Charleston named a top U.S. city for European expansion

For this ranking, Expansion Management looked at European-based company expansions within the past 24 months that created at least 10 jobs and involved capital investment of at least $1 million. According to this survey, European businesses show a distinct preference for the Southeast. In fact, South Carolina was ranked as the top U.S. state for European expansion.

1. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC
2. Philadelphia, PA
3. Kenosha, WI
4. Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH
5. Columbia, SC
6. Raleigh, NC
7. CHARLESTON-N. CHARLESTON, SC
8. Kansas City, MO
9. Omaha, NE
10. Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC

The Port of Charleston is a huge asset for the region. “It is the second largest container port on the entire East Coast and Gulf Coast,” said David Ginn, president and CEO for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. “It gives us a big gateway, and obviously the closest thing to us is Europe.”