Kiplinger regards Charleston as a top choice for high-tech firms

Washington, November 22, 2002

Quality of life will play a growing role in site selection, especially for high-tech and service firms that are “portable”…able to locate anywhere, without regard to materials, transport, etc.

Decisionmakers seek attractive locales where THEY want to live and that will appeal to the executives whom they have to recruit.
Top draws: Natural beauty, culture, outdoor recreation and good schools.

Lifestyle often trumps operating costs…taxes, labor, land and government incentives…which tend to be converging among regions.

An example of such a site: Charleston, S.C., and its environs.
Long a favorite vacation spot for many affluent executives drawn to its rich history, architecture, cuisine, golf and beaches…
It’s now strong in both business relocations and start-ups, everything from software development to military R&D to biotechnology.