CRDA announces 2006 results, goals for 2007

More than 300 business and community leaders attended the Charleston Regional Development Alliance’s annual update luncheon last week. The alliance announced the results from the past year and goals for the coming year.

In the first year of the alliance’s current five-year strategic plan, the organization announced 18 competitive expansion or location projects, resulting in more than 1,000 new jobs and nearly $112 million investment in the region.

Those new or expanded projects over the last fiscal year were DaimlerChrysler; American LaFrance; Nanoscreen; Global Building Solutions; Signature Building Systems; Interwrap; AM Conservation Group; American Cyber Logistics; Valley Forge Flag; FoodHandler; Scout Boats; Carolina Waterworks; Kontane Logistics; SKF MRC Bearings; Linear; A & R Transport; JW Aluminum; and Swavelle/Mill Creek Fabrics.

This also marked the first full year of the cluster-based economic development strategy that was recommended by AngelouEconomics in April 2005. This year, five of the competitive projects announced by the alliance fell into one of the five high-value business clusters: biosciences, aerospace, automotive, creative industries and advanced security.

Currently, 19 of the alliance’s 27 active projects fall within those five target industry sectors. The wages associated with the 19 projects average $24.95 per hour, which is 59% higher than the region’s current average wage, according to CRDA. Over the course of the next year, the alliance will attempt to secure these and other similar high-paying, quality jobs for the region.

CRDA represents Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties with a mission to create improved opportunities for all residents within this three-county region. Working with a statewide network of allies, the alliance markets Charleston to the world as a preferred location for business, and helps facilitate new investment within the tri-county area.