. A leader in tire production, South Carolina is also the United States' top exporter of tires. Completion of the new plant is expected by mid-2018.
NexGen Composites LLC
December 13, 2016
Design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and testing of lightweight composite structural panels with commercial & military applications
This new facility will specialize in the design and manufacturing of containerized structures as well as welding, fabrication and assembly of lightweight aluminum structures. "The availability of skilled workforce, proximity to the Port of Charleston and key customers were important factors in our decision to select this strategic location," according to company president and CEO, Dr. Rob Banerjee. NexGen plans to initially hire 5 workers, expanding to 18 over the next five years.
Safran
November 29, 2016
Assembly of wiring and landing gear for aircraft
Operating in the Charleston area since 2008, Safran is the provider of landing and braking systems, propulsion components, electrical wiring and electronics, and engineering services for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The French firm is expanding its Charleston County footprint by constructing a new facility adjacent to its existing operations. This $7 million expansion is expected to create 15 additional jobs in the Charleston Metro Area.
Thorne Research, Inc.
November 16, 2016
Nutritional supplement manufacturer
Thorne Research, Inc., a 30-year-old, privately held nutritional supplement manufacturing firm, will construct a new 240,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant and headquarters office in the Omni Industrial Campus in Berkeley County. This $35 million investment will create 330 new manufacturing and R&D jobs in the Charleston region and is expected to be fully operational by mid-2018. CEO Paul Jacobson said the firm chose the Charleston region to help meet their need for increased capacity and productivity resulting from their collaboration with The Mayo Clinic, the US Olympic Committee and others, plus their growing customer base.
Golfbreaks.com USA
November 4, 2016
Organizes golf travel vacations worldwide
Windsor, UK-based Golfbreaks.com, a specialty golf travel company, announces its expansion into North America with a new office in the Charleston SC Metro Area. Established in 1998 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, Golfbreaks.com organizes golf travel vacations for approximately 220,000 golfers annually. Initially focusing on destinations in the UK and Ireland, this first North American office will help the company add US, Mexico and the Dominican Republic to its golf vacation offerings. Golfbreaks.com USA is a participant in South Carolina's new Landing Pad program, an initiative that aims to assist established companies looking to enter the US or South Carolina markets for the first time. Landing Pad is a collaborative effort between South Carolina's Department of Commerce and the state's regional economic development alliances.
stoba
September 13, 2016
Manufacturer of machined components
stoba, a manufacturer of machined components for the automobile industry, is launching a new production plant in Berkeley County. The new development is expected to bring $7.7 million in capital investment and create 61 new jobs. Located at 2301 Charleston Regional Parkway in Charleston, S.C., stoba will be leasing a 43,000-square-foot facility to produce machined steel products for the automotive industry, specifically the latest technologies for gasoline direct injection fuel systems.
Lucey Fund
September 1, 2016
VC investment by Ireland-based Lucey Fund into Charleston-based Nannypod, a software company
Nannypod, a Charleston-based software company whose platform supports nanny agencies and babysitting services, will receive up to $200k in Regulation D 506(c) investment from Ireland-based Lucey Fund and will gain a software partner in Lucey Technology, Ireland's fastest growing tech company, and a 2013 Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star. The mobile software platform will provide nanny and babysitting agencies with tools to geo-tag sitters, register families, do background checks, scheduling, automated payments, group texting and more. This investment will expand the service, already successful in Charleston, towards a goal of 1,000 locations across the US in 2017.
thyssenKrupp Industrial Services NA, Inc.
May 11, 2016
Warehousing, FTZ services, export packaging
Located in Ladson, S.C., the company’s new facility will bring their regional footprint to 400,000 square feet of warehouse space. The Foreign Trade Zone-designated Charleston facility will operate as a distribution center, specializing in warehousing, transportation to and from the Port of Charleston, and export packaging. The thyssenKrupp's parent is located in Essen, Germany.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
April 23, 2016
Product assembly & light machining for the aerospace sector
The company announced they will be located in Summerville, the 24,000-square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational in fall 2016 with about 20 employees. That number will grow to more than 50 workers over the next few years. Founded in 1918, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. creates and enhances opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency for people who are blind, DeafBlind or blind with other disabilities. The organization has 13 locations on the West Coast.
Comcast
April 6, 2016
Customer care and technical support center
The company announced that it is building an 80,000-square-foot facility on 17 acres in Charleston County alongside Interstate 26 in the Ingleside Plantation development. The $21.4 million facility will house 550+ new employees and is expected to open late 2016. These employees will provide customer support for the Comcast X1 entertainment operating system, high-speed internet and digital telephone services.
