ONE REGION: A GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS STRATEGY TO ENHANCE THE REGION’S ECONOMY

Charleston, SC – This week, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce (CMCC) and Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) launch One Region, a planning initiative that will create a multi-year economic development, global competitiveness strategy for the three-county region (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties).

The goal of the strategy is to work collaboratively as a region to further enhance the economy through advancements in talent, infrastructure and other assets characteristic of a globally competitive metro; an investment in the community for a robust and stable economy for many years to come.

The CMCC and CRDA have retained Avalanche Consulting and McCallum Sweeney Consulting to facilitate the strategic planning process. Avalanche and McCallum Sweeney are the team who facilitated the Opportunity Next strategy which has driven the region’s economic development efforts over the past five years.

The strategic planning process will take six months to complete and will result in three in-depth reports:

• A Competitive Assessment, which will provide a detailed evaluation of the region’s current competitive strengths and areas for improvement

• Identification of Target Industry Clusters and Competencies, which will be the target audiences of economic development activities and community enhancements over the next five years

• A Strategic Action Plan, which will provide a vision, goals, and detailed tactics for addressing critical community challenges, advancing target clusters and competencies, and coordinating activities so that we act as One Region to achieve our vision

To begin the project, Avalanche and McCallum Sweeney are conducting a detailed analysis of the region’s economy, assets and opportunities. The consulting team is in the region this week to conduct focus groups and interviews with leaders from across the region. An online survey is also available for stakeholders to provide their vision and insight on the future economy of the Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester region. The survey is available at www.OneRegionStrategy.com.

The strategic planning process will be guided by an 80-member Advisory Group comprised of leaders from a diverse range of public sector, private sector, nonprofit, and educational organizations. Co-chairing the advisory board are Mr. Ken Seeger, President at WestRock and Mr. Jeff Spicer, Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo. Other One Region Strategy Executive Committee Members include Mr. Mitchell Bohannon, Consultant at Thomas & Hutton; Mr. Chris Fraser, Principal & Managing Director at Avison Young; Ms. Jessica Jackson, Global Corporate Citizenship at Boeing; Mr. Mark Lattanzio, Charleston Regional President at SunTrust; Dr. Mary Thornley, President at Trident Technical College; and Ms. Anita Zucker, Chairperson and CEO at The InterTech Group.

For more information about the strategy, visit www.OneRegionStrategy.com.

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ABOUT THE TEAM:

Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community in the Charleston region. The Chamber is committed to strengthening the region’s economic prosperity for today’s and tomorrow’s businesses, individuals and their families. CMCC’s strategic priorities include: 1) talent and workforce development; 2) world-class public education from K thru 20; 3) legislative and lobbying in support of a thriving business environment; 4) public policy; 5) small business and entrepreneurial growth; and 6) economic resiliency. With 1,600 member organizations representing 125,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst for advancing the region’s economy and enhancing members’ success through Advocacy, Innovation, Talent and Business Advancement.

Charleston Regional Development Alliance is a professional economic development organization representing Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina. With a large and growing network of business, academic and governmental partners, the CRDA directly assists companies with competitive location or expansion projects by connecting them with the right people, the appropriate resources and the most meaningful and relevant information. The CRDA promotes the Charleston region’s business, academic and lifestyle strengths worldwide to attract the world’s best companies, entrepreneurs and professional talent. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen regional employment, build our base of high-value industries, and significantly improve the economic future for all who live and work in the greater Charleston area.

Avalanche Consulting is the nation’s premier economic development strategist. The firm is the best in the country at translating complex information into strategies for growth and communications platforms for communities. Avalanche is deeply driven to make a positive impact and seek clients who are equally inspired to energize their economies. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Avalanche has served as a strategist and advisor to the Charleston region and more than 100 other communities since it was founded in 2005.

McCallum Sweeney Consulting provides site selection and incentives negotiation services to leading companies worldwide. The firm brings experience, commitment, integrity, and leading-edge technology to our clients to help them make the best, and most informed, location decisions. MSC has performed location consulting services for many of the world’s largest and best-known companies including: Boeing, Hertz, Michelin, Nissan, Alstom, BMW Group (joint venture with SGL Group), Northrop Grumman, and Mitsubishi.

Media Contacts:

Laura Bright
Charleston Metro Chamber
843.805.3070

Jason Brown
CRDA
843.760.4523