Charleston County Economic Development hosted its 20^th annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, January 30 at Trident Technical College. The event brought together distinguished industry leaders, government officials, economic development allies, and community stakeholders to commemorate the collective accomplishments advancing economic development in Charleston County throughout 2023.

In the past year, Charleston County welcomed 14 public company announcements with a capital investment surpassing $94 million, creating 923 new jobs. These relocations and expansions created a noteworthy $77 million new annual payroll for the regional economy. Charleston County Economic Development (CCED) is excited to announce a pivotal milestone with the creation of 40,000 new jobs and $7 billion in capital investment since the department’s inception in 1993.

The Industry Appreciation Luncheon, a flagship event for CCED, serves as a significant platform to celebrate and recognize the flourishing business community in Charleston County. Attendees were briefed with updates from the Business Development Division, and the acknowledgment of businesses with Industry Impact Awards. Noteworthy accolades included the 2023 Economic Development Ambassador Award and the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award.

The distinguished 2023 Industry Impact Award winners encompassed various categories, featuring small business – Firefly Distillery, medium business – Molina Healthcare, large business – Scientific Research Corporation (SRC), and community impact – Neal Brothers, Charleston Inc. Chadwick Vail of the Charleston County School District was honored as the Economic Development Ambassador, recognizing him for his leadership and significant contributions that promote economic growth in our community.

CCED also paid tribute to Mary Thornley for her outstanding leadership at Trident Technical College. Dr. Mary Thornley was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious accolade reserved for individuals demonstrating exceptional and sustained contributions to their community and field throughout their entire career. The last presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award occurred in 2016, honoring Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. as he concluded his 41-year tenure as the Mayor of Charleston.

“As we reflect on the remarkable achievements of 2023 and celebrate two decades of the Industry Appreciation Luncheon, it is clear that our community’s strength lies in the collective efforts of our local industries, leaders, and partners,” stated Charleston County Economic Development Executive Director Steve Dykes. He continued, “The milestones we’ve reached underscore the resilience and vitality of Charleston County’s economic landscape.”

About Charleston County Economic Development For over three decades, the Charleston County Economic Development Department has been dedicated to establishing and maintaining business relationships with new and existing industries to preserve the Charleston area’s exceptional business climate and quality of life. To learn more about Charleston County Economic Development, visit www.charlestoncountydevelopment.org. 

Tri-County STEMersion received a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Regionalism & Cross-Border Collaboration category that impacted population between 200,000 – 500,000 residents. Tri-County STEMersion, which includes Berkeley County Economic Development, Charleston County Economic Development, and Dorchester County Economic Development, were acknowledged, and honored at the IEDC 2023 Annual Conference during the inaugural recognition night event in Dallas, TX, September 19.

Tri-County STEMersion is a unique hands-on institute for middle and high school instructors in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties in South Carolina that centers on building collaboration with existing industries to launch STEM into local schools.

“Tri-County STEMersion has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Tri-County STEMersion project/program. This award is a testament to Charleston County Economic Development’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present Charleston County Economic Development with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development!”

Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.

“We are super excited and honored to be part of such an amazing program and initiative. The lessons and experiences gained by our counselors and educators will have an immediate impact on our future workforce. STEMersion is a vital and valuable piece of the solution to developing the pipeline of workers needed for the industries of Berkeley County and the Tri-County Region at large. We look forward to expanding STEMersion’s reach and influence to maximize the impact it has to better prepare our educators, counselors, students, and community for greater success.” – Corey McClary, Workforce Development Manager at Berkeley County Economic Development

“This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration and unity as a Tri-County, empowering our regional future leaders to cross boundaries. The program’s influence on the children of our region ripples out into our communities, carving a path toward a brighter, more STEM-driven future.” – Ashley Richardson, Senior Director of Strategy and Communications at Charleston County Economic Development

“Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties are united in the effort to bridge education and the workforce of tomorrow.  Through the STEMersion program, educators get to experience STEM needs directly via the industry floor and then build tools to help guide students into the vast fields of local opportunity.  Having the right allies behind the scenes has enabled STEMersion to grow both in quantity of participants and quality of experience.  To make the greatest impact in our community it’s key that the counties continue to collaborate united as one region.” – Michelle McDonald, Deputy Director at Dorchester County Economic Development

About Charleston County Economic Development

For three decades, Charleston County Economic Development Department has been dedicated to establishing and maintaining business relationships with new and existing industries to preserve the Charleston area’s exceptional business climate and quality of life. To learn more about Charleston County Economic Development, visit dev-cced-migrate.pantheonsite.io/.

About Tri-County STEMersion

Tri-County STEMersion is a collaborative effort by Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, to bridge education and existing industry by developing coursework related to the needs of the local workforce. The immersive hands-on institute is a week-long summer program which introduces real-world workplace demands to area educators through a variety of site visits, activities, and discussions. Designed to reinforce the necessary math, science, and soft skills needed to succeed in local industry professions, STEMersion exists to influence the workforce pipeline of tomorrow. For more information on the STEMersion institute visit www.tricountystemersion.com.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.

###

Tri-County STEMersion, a nonprofit created to bridge the gap between education and workforce, released its 2023 Annual Report after celebrating the successful completion of its 6th Institute year while simultaneously hosting a pilot Student Camp. The report highlights a record funding year and an increase in both total participation and industry involvement.

Teachers and counselors, representing schools from all three counties, register annually to participate in the summer Institute which serves as a method of creating curriculum to address the skill needs of local industries. In 2023 a Student Camp was offered for the first time to test introducing rising 9th and 10th graders directly with local career opportunities. Combined the sessions produced a landmark year reaching more than 36 schools across the tri-county region.

“In the tri-county region, we understand it is crucial to prepare the next generation with the skills needed for tomorrow’s careers,” said Dorchester County Economic Development Deputy Director Michelle McDonald. “By creating a train-the-trainer experience for educators to learn directly from local industries, STEMersion helps impact on our local schools and build a better talent pipeline. As a result, students are exposed to the opportunities and STEM pathways available to them right here in their own backyard.”

Additionally, a record receipt of grants were received to produce the STEM-based summer program. A total of $122,500 in funds, a more than 700% increase in awards, were provided in 2023 by a host of philanthropic organizations including Power:Ed, Google, Bosch, SC Ports Authority, Walmart, Trident Technical College, and Volvo.

“Tri-County STEMersion program sets a new standard in fostering curiosity, empowering minds, and igniting a future in STEM careers,” said Ashley Richardson, Charleston County Economic Development Senior Director. “We are grateful for the support from educators, counselors, businesses, and sponsors and look forward to another year of transformative learning ahead!”

Moving forward the Tri-County STEMersion program will look to further increase participation both from educators and local industries. To support the anticipated increase, involvement directly from each school district has been requested by the counties.

To learn more about Tri-County STEMersion visit www.tricountystemersion.com or reach out to your local county economic development office.

###

About Tri-County STEMersion

Tri-County STEMersion is a collaborative effort by Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, to bridge education and existing industry by developing coursework related to the needs of the local workforce. The immersive hands-on institute is a week-long summer program which introduces real-world workplace demands to area educators through a variety of site visits, activities, and discussions. Designed to reinforce the necessary math, science, and soft skills needed to succeed in local industry professions, STEMersion exists to influence the workforce pipeline of tomorrow. For more information on the STEMersion institute visit www.tricountystemersion.com.

Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2023 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development and site location consulting industries for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve. Each Top 50 Economic Developer will be featured starting June 1st through the selected social media channels of LinkedIn and Twitter, where each award recipient will have the opportunity to share
industry knowledge, leadership insights and career wisdoms with fellow industry professionals. Consultant Connect strives to lift up the economic development industry by recognizing remarkable economic developers. Recipients will be presented their award at Consultant Connect’s ECONOMIX event in Atlanta, GA November 30.

“The Consultant Connect team looks forward to releasing the Top 50 list every year because we believe that the work of economic developers is not only transformative to communities, but it is deeper than that. Each year jobs are created that impact individuals and their families. We are truly honored to provide a platform for North America’s top economic developers to be recognized for the passionate commitment they have made to the communities they serve.”

The complete list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2023 includes:

Alba Penate-Johnson
Sugar Land Office of Economic Development

Alex Patrick
Birmingham Business Alliance

Ashley Richardson
Charleston County Economic Development

Barton Lowery
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Bob Kosek
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Bradley Harris
Georgia EMC

Brent Case
The Right Place, Inc.

Carl Rees, CecD
ElectriCities of North Carolina

Casey Gilchrist
Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Chad Matheson
Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance

Chris Caves
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

Chris Gutierrez
Kansas City Area Development Council

Chris Masingill
St. Tammany Corporation

Clyde Higgs
Atlanta Beltline

Coleman Peiffer
Alliant Energy

Corky Peek
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

Daniel Silverman
Investissement Québec International

David Rodgers, CEcD
Mobile Chamber of Commerce

David P. Rumbarger Jr. CEcD
Community Development Foundation Tupelo

Diana Velazquez EDFP, PCED
Greater Irving Chamber of Commerce

Douglas E. Berry
Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce

Elaine Middleton
Fayetteville-Lincoln County Industrial Development Board

Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD
Invest Atlanta

Harold Gutzwiller
Hoosier Energy

James Bateman
Greenwood County

James Kohnstamm, CEcD
Miami-Dade Beacon Council

Jason Ford, CEcD
Frisco Economic Development Corporation

Jennifer Martin
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

Joe Wallace
Coachella Valley Economic Partnership

John M. Hull
Roanoke Regional Partnership

Katherine O’Neill
One Spartanburg, Inc.

Katie Hogan
FPL Office of Economic Development

Kevin Carter, EDFP
Amarillo Economic Development

Kim Allen
Purdue Research Foundation

Lawrence McKinney CCE, CEcD, IOM
Norman Economic Development Coalition

Lee Crume
BE NKY Growth Partnership

Liberty A. Boyd CEcD, EDFP
American Electric Power

Mandy White
Greater Jackson Chamber

Meghan Welch
Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Nathan Zipper
Williamson, Inc.

Ralph Garcia
McAllen Economic Development Corporation

RJ Ball
Empire State Development

Ron Maloney
Northwest Arkansas Council

Sharon H. Barnard
Victoria Economic Development Corporation

Shawn Welcome
Louisiana Economic Development

Tami Petsche
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

Tyler Chaffee
Tennessee Valley Authority

Valerie Christofferson, EDFP
Consumers Energy

Valerie M. Pianta, MEDP
Hernando County Office of Economic Development

Veronica Crock
Alabama Department of Commerce

Consultant Connect works to bridge the gap between leading economic developers and site location consultants through exclusive networking events, educational services and leadership development. Consultant Connect not only gives economic developers an inside look into the world of site selection – it gives them the applicable information necessary to propel their careers and communities forward. For more information, please visit www.consultantconnect.org.

###

Post & Courier

By Warren L. Wise

Two of the nearly dozen airlines serving Charleston will launch new nonstop routes next year to large metropolitan areas in the Midwest and Northeast.

Dallas-based Southwest will offer seasonal flights on Saturday only starting June 11 to Kansas City and St. Louis, while JetBlue Airways will begin service up to three times a day starting June 9 to LaGuardia Airport in its home base of New York City.

“This is exciting news for Charleston,” airport spokesman Spencer Pryor said. “Anytime we can increase the frequency of flights to New York, it’s a win-win for business and leisure travelers. It’s also an opportunity for us to provide air service to some of the most popular cities in the Midwest.

The two-hour flight to St. Louis leaves Charleston at 7:55 p.m. while the two-and-a-half-hour leg to Kansas City departs from the Lowcountry at 3:05 p.m. The new routes go until Labor Day weekend, according to Southwest’s flight schedule.

JetBlue’s schedule currently shows two daily flights to LaGuardia on June 9, but a third one could be added, according to the airline. One flight leaves Charleston at 1:30 p.m. while another departs the Lowcountry at 5:01 p.m. Departure times can vary, and both flights are under two hours. JetBlue’s booking schedule goes through Nov. 12.

JetBlue already offers flights twice a day between the Lowcountry and John F. Kennedy International Airport and once a day between Charleston and Newark Liberty International Airport in the Big Apple’s metro area.

Southwest had previously planned to offer a Saturday-only route to Kansas City, starting in June 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined the service.

The carrier will be the second airline to offer flights to the St. Louis area.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant will bring back seasonal flights twice a week, starting April 14, to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport near Belleville, about 18 miles east of downtown St. Louis. Southwest will fly into St. Louis Lambert International Airport in the city.

The airlines’ new flights come on the heels of several other carriers’ announcements recently of additional routes.

Breeze Airways is adding new East Coast service twice a week to Long Island, N.Y., and on Saturday only to Palm Beach, Fla., in February.

Delta Air Lines will add a daily route to Minneapolis in April along with Charleston’s newest carrier, Sun Country Airlines, and its twice-weekly flights to the Twin Cities area starting that same month.

Southwest also will offer daily flights to Austin, Texas, in March.

###

Lowcountry Kettle, a producer of Southern-inspired kettle chips, is pleased to announce a partnership with Rough House Pictures, the Charleston-based production company from Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, and Jody Hill.

Despite the challenges of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the new financial and strategic support from Rough House Pictures accelerated Lowcountry Kettle’s growth and vision. Just recently, Whole Foods picked up the entire product line for their South region, incorporating a total of 45 stores in six states. The continued partnership will further extend Lowcountry Kettle’s business network and will provide valuable business and marketing guidance and mentorship to the rapidly growing company.

“We believe this partnership will provide greater exposure and lend a real sense of credibility to our brand,” said Lowcountry Kettle Co-Founder Andrew Trumbull. “Rough House is such a talented and creative force in their industry and already has an established fanbase. We are huge fans of their work and are hoping consumers new to the brand will be intrigued as well.”

Rough House Pictures co-founder Danny McBride echoed the fandom and natural partnership stating, “When watching movies, we’ve always preferred the loud noisy crunch of a potato chip instead of the soft crackle of popcorn, so partnering with Lowcountry Kettle was a no brainer for us.”

After a serendipitous meeting in 2019, Rough House Pictures became a fan of Lowcountry Kettle overnight. “If you work at Rough House there’s a good chance you’ll have Lowcountry Kettle crumbs on your shirt by the end of the day”, stated Rough House Pictures co-founder Jody Hill.

Rough House Pictures co-founder David Gordon Green stated, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Lowcountry Kettle. Not only does this company create an incredible product with unique, Lowcountry flavors, but we are proud of how they represent this region we work and live in.”

Lowcountry Kettle plans on releasing a new flavor next year, in addition to producing larger, family size bags in 2022. Rough House Pictures is currently filming season 2 of Righteous Gemstones and releasing the second movie of the Halloween trilogy, Halloween Kills, in October 2021.

About Lowcountry Kettle

Founded in 2016, Lowcountry Kettle creates a variety of kettle cooked potato chip flavors, including Bloody Mary, Mustard BBQ Sauce, Spicy Pimento Cheese, State Fair Fried Pickle, Sea Salt, and Carolina Reaper. Lowcountry Kettle can be found in many retailers, including Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, and The Fresh Market. For more information, visit https://www.lowcountrykettle.com.

About Rough House Pictures

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Rough House produces several popular HBO shows including Eastbound & Down, The Righteous Gemstones, and Vice Principals, as well as the hit slasher film Halloween. Rough House Pictures is currently shooting Righteous Gemstones Season 2 and is scheduled to release Halloween Kills (2021) and Halloween Ends (2022). For more information, visit www.roughhousepictures.com.

###

Editor’s Note: Please find images here

Charleston, SC – August 3, 2021 – The Charleston Digital Corridor (CDC) is pleased to announce the launch of the CDC Diversity Initiative with a simple goal – to broaden the inclusion within Charleston’s tech community of under-represented entrepreneurs and business professionals. The Diversity Initiative aims to achieve this by offering no-cost usage and workspace at the Charleston Tech Center and through subsidizing an array of curated business resources, mentoring and educational tools as applicable.

The first recipients of support from the CDC Diversity Initiative are Jackie Kohlhepp and Brittany Betit of The Rez Rev, LLC, a woman-owned and military spouse-owned Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that seeks to connect job seekers and talent seekers/employers. This is accomplished by allowing users to create and submit video resumes (REZs) and video job requisitions (REQs), designed to personalizing the job search process to saving users time, money, and frustration.

“We are incredibly honored to be the first recipient of the CDC’s Diversity Initiative! As non-technical female tech company founders, we’re especially grateful for the opportunity to grow and develop our company with support from the CDC, experiencing firsthand their expert mentorship, top-notch resources, and motivating entrepreneurial spirit. It’s our mission as an organization to rehumanize the hiring process by revolutionizing the resume, and thanks to the generosity of the CDC, Comcast, Google and others, we’re that much closer to achieving our goal,” said Jackie Kohlhepp & Brittany Betit, The Rez Rev, LLC.

“We are proud to partner with the Charleston Digital Corridor on this very important diversity initiative,” said Jason Gumbs, Comcast Regional SVP. “This effort aligns perfectly with Comcast’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and bridging the digital divide in Charleston and across the nation. We are thrilled to make a monetary grant to the CDC that will support their efforts in this critical space.”

The rollout of the CDC Diversity Initiative is no coincidence. It comes on the heels of the opening of the landmark Flagship at the Charleston Tech Center in April and the recent launch of the CDCu education initiative, both prerequisites for the success of the diversity initiative.

“I am pleased to have Comcast, Google and many other local businesses and individuals wholeheartedly support this initiative, both financially and in-kind, demonstrating our shared goal to ensure Charleston’s tech and tech-related businesses truly reflect the diverse demographic of the Charleston community,” said Charleston Digital Corridor Director,” said Ernest Andrade.

Learn more about the CDC Diversity Initiative here.
###

About Charleston Digital Corridor
The Charleston Digital Corridor is a community-sourced initiative to attract, nurture and promote the region’s tech economy through an array of impactful programs, products and events while leveraging Charleston’s renowned livability. The CDC has served over 400 companies in the region for the past 20 years.

Charleston, South Carolina – April 20, 2021 – Many years in the making, the Charleston Digital Corridor is pleased to announce the opening of the Flagship @ the Charleston Tech Center (CTC). The Flagship is the anchor tenant at the landmark CTC and occupies the entire second floor.

The Flagship, designed to facilitate the growth of Charleston’s tech economy, has 33 private offices to host a variety of companies at various stages of growth. Additionally, there are 16 “touchdown nooks” designed to accommodate remote workers, co-working, start-up companies and employees of member companies just seeking a change of scenery.

The design aesthetic, office configurations and amenities reflect the growing trend of a hybrid workforce and include showers, nap/relaxation room, modern conference & training facilities, 3 private phone/Zoom rooms, a podcast studio and restaurant-style meeting booths.

“We are proud to deliver a vibrant, energetic and flexible workspace in support of Charleston’s growing tech community and recognize the team effort and solid public-private partnership needed to make the Charleston Tech Center and Flagship a reality,” said Charleston Digital Corridor Foundation Chairman, Kirk King.

In a just released report by CompTIA, Charleston showed favorably, with a projected ranking of #4 in the nation for net tech jobs added in 2021, up from #6 in 2020.

“Recognizing the importance of building a resilient economy, the city has made strategic investments in support of economic diversification,” said Charleston Mayor, John Tecklenburg. “I am confident our participation with the development of the Charleston Tech Center and adjacent parking garage will accelerate the growth of Charleston’s high-wage tech economy.”

To learn more about the Flagship, take a tour or make an office reservation, contact Ernest Andrade or call 843.607.1264.

###

Santa Monica, CA and Charleston, SC — Feb. 17, 2021 – Vikor Scientific, a leading, molecular diagnostics company with a rapidly expanding nationwide footprint, has announced a strategic investment in California-based Quantgene Inc. to accelerate the commercialization of Quantgene’s flagship product, Serenity^TM. Serenity provides world-leading accuracy in precision genomics and AI-enabled personalized preventative care.

Quantgene’s Serenity combines advanced next-generation sequencing with proprietary cloud and AI technology to uncover deeper and more meaningful health insights earlier. Serenity will launch with four core components of health protection:

• Liquid biopsy to detect cancer-related mutations in the blood to support early detection
• Deep genomic sequencing across all 20,000 genes for a more complete picture of disease, medication and lifestyle risks
• In-depth patient health profiles including health history, family history and lifestyle to bring more context to test results
• An expert clinical team to provide analysis and connect patients to a network of world-leading medical experts

The combination of these components allow the system to detect, flag and monitor disease and disease risk at earlier stages. Early intervention for potentially fatal conditions like cancer is critical to ensuring better treatment response and long-term outcomes. This is a critical advancement in marrying medicine and technology to ensure the company realizes their mission of extending the average lifespan of members by a decade within a decade.

South Carolina-based Vikor Scientific is a market leader in providing targeted, molecular diagnostics that can improve clinical and economic outcomes.  Headquartered in Charleston, S.C., Vikor anchors the WestEdge Life Sciences Campus adjacent to the Medical University of South Carolina and is approaching 400 employees nationwide.  The announcement was made at SCBIO 2021, the acclaimed national conference of South Carolina’s life sciences industry which draws industry leaders from around the globe.

In addition to ensuring the successful launch of Serenity commercially, the new partners have plans to launch several downstream liquid biopsy-based clinical oncology products including minimum residual disease detection (“MRD”), recurrence monitoring and companion diagnostics over the next several months. Vikor Scientific will leverage their proven commercialization engine for innovative molecular diagnostics technologies and leverage their growing national salesforce in service of the new product roll outs.

Shea Harrelson, co-founder of Vikor Scientific, said: “In Quantgene, Vikor saw a compelling opportunity to support the commercialization of advanced genomics in the service of preventative care and positively impacting the course of many chronic diseases, starting with cancer. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission as a company – to improve patient outcomes and prevent unnecessary healthcare costs and delays in treatment by improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing turnaround time and personalizing treatment options.”

Scotty Branch, co-founder of Vikor Scientific added: “Changing the paradigm of healthcare has always been the vision for Vikor Scientific. The platform built by the Quantgene team is revolutionary and certain to accelerate the speed at which we diagnose and treat patients for cancer. Vikor is excited to lead the commercialization and expand on our mission of driving clinical outcomes. And we are particularly excited to do so here in Charleston, where we envision a dynamic future for innovation, growth and expansion of the booming life sciences hub here in South Carolina.”

“With Serenity, we are first-to-market in combining liquid biopsy cancer detection with whole exome sequencing and advanced medical intelligence. We hope to unlock a new era in medicine in which trained physicians can detect multiple cancers at early stages in the blood with single molecule precision.” added Jo Bhakdi, founder and CEO of Quantgene. “Serenity brings genomic technologies to patients within an innovative system of preventative care that we believe will set a new standard in patient-centered personalized medicine. We are excited to take this important step with our partners at Vikor Scientific.”

Alluding to Serenity as a new frontier in science that “promises earlier detection than ever and promises to unlock a new era of medicine,” Branch saluted the role of SCBIO and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance in making the announcement a reality.

“I can envision the day when this collaboration leads to a new corporate hub here with new labs and bright new talent from South Carolina medical schools advancing this revolutionary technology,” Branch added.  “We credit the efforts of SCBIO and this state in bringing our organization and Quantgene together, and we intend to identify new collaborations and partnerships that advance the future of medicine, and promise a healthier future for our state, country and world.”

# # #

By Brantley Strickland
Senior Project Manager, SouthernCarolina Alliance

1.    [Brantley Strickland] It seems with the recent news of Boeing moving its 787 Dreamliner production to Charleston, the market continues to draw Blue Chip companies. What has made Charleston so attractive to those types of customers in recent years?

[Steve Dykes] Many things have changed in Charleston over the past decade, as we became a major U.S. metro. In part, success breeds success and the evidence lies in the number of accolades that have come our way from renowned business publications. When Boeing chose Charleston in 2009, many domestic and international executives became aware of our market and we received many visits in the immediate aftermath by these “curiosity seekers.“ Fast forward to 2015, we witnessed two more monumental announcements of automotive OEMs by Mercedes Benz Vans and Volvo. The conventional wisdom had been that we would never see an automotive OEM in the same market as Boeing. Yet, here were two! The presence of the Port here has always been a major regional driver, and SPA has recently been breaking cargo records on an annual basis. Entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Charleston, whether you are talking about IT start-ups or the newest craft brewery. SCRA, MUSC and others have pioneered in the creation of West Edge, a high-quality life sciences complex. Charleston has also distinguished itself internationally with our ever-growing visitor industry success throughout the past decade.

2.    [BS]  What can you tell us about the original Boeing project and how it landed in Charleston County?

[SD]  We were a “bridesmaid” for the first Boeing 787 assembly line project back in 2002. What I recall so well was a meeting at Secretary Bob Faith’s downtown office in Charleston, where a Boeing official lauded us for our effort and encouraged us to consider recruiting Dallas-based Vought Aircraft to the area. In my opinion, the Governor and the Commerce team had set the right tone in playing hard but losing graciously. We took up the challenge in 2004 and landed Vought (“Project Buffalo”), the mid and aft fuselage section supplier for the 787. When Boeing acquired the Charleston fuselage operation and brought it back “in-house,” it set the stage for consideration of Charleston for the 2nd 787 assembly line in 2008-9. The relationship of our Governor, General Assembly and local Charleston officials with the company was quite strong and it had been nurtured over several years. The state keeps promises and delivers results, and this commitment reaped big rewards with Boeing.

3.    [BS]  Would you say the project had a transformative effect on the region? If so, in what ways?

[SD]  Huge effects, and they are visible on so many fronts that it is hard to know where to begin. Most obviously, the company has invested multiple billions in the physical plant and other locations since 2009. They expanded in 2013, both at Final Assembly and by introducing new business units unrelated to the 787. We gained “centers of excellence” in engineering and information technology, as well as a propulsion center and an R&D facility. Many of these located at Palmetto Commerce Park, about nine miles north of the Final Assembly Center. The employment impact and payroll have had a profound impact, with the headcount topping 8,000 employees, at one point. The 787 Delivery Center has added an international feather to our cap, with foreign dignitaries, emissaries and airline officials constantly in-and-out of Charleston to “take the keys” on newly christened planes. The impact of Boeing has also been profoundly felt across the state in the area of philanthropy, as many schools, universities, non-profits and charities have partnered to become part of the Boeing ecosystem. The company has also made its mark environmentally, operating a “green” plant with zero waste to landfills, and helping local conservation groups acquire and place sensitive forest lands into perpetual easements.

4.   [BS]  Obviously, Charleston County and South Carolina have built a tremendous relationship with Boeing over the years. Do you think that factored into the company’s decision to consolidate 787 production in North Charleston?

[SD]  I believe it was a prime factor. Charleston County government, and specifically our department have been on a week-to-week basis with the company since 2009 through our BRE program. It’s not an easy task, with upwards of 10 different Boeing team leaders to keep up with. But we address any and every challenge we can help them with, and have been poised on those occasions where there was an opportunity for expansion. The same is true for our colleagues at the City of North Charleston. The City began its relationship with the company by locating a dozen building inspectors in mobile offices on the Final Assembly construction site on a seven-days a week basis in order to expedite the opening of that magnificent 1.2 million square foot complex. Mayor Keith Summey understands the importance of “speed-to-market,” and the city has continued this dedication to the company throughout the years. The state team has been magnificent throughout the years, spanning three governors. The General Assembly consistently supports Boeing, and with enthusiasm. The Commerce Department team has always shined, from the Bob Faith-era, through the Joe Taylor years, and certainly during the Bobby Hitt-era. Lastly, I think that there are three groups that don’t get enough credit. These include the Charleston-based workforce at Boeing, the business community and the general public. Boeing company officials on more than one occasion have commented on how blown away they are to have Boeing workers “shouted out” and applauded in public places. This particularly makes an impression on the transplants from Puget Sound. When they compare across other company locations, they are hard-pressed to think of any other locale that comes close to the support and good feelings they get here.

5.    [BS]  Any idea on the additional workforce needs the company will have in Charleston with the recent consolidation?

[SD]  The incredible news we just received is bittersweet from a timing perspective. The aviation industry is in a severe recession, which has become all the more exacerbated by the near-total cessation of worldwide flying brought on by COVID-19. Aviation consultants and industry experts predict anywhere from seven to 10 years for the industry to return to a healthy place, and most don’t see it ever getting back to pre-COVID levels. In response to this recession, Boeing cut production on the 787 from 14 planes per month to six per month system-wide. Even with these setbacks, we are confident that over the years we will again see the headcount tick upward, as well as welcoming some additional suppliers to Charleston to support what will now be the entire 787 production system.

###