Staff Report
gsanews@scbiznews.com
The Salute to Manufacturing awards closed out the S.C. Manufacturing Conference & Expo held this week at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston.
The award winners were announced during a special luncheon following the two-day conference and a keynote address by Gov. Henry McMaster.
McMaster also presented the awards to 12 companies in several categories, including Outstanding Manufacturing Lifetime Service Award to J. Steven Dykes.
Steve Dykes has served as director of Charleston County Economic Development since its inception in 1993. For the past 25 years as economic development director, he has spearheaded the county’s recruitment, retention and expansion efforts, leveraging more than $6.3 billion in capital investment and the creation of more than 33,000 jobs in Charleston County.
© Jessica Yurinko
Announcement
July 2, 2026
Charleston County Economic Development is excited to launch its Job Development Incentive (JDI), a new program to support business growth and strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness.
Blog
June 17, 2026
A new economic impact study conducted by University of South Carolina Research Economist Dr. Joseph Von Nessen found that companies that have located and grown in Charleston County through Charleston County Economic Development's efforts now support 79,241 jobs and generate $26.2 billion in annual economic activity across the county.
