Local Data

Location & Expansion Log

Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.

Archive:    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

2024

Mesa Land Services

December 17, 2024

Jobs: 24
Investment: $1.3 Million

Provider of easement acquisition and title search services, specializing in software that streamlines the utility easement acquisition process

Located at 1459 Stuart Engals Blvd. in Mount Pleasant, Mesa Land Services' new facility serves as the company's headquarters. Mesa's advanced technology and tools make title management faster and more accurate for customers. "As a woman-owned business specializing in title research and easement acquisition, I'm thrilled to bring our company to South Carolina. I'm excited to contribute to its growth by providing reliable, thoughtful solutions for landowners, developers and the broader community," noted Mesa Land Services President, Julie Mote. The firm is already operational and hiring.

The Boeing Co.

December 12, 2024

Jobs: 500
Investment: $1000 Million

Aircraft manufacturing

Boeing South Carolina (BSC) has been the home of the full 787 Dreamliner production cycle for more than a decade now, and the company fabricates, assembles, and delivers the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 from its Charleston area campuses to customers across the globe. Earlier this year, Boeing also acquired an operation in neighboring Orangeburg County at 174 Millennium Drive, expanding its South Carolina footprint. Today, Boeing announced its plans to expand both of its North Charleston campuses over the next five years, located at 5400 International Blvd. and 9775 Patriot Blvd., to support increased 787 Dreamliner production targets and potential future rate increases driven by market demand. This expansion plan comes on the heels of a nationwide restructuring announcement months ago, affecting the elimination of about 200 local positions. Still, with current plans to increase production to a rate of 10 airplanes per month by 2026, this boost of 500 jobs comes as welcome news for the Charleston region.

PTW

December 6, 2024

Jobs: 350
Investment: $1.2 Million

Gaming services: video game development and testing

Founded in Japan in 1994, PTW develops games for some of the industry?s largest publishers and studios, including Xbox Game Studios, Sony, Nintendo, Amazon Game Studios, Blizzard Entertainment and Warner Brothers. The company will establish a PTW Charleston office in part of a 30,000-square-foot office complex at 2387 Clements Ferry Road in Berkeley County in the city of Charleston. Sebastien Bisch, PTW's vice president of operations for the Americas noted, "Charleston stood out as the ideal location -- it's a growing tech hub with the perfect blend of proximity and highly skilled talent." This will be the company's fifth U.S. studio, with daily operations led by Bernhard Rieder, who will report to Bisch. "Expected to be ISO 27001 compliant by next year, the studio will provide an ideal environment for nurturing local talent and providing top-tier game development services to our clients, all from a secure facility," stated a press release by the company. Worldwide, PTW has 40 studios in 15 countries across North America, Europe, South America and Asia.

Ingevity

December 3, 2024


Investment: $53.3 Million

Headquarters for global specialty chemicals and materials manufacturing

Ingevity, a North Charleston-based global specialty chemicals and materials manufacturer, is investing $53.3 million over the next five years in the company?s Charleston County manufacturing facility. With more than 1,600 employees worldwide, Ingevity manufactures specialty chemicals and high-performance carbon materials that purify, protect, and enhance the world. The company uses renewable, biobased raw materials and creates value-added products for various demanding applications, including adhesives, agrochemicals, asphalt paving, certified biodegradable bioplastics, coatings, elastomers, pavement markings, oil exploration and production, automotive components and more.

Low Tide Brewing

November 14, 2024

Jobs: 33
Investment: $22.2 Million

Craft beer manufacturer

Founded on Johns Island in 2016, Low Tide Brewing produces award-winning craft beers and provides a variety of "one-of-a-kind experiences" for the public. The company is expanding into a 26,800-square-foot facility, located at 0 Beer Garden Way on Johns Island, which will include a state-of-the-art brewing system and event space. The new site is expected to be operational mid-2026.

OhmIQ, Inc.

November 7, 2024

Jobs: 21
Investment: $1.1 Million

Global headquarters and research and development center for ohmic conduction technology firm

OhmIQ, Inc., a world leader in ohmic conduction technology development and licensing, has announced the expansion of its Charleston County operations. The new 10,000-square-foot facility, located at 3860 Faber Place Drive in North Charleston, will serve as the company's global headquarters and research and development center. With its patented ohmic heating technology, OhmIQ delivers an innovative and sustainable method for electrically heating liquids and other substances rapidly and uniformly by passing electricity through the liquid itself. The company licenses this technology to businesses in various industries including food and beverage, chemical processing, and textiles, enabling increased productivity and competitiveness. "OhmIQ couldn't think of a better place to grow our operations than in the Charleston market. Given the high number of qualified engineers and other professionals, its ease to travel to, and its very attractive environment, North Charleston is a perfect place for our domestic and international clients to visit and support our R&D team," remarked CEO Frederique Pirenne.

Yusen Logistics

October 23, 2024

Transloading and distribution center

New Jersey-based Yusen Logistics Inc., which distributes imported goods for Target retail stores, announced a new 89,000-square-foot transload and distribution center at 2000 Charleston Regional Parkway near Daniel Island. The new center will replace a temporary site Yusen has been operating at the Port of Charleston for more than two years, and it will more than double the company's existing capacity. The Berkeley County warehouse "will support our retail shippers and importers in the booming Southeast," said Barbara Melvin, president and CEO of the S.C. State Ports Authority. "This investment provides much-needed capacity for our customers and keeps the South Carolina port market competitive." Greg Futato, senior vice president of Yusen's contract logistics group, added "This move allows us to enhance our capabilities to support the significant growth of our current major retail client and provide services to new customers in the Charleston market."

Smithey Ironware Company

October 15, 2024

Jobs: 16
Investment: $3.1 Million

Design and manufacture of premium cast-iron and carbon steel cookware

Founded in Charleston in 2015, Smithey recently expanded into a new headquarters at 1061 Everglades Avenue in North Charleston, which houses administration teams as well as a public showroom. The company also opened a new distribution warehouse at 2060 North Hobson Avenue in North Charleston to support expanding volumes of production and order fulfillment. "Smithey is excited to expand our operations and elevate our brand presence via our new public showroom in Charleston County as we continue to build the next great American cookware brand," said Smithey Ironware Company Founder and President Isaac Morton.

LifeTagger

September 27, 2024


Investment: $.25 Million

Software application that uses proximity to help businesses and organizations easily connect, engage, and communicate with customers and other users

South Carolina Research Authority's investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc., has invested $250,000 in LifeTagger. The tech firm became an SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company when they received their first investment of $100,000 in 2022. "This investment is a testament to the innovation we are driving at LifeTagger. We've built a platform that helps businesses truly connect with their customers, employees, and stakeholders by delivering personalized and timely interactions without overwhelming them. With SCRA and SC Launch's continued support, we're excited to take our technology even further, helping more companies transform how they engage and grow in this digital-first world," said LifeTagger Co-founder Marlon Brown. SC Launch, Inc. supports advanced technology and technology-based businesses with seed and follow-on capital to supplement funding from other sources, such as venture capital firms, strategic investors, angel investment groups, individual investors, and private equity firms. Returns from SC Launch, Inc. investments help fund future investments to continue to achieve its mission of fueling the state's economy.

Google

September 26, 2024

Jobs: 200
Investment: $2 Billion

2 new data center campuses

Google released a statement in Feb. 2024 about this development: "We have been proud to call South Carolina home for over fifteen years since we first put down roots in Berkeley County. Since then, we have partnered closely with local leadership, schools, and nonprofits to lift up the great work happening here. As we look to expand in the state, we have acquired property in Dorchester County for the development of a new data center campus. We look forward to growing our community here in South Carolina and will share details as this long-term project progresses." In September, a formal announcement was made regarding the ground-breaking for these two new campuses to "help meet growing Google Cloud demand in the region and deliver the digital products and services that people and organizations use every day." Monique Picou, Google's Global Vice President of Cloud Supply Chain and Operations noted, "Today marks a significant milestone in Google's collaboration with South Carolina. Our continued investment is a testament to the state's exceptional workforce and thriving business environment. Google data centers are the backbone of digital services that underpin our modern lives, along with tech innovation like AI. We're grateful for the collaboration with leaders in the state to not only grow our digital infrastructure here, but contribute to this thriving community." The new facilities, located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, will support growing demand for the company's cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to the new local investment, the company also announced new support for energy affordability programs and a local watershed health improvement project. Google will be providing $1.6 million in new funding to expand the reach and impact of an initiative designed to help fund critical pre-weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in South Carolina.

Google

September 26, 2024


Investment: $1.3 Billion

Expansion of Berkeley Data Center Campus

In conjunction with an announcement of the ground-breaking on two new data center campuses in Dorchester County of the Charleston Metro Area, Google also announced the expansion of its Berkeley Center in the Mount Holly Commerce Park in Moncks Corner. Data centers support digital services such as Google Cloud, Search and Maps. These tools have become an essential part of modern daily life, molding Google into a global brand with 17 operational data center campuses in the U.S. Established in 2007, the Berkeley County operation was the company's first in South Carolina.

East Coast Warehouse & Distribution

September 6, 2024

Jobs: 52
Investment: $14.5 Million

3PL service provider specializing in temperature-controlled logistics

East Coast Warehouse & Distribution announces the company's first South Carolina operation at 2015 Tellico Road in North Charleston in the Shipyard Creek Logistics Center near the SC Ports Authority's Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal. The new facility will be 259,000 square feet of warehousing space on 17.6 acres of land, with an additional nine acres for parking and storing 350 trailers and containers. "This new facility--our first in the market--will allow us to expand our footprint, improve productivity, maximize flexibility and offer increased speed to customers in the greater Charleston area," said CEO Jamie Overley. The company currently operates other strategically located facilities along the East Coast near the ports of New York and New Jersey, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Savannah. Operations at this new Charleston area facility are expected to begin in the summer of 2025.

Eveon Containers

August 20, 2024

Jobs: 25

North American headquarters for a global online supplier of decommissioned shipping containers

Founded in 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Eveon expanded into the United States and Canada, offering 24/7 purchasing and delivery options for decommissioned shipping containers. The company provides these sustainable building, shipping and storage solutions for its customers nationwide including businesses, educational institutions, government agencies and others. Eveon CEO, Aad Storm, remarked on the choice of Charleston for the expansion: "During our tour of various cities, Charleston distinguished itself through the strategic significance of its port, the emerging digital corridor and its distinctive charm. These factors were pivotal in establishing our foundation and launching our headquarters here. As part of our expansion, we relocated our customer service team from the Northeast to Charleston to ensure the southern hospitality organic to the Lowcountry was conveyed to our customers nationwide." This expansion will further support the online platform as it continues to grow globally.

Gigpro

July 30, 2024


Investment: $16 Million

Hospitality-focused staffing app

"Gigpro, an on-demand labor marketplace for the hospitality industry, announced today that it has closed a $16 million Series A funding round led by Foundry, with participation from Stage 1 Ventures and existing investors Stage 2 Capital and Detroit Venture Partners. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Gigpro's mission to revolutionize the gig economy by connecting businesses with skilled independent professionals efficiently and seamlessly. The infusion of capital will enable Gigpro to expand its platform and enhance its technological capabilities, while continuing to provide exceptional value to both businesses and gig workers." --PRNewswire.com

Portside Technology

July 9, 2024

Jobs: 89

IT services and technology infrastructure design and support

Founded in Charleston in 2020, Portside Technology provides professional IT services and technology infrastructure to small and midsize businesses in the Charleston area and beyond, with services ranging from design and procurement to installation and ongoing support. The firm is located in the Charleston Tech Center located at 997 Morrison Drive, and expanded into two larger office spaces across the second and fifth floors of the Center. "We are thrilled to continue our rapid growth in Charleston County; while it's a beautiful place to live and work, it's also a business-friendly environment for us to attract and retain top technology talent. With exciting opportunities and more growth ahead, we're proud to call Charleston our home," noted Portside Technology CEO Zach McNamara.

P3

July 1, 2024

Jobs: 2

Multinational consulting firm specializing in bespoke solutions integrating technology strategy, business process optimization, and organizational development; local expertise includes automotive, energy, digitization and other sectors

Founded in Germany in 1996 as a spin-off from a globally-recognized, leading technical university, P3 began with the goal of implementing an innovative new process and has remained focused on serving clients from innovation to implementation. The company has nearly 2000 employees across 30 locations globally. More than 250 of the firm's consultants, engineers and software specialists are now working on e-mobility, including powertrain systems, battery cells, and the charging infrastructure. P3 has established a Charleston office due to the region's growing economic base in this field.

Allegiance Flag Supply

May 22, 2024

Jobs: 84
Investment: $6.3 Million

Manufacturer of American flags

Founded in 2018, Allegiance Flag Supply recently expanded into a new 24,000-square-foot building located at 7600 Southrail Road in North Charleston. The firm produces high-quality, hand-sewn flags using locally-sourced materials and makes over 1,000 American flags each day, distributing to customers in all 50 states.

Fexillon

May 16, 2024

Jobs: 30

Digital asset management solutions for the building and property management fields

The Charleston Digital Corridor recently welcomed Fexillon to its esteemed community as the company establishes its US office in Charleston, South Carolina. The Irish firm is a leader in digitizing the built environment and is capitalizing on the Digital Corridor's thriving tech scene as an ideal platform to expand into the U.S. market. "Our expansion into Charleston marks a pivotal moment for Fexillon and the broader Irish tech community," said Kieran Beggan, CEO. "We're proud to bring Irish expertise and innovation to the global stage as we enter the U.S. market. Basing our U.S. operations in Charleston provides comprehensive coverage for our customer base, with promising growth opportunities in South Carolina and neighboring states....With South Carolina's tech-friendly environment and skilled workforce, we're positioned for growth while driving innovation, forming partnerships, and showcasing the prowess of the Irish tech sector worldwide." Learn more: https://www.charlestondigitalcorridor.com/news/1715614917871-charleston-digital-corridor-welcomes-irish-trailblazer-fexillon-thriving-tech-community/

TTS Studios

May 7, 2024

Jobs: 14
Investment: $0.845 Million

Custom fabrication firm specializing in creative design and fabrication

Founded in 2016 and located in North Charleston, TTS Studios custom designs and fabricates installations, equipment, and other items in support of industries such as arts and entertainment, premium events, and experiential marketing. The firm recently expanded to a larger, 67,000-square-foot facility located at 2130 N. Hobson Ave. on the Charleston Marine Manufacturing Corporation (CMMC) Navy Yard Industrial Campus in North Charleston. "While much of our theatrical work is New York-based, projects with Spoleto Festival USA, High Water, Charleston-based artists and our developing brand partnerships solidify our roots here," noted company president Mike East.

GovCIO

May 1, 2024

Jobs: 10

Advanced technology solutions and digital services for the federal government

GovCIO announced the opening of its new Charleston office, strategically located near Joint Base Charleston. This past year, the company has grown to over 3,000 employees globally. For several years, Fairfax, Virginia-headquartered GovCIO has maintained a long-standing military partnership in the Charleston region working on various programs including the U.S. Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic's submarine broadcast system's Fixed Very Low Frequency / Low Frequency (FVLF/LF) Engineering Services. GovCIO also provides engineering, technical, and sustainment Life Cycle Management (LCM) support services as part of the Shore Submarine Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Integrated Program Team (IPT) Program Office for NIWC Atlantic. "By establishing a physical presence in Charleston, we are strengthening our customer and community relationships and delivering even more tailored solutions, allowing us to better support our customer's missions," said Jim Brabston, GovCIO CEO. The new office space increases the GovCIO footprint and supports the company's growth strategy.

Tradd Advisory Company

April 25, 2024

Jobs: 100
Investment: $.09 Million

Freight transportation services

Tradd Advisory Company (Tradd), a freight transportation services provider, recently expanded into its first established office space in the Harbor Entrepreneur Center located at 11 eWall St. in Mount Pleasant. Established in 2018, Tradd is a third-party logistics provider that advises agents, clients and carriers on the most effective strategies for handling freight transportation. The company works with a network of over 93,000 carriers and offers premium service options for moving all types of cargo. Operations are already in progress.

Carolina Dream

April 23, 2024

Jobs: 5

Hemp-based products for medical and wellness use

Marine Corps Veteran owned company; premium and transparently produced hemp products with full chain-of-custody record on all products

Pensievision

April 15, 2024


Investment: $2 Million

3D imaging technologies using Artificial Intelligence (AI) with medical applications as well as in consumer electronics, smartphones, astronomy/physics and more

Pensievision, Inc., an imaging technology startup, was awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Phase II grant to perform research and clinical testing of a handheld, 3D imaging system for improved screening of cervical cancer. Pensievision's patented 3D optical imaging technology is unique in its approach of using astronomy imaging techniques, coupled with artificial intelligence, for imaging of lesions inside the human body. The company is currently working to develop additional medical applications, including imaging of skin lesions and esophagus and pharynx lesions. The firm has begun developing non-medical applications for industrial inspections, nondestructive testing, and aerospace. A prototype imaging device designed to monitor biological payloads in space is currently undergoing simulated space environment testing and is planned for launch into space within the next couple of years.

eHouse Studio

April 11, 2024

E-commerce website development and design agency specializing in maximizing the combination of UX design, technology and analytics

A Shopify Plus Partner and Recharge Partner agency, Charleston-based eHouse Studio has acquired Maryland-based Commerce12 with backing and support from growth-oriented investment firm Periscope Equity. This acquisition of a Klaviyo Master Elite partner edifies eHouse's strategy to create an "end-to-end" agency to manage large enterprise complexities and eliminate the need for multiple niche agencies to serve client needs. As global online sales surge and Shopify Plus emerges as the dominant enterprise e-commerce platform, the merger of eHouse and Commerce12 positions the agency at the forefront of strategy, innovation and services, according to a press release. The resulting business integration will retain all team members from both agencies, with former eHouse CEO Aaron Quinn serving as CTO and Commerce12's founder Adam Hanin serving as head of business development, according to the release. The agencies support more than 130 brands across the U.S., Canada, Australia and Europe.

Gnosis Freight

February 27, 2024

Jobs: 51
Investment: $.4385 Million

Supply chain and logistics software

The company, founded in Charleston in 2017, recently doubled its existing facility within the Charleston Tech Center to allow for growth over the next several years. Gnosis' Container Lifecycle Management platform combines supply chain visibility and execution software to help companies track and manage shipping containers from booking through empty return. The firm's CEO and Co-founder Austin McCombs said, "Charleston has been home to Gnosis Freight since very early in our journey. It's unsurprisingly ranked one of the best cities in the country to live in and has been a cheat code for attracting top talent. The support we've received from the local community as we've grown has been humbling, and we're committed to finding ways to return the favor. The culture of Charleston is embedded in our company's DNA, and we are forever grateful to represent such a special city."

Leonardo DRS / DRS Naval Power Systems

February 27, 2024

Jobs: 58
Investment: $120 Million

Defense products and technologies manufacturing and testing

Multinational firm Leonardo DRS, through its subsidiary, DRS Naval Power Systems, has announced it will build a 140,000-square-foot manufacturing and test center at 1588 Bushy Park Road in Berkeley County within the Charleston region. DRS Naval Power Systems provides naval power and control technology solutions for the U.S. Navy and allied navies, as well as for commercial applications. The new facility will expand the company's capability to integrate its next-generation electric propulsion system into current and future naval platforms including the U.S. Navy's priority program, the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. Operations are expected to be online by 2026.

MOONDOG Animation

February 21, 2024

Jobs: 20
Investment: $.09 Million

Animation and immersive experiences studio

Established in Charleston County in 2013, the company provides multimedia client services such as story development, character design, animation, augmented and virtual reality experiences, and interactive content creation. MOONDOG has moved to a larger office at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center at 11 eWall St. in Mount Pleasant. "We're looking forward to the growth ahead and couldn't be more excited about our new home in the Harbor Entrepreneur Center. Being here allows us to connect with like-minded companies, collaborate on new projects and bring creative solutions to our customers worldwide. Here's to the future of animation, made in Charleston!" said MOONDOG Animation Studio CEO and Co-Founder Ben Davis.

Alcami

February 8, 2024

Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) serving pharmaceutical and biotech companies of all sizes through every stage of the development cycle

Alcami Corporation, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announces the expansion of its sterile fill/finish manufacturing capacity with the addition of a new sterile fill/finish line with isolator and two lyophilizers at its existing Charleston, SC, manufacturing campus. The new state-of-the-art, fully automated GMP sterile filling line offers the flexibility to fill liquid and freeze-dried vials under isolator technology to minimize the potential for contamination, providing the capacity and scalability for clinical and commercial needs and is fully integrated with the company's network of formulation development, packaging / labeling, lab services and pharma storage and services facilities. The expansion aims to meet growing industry demands for onshore sterile fill/finish capabilities amidst supply constraints, industry consolidation and tightening capacity as the pipeline of biologics and specialty therapeutics continues to grow.

Evonik

January 31, 2024

Manufacturer of precipitated silica

Evonik plans to expand production of precipitated silica at its Berkeley County plant by 50%. Construction of the new production line is scheduled to start in mid-2024, and operations will begin in early 2026. Silica is a key ingredient for fuel-efficient tires and other products such as coatings. South Carolina is home to 12 tire manufacturing plants, producing 144,000 tires per day. The state is also the nation's leading exporter of tires, with sales exceeding $1.7 billion in 2021. Lauren Kjeldsen, head of Evonik's Smart Materials Division (which includes the silica line) noted, "With this expansion, our state-of-the-art Charleston site becomes a major hub for precipitated and sustainable silica products in North America." The expansion is noted as part of Evonik's plan toward carbon neutrality for its Charleston site. "North America is an important strategic growth region for us," Maike Schuh, chief financial officer of Evonik's Americas region. "With the investment in Charleston, we are strengthening our strategic customer-centric approach and improving our cost and sustainability position." The Germany-based company did not specify how much it would invest in the expansion but gave an estimate of "mid-double-digit million Euro" range, along with the addition of an unspecified number of full-time jobs.

Pegasus Steel and Metal Trades LLC

January 26, 2024

Jobs: 300

Super Tier-1 manufacturer of complex structures for the highest priority programs within the Navy, Army, and Air Force

Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm, has formed Keel Holdings LLC, a "super tier-1" manufacturer of complex structures for multiple branches of the U.S. military. Keel Holdings was formed through the merger of two Charleston area firms (recently-acquired Pegasus Steel and the newly-acquired Metal Trades LLC) with Michigan-based Merrill Technologies Group. The merger creates a "vertically integrated suite of design, engineering, fabrication, machining, integration, assembly, finishing and surface treatment capabilities across its nine facilities in Michigan and South Carolina," according to press releases from the various firms.

SHL Medical

January 15, 2024

Medical device manufacturing

Swiss-based SHL Medical has acquired US manufacturing company Superior Tooling, Inc., known for plastic injection molds. This move aims to strengthen SHL's in-house manufacturing capabilities, especially for its upcoming US site in North Charleston, South Carolina, scheduled to start operations in mid-2024, in line with SHL's global strategy and emphasis on tooling.

Back To The Top