Berkeley Means Business
Berkeley County Economic Development
SC Ports, Berkeley County, and Town of Summerville officials help celebrate CALI as they cut the ribbon on their first custom-built distribution center at 454 Tradeport Dr., Summerville, SC in the Berkeley Charleston Tradeport Industrial Center. CALI’s $3M investment will create 50 new jobs in Berkeley County.
The new center will serve CALI customers along the eastern seaboard, enabling faster deliveries and more reliable service of high-quality flooring, composite decking, and other home design collections. The SC distribution center is the first of 4 new centers the company is planning across the nation.
“I am excited about what this DC will add to the customer experience,” says CALI COO, Eugene Garcia. “The 250,000 square feet facility supports a multishift operation with product sampling, customer service, and a logistics team. Our goal is to provide a world-class service experience.”
When fully staffed, the center will employ about 50 new CALI team members, primarily recruited from the local community. The company’s acclaimed employee culture will be extended to the Summerville team, along with competitive salaries and benefits.
“We are thrilled to launch this distribution center along with a new relationship with the community of Summerville,” says CALI president, Doug Jackson. “CALI has found success by prioritizing the well-being of not just our customers and partners, but our employees as well. We look forward to supporting our new South Carolina team so that we may all grow and accomplish great things together.”
CALI is one of the fastest-growing flooring leaders with some of the best, most innovative, high-quality, and eco-conscious flooring and building products in the industry. They have been recognized on INC 5000 and San Diego Business Journals’ fastest-growing companies and name a top place to work. CALI recently won the GreenStep Sustainability Award too – for their eco-conscious/friendly flooring options. https://www.calibamboo.com/blog/cali-wins-greenstep-sustainability-award/
ABOUT CALI
CALI empowers stunning home transformations with durable, high-value products that are easy to buy, install, and maintain. Guided by a coastal aesthetic and attitude, the omni-channel home improvement platform enables customers to design responsibly with eco-minded options.
Based in San Diego, California, CALI’s ever-expanding flooring collections include bamboo, European oak, eucalyptus, cork, luxury vinyl, and engineered planks, in addition to composite decking, rugs, fencing, and plywood — all while delivering the industry’s best customer experience.
Founded in 2004 and recognized as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for 13 consecutive years, CALI models how individuals, businesses, and communities can implement modern designs with structural strength and authentic coastal style. CaliFloors.com
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nucor Corporation, a leading steel and steel products manufacturer in North America, today announced plans to expand operations in Berkeley County. The company’s $425 million investment will create 50 new jobs.
With a history dating back to 1905, Nucor Corporation manufactures a variety of products including carbon and alloy steel, hollow structural tubing, electrical conduit, precision castings and more. The company’s products serve the agriculture, automotive and energy industries along with several others.
Located at 1455 Old Hagan Ave. in Huger, Nucor Corporation’s latest expansion at the Berkeley facility will include the addition of a galvanizing line that will expand the manufacturing of corrosion-resistant products.
The expansion is expected to be complete in mid-2025. Individuals interested in joining the Nucor Corporation team should visit the company’s careers page.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. The council also approved a $400,000 Set-Aside grant to Berkeley County to assist with costs of site preparation.
“We would like to thank the state of South Carolina, Berkeley County and Santee Cooper for their support on this project. We are excited to further expand the capabilities of Nucor Steel Berkeley to better serve our customers.” -Nucor Steel Berkeley Vice President and General Manager Mike Lee
“Only a month after announcing an expansion at the facility, Nucor Corporation is once again growing its Berkeley County operation. We applaud Nucor Corporation for its commitment to our state and our citizens and look forward to many more years of our strong partnership.” -Gov. Henry McMaster
“Once again, Nucor Corporation is proving that South Carolina has the resources for companies to continually grow and succeed within our borders. We value Nucor’s commitment to Berkeley County and the opportunities created throughout the state.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III
“Last month, Nucor Corporation announced a separate, sizable investment to modernize the Berkeley facility. Now, Nucor Corporation is announcing plans to expand its operations. Anytime a longtime existing industry commits to an expansion, that’s positive proof that a lot of people are doing things right. Nucor Corporation produces high-quality products, and Berkeley County has been proud to supply them with an outstanding workforce — and we look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come. A special thanks to Nucor Steel Berkeley for all you do for our county and region.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
FIVE FAST FACTS
Nucor Corporation is expanding operations in Berkeley County.
The company’s $425 million investment will create 50 new jobs.
Nucor Corporation is a leading steel and steel products manufacturer.
Located at 1455 Old Hagan Ave. in Huger, S.C.
Individuals interested in joining the Nucor Corporation team should visit the company’s careers page.
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Thursday, September 15, 2022) – At its meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022, Berkeley County Council approved a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment grant to help fund a large-scale revitalization initiative to greatly improve quality of life opportunities in the St. Stephen/Russellville area. Watch the full Council meeting HERE.
This grant, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant Program, will help fund environmental assessments on properties located within a certain designated Census Tract in the St. Stephen area. With the help of community and residential input, the Town of St. Stephen—together with the EPA and Berkeley County Economic Development—will conduct up to 15 site inventories of brownfield sites, in the St. Stephen area, that could be redeveloped to provide more job opportunities and other quality of life resources for the community.
The grant has already identified two such sites: the former St. Stephen High School, which closed in 1996, and the area’s former Lumber Mill, which operated as a steam-powered lumber mill from the 1930s to mid-1960s and closed around 1970. Another goal of this large-scale initiative will be to develop a complete revitalization plan unique to St. Stephen.
Public meetings and community engagement will be critical throughout this process. More information on public meetings will be forthcoming.
“County Council is committed to improving access to resources and employment opportunities for people throughout Berkeley County. This grant will not only help fund these initiatives, but also ensure the St. Stephen community is involved in the process. Berkeley County’s success is directly related to the success of its citizens; inviting the public to the table on critical decision-making efforts like this one are what makes us #OneBerkeley.” -Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County Supervisor
“The town of St. Stephen is grateful that the EPA selected us to receive one of the 2022 Brownfields Program Grants for $500,000. We were the only municipality in Berkeley County to receive this. In countless other communities around the United States, the EPA’s Brownfield Program has had a proven track record of leveraging private sector investment, creating jobs, and protecting the environment. St. Stephen will use this Brownfields Grant to spur our town with redevelopment and cleanup projects and bring sustained economic growth. We are thankful for the support of the Berkeley County Economic Development Office and their ability to work with myself, Town Council, and the Town’s administration to write the grant proposal. We are ready to collaborate with the various committees that will be comprised of St. Stephen residents and business owners to help us continue to grow and revitalize our town. It has been well worth the wait. This is the first of many blessings in store for our great town.” -John Rivers, St. Stephen Mayor
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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nucor Corporation (Nucor), one of the largest manufacturers of steel and steel products in North America, today announced plans to expand operations in Berkeley County. The company is investing $200 million over the next five years.
With roots dating back to 1905, Nucor manufactures a variety of products including carbon and alloy steel; hollow structural tubing; electrical conduit; precision castings; and more. The company’s products serve the agriculture, automotive and energy industries along with various others.
Located at 1455 Old Hagan Ave. in Huger, Nucor’s expansion will include the construction of an air separation unit (ASU) for the purpose of supplying industrial gases to the mill’s steelmaking operations. When complete, the ASU will be operated by UIG, LLC, a Nucor wholly owned subsidiary that specializes in industrial gas supply and services. This project will allow Nucor – through UIG, LLC – to produce and supply all the gases needed for the steel mill from the new Nucor-owned facility, both now and into the future.
The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Individuals interested in joining the Nucor team, including UIG, LLC, should visit the company’s careers page.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to Berkeley County to assist with costs related to this project.
“Nucor acquired UIG, LLC in 2019 so that we would have the capability to design, build and operate our own air separation units, giving us an alternative to long-term service contracts with outside providers. We are proud of our company’s long-time partnership with the state of South Carolina, and we are excited to continue to invest in the state where Nucor first began operating nearly 60 years ago.”
-Nucor Steel Berkeley Vice President and General Manager Mike Lee
“Once again, we’re excited to watch Nucor grow its footprint within our state. This sends a signal to other businesses that South Carolina is a great place to locate and find long-term success. We congratulate Nucor on their expansion in Berkeley County.”
–Gov. Henry McMaster
“Throughout its long history, Nucor has been a leading innovator within the steel industry. This latest expansion is further proof of the company’s ability to embrace new technologies to grow its operations and achieve greater efficiencies. Congratulations to Nucor, and we look forward to our continued partnership for many years to come.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III
“Nucor Steel has been a critical part of Berkeley County’s successful industrial sector for over 26 years, having invested $1.3 billion since 1996. We are proud to announce this investment and see this thriving manufacturer expand operations here at home. Their commitment to our great county is proof of our solid working relationship and their desire to continue building upon our strong local economy.”
-Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, Berkeley County and State leaders gathered to celebrate a special groundbreaking ceremony for RL Cold, a company that will bring much-needed cold storage and warehousing to the region to address critical needs in the domestic food supply chain.
This $90-million capital investment for the County will create 100-plus jobs, help provide a good tax revenue for the County, and help us increase our services for our citizens.
Thank you to the State, South Carolina Ports Authority and Santee Cooper for supporting this project, located in Camp Hall – Campus 5 in Ridgeville. Camp Hall was designed for growth in mind, putting the infrastructure and entitlements in place to attract world class businesses.
Thank you to County Councilman Phillip Obie II for speaking on behalf of the County and County Council. Obie currently serves as Berkeley County’s Ambassador to the Port.
We are grateful for your investment in Berkeley County, RL Cold & Maersk!
Berkeley County is proud to be home to seven businesses recently named the Best Places to Work for 2022. During a special ceremony in Columbia last week, SC Biz News and the Best Companies Group recognized the following businesses as Best Places to Work in South Carolina.
South Carolina Research Authority – SCRA
Mankiewicz Coatings
Advanced Technology International
Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Henry Lee Distributors
The list is compiled through an employer questionnaire about policies and procedures, as well as an employee survey focused on work environment, pay and benefits, leadership and planning, and overall engagement.
Congratulations to these companies! Our Berkeley County Economic Development team is proud to celebrate your success and the success of so many other industries around our great County.
Strong industrial investment. Commitment to conservation. Perseverance through teamwork.
Those were the top themes voiced by DuPont officials, along with state and local leaders who gathered Thursday, July 28 to celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony for DuPont’s newest investment in Berkeley County: the launch of its new Liveo™ healthcare product line, which began last year. This roughly $20 million investment resulted in 25 new employees and will create another 25 jobs in the near future.
DuPont began operating in Berkeley County more than 46 years ago, with operations first beginning in 1976. In 2017, the DuPont Cooper River site shuttered the Kelvar facility after just a few years of operations. The company decided to repurpose the facility by expanding the Hytrel™ operations and adding Molykote™ and Liveo™ production to the Cooper River site.
Life sciences and biotechnology innovation is a growing sector across the County and State, with an annual economic impact exceeding $11 billion and 40,000 jobs in South Carolina. Berkeley County alone has more than 25 life science industries—adding another one (DuPont’s investment) to that list today.
“This plant, the DuPont name, is known all over the world. It’s a great company that started long ago. …It’s thriving and people are thriving with it. …This is a big moment; it’s an important moment.” -Governor Henry McMaster
The DuPont Cooper River site sits on a former rice plantation—Dean Hall—dating back to 1725. DuPont has been an integral community ally, helping the County relocate the historic Nesbit House from the company’s property to where it now sits in Moncks Corner. More recently, DuPont donated land to the County to further expand the parking area at the Cypress Gardens Boat Landing site. DuPont also supported the County’s reopening of its popular Cypress Gardens park after severe flood damage.
The Cooper River Site is a well-balanced industrial park with over 2,100 acres, only 200 of which are currently developed. Over 1,200 acres are set aside for conservation in a conservation easement with Lord Berkeley Land Trust, of which 800 acres are wetlands, and 925 acres are managed for wildlife.
“Forty-six years in Berkeley County is absolutely incredible; and DuPont’s expansion and existence here means so much to us. As a County, we are growing at a tremendous rate, and we’re both blessed and challenged by that growth; but at the same time, we want to protect what we hold dear so conservation and preservation efforts are at the forefront of our thoughts and actions. This campus is a shining example in that nearly 60-percent of the campus is protected under a conservation easement with Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust. Aside from this, Dupont has been a generous community partner and we appreciate their past and continued support for the Cypress Gardens Park and Landing. Their recent donation of over five acres of land allowed us to expand an overwhelmed boat landing from 35 total parking spaces to 145 spaces. Dupont is a shining example of Industry and Government working together for those we serve and represent.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
“We had such great cooperation, first from our community, and really appreciate the strong support from the State, the County, the local government but also from our construction partners.” -John Singer, VP, Integrated Operations – Electronics & Industrial, DuPont
“This is really a testament to the commitment that we have with Cooper River…and really this is just the first in a series of investments in Cooper River. This will make this a central part of our manufacturing network for high performance and high quality healthcare materials.” -Sam Ponzo, VP / General Manager for Industrial Solutions for Electronics and Industrial Businesses, DuPont
“We are a global leader in healthcare solution products and now we’re (working) to increase our capacity and find alternative locations. …This is a very special customer set of people that really need help to cure…from diseases” -Eugenio Taccalino, Global Business Director for Healthcare and Specialty Lubricants, DuPont
“Being selected as the second dedicated healthcare site is indeed an honor and a reflection of our team’s track record of dedication, ownership, and commitment to our Core Values and excellence in meeting customers’ needs. Thanks to collaboration between the DuPont team and our contractor partners, the Cooper River site was completed within 17 months – on time, on budget, and without a single recordable safety incident.” -Bill Alexander, Cooper River Site Leader, DuPont
Expansion of biopharma processing tubing manufacturing capabilities with state-of-the-art infrastructure will support customer growth
WILMINGTON, Del., May 31, 2022 – DuPont (NYSE:DD) today announced the opening of its new DuPont™ Liveo™ Healthcare manufacturing site in Cooper River, South Carolina, to help better serve customers worldwide.
The site, located in Berkeley County, will be operated using the same quality standards as DuPont’s Healthcare Industries Materials Site, the company’s longstanding biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Hemlock, Michigan. The Cooper River site will bring additional extrusion capacity online over the next two years to serve strategic customers in the short term and expand its Liveo™ Healthcare customer base with additional supply in the medium term.
“The biopharma processing manufacturing investment at Cooper River is a key milestone in our growth strategy; it supports our customers’ expansion and contributes to business continuity,” said DuPont Healthcare & Specialty Lubricants Global Business Director Eugenio Toccalino. “We’re committed to investing in our healthcare business, and our recent expansions help us offer a highly reliable and sustainable product supply.”
DuPont™ Liveo™ Healthcare is also expanding its manufacturing footprint regionally to support customers locally, which will help alleviate supply pressure and allow customers to grow in their respective markets. In the second half of 2022, the company expects to add biopharma silicone tubing capacity in China to serve the fast-growing customers in the region.
“Through a strong, close collaboration between our DuPont team and our contractor partners, construction of the new Cooper River site was completed in 18 months, without a single safety incident”, said Bill Alexander, Cooper River site and unit leader for the DuPont™ Liveo™, and MOLYKOTE® plants. “The site has enabled the creation of 25 positions at start-up, with an additional 25 positions expected to be created as we ramp up operations over the next two years”, added Alexander.
“For more than fourteen years, DuPont Cooper River has continued to diversify and reinvest in new products ensuring the viability of this Berkeley County facility. Life sciences and biotechnology innovation is a growing sector with an $11 billion annual economic impact and over 40,000 jobs in the State of South Carolina. We thank DuPont for their commitment to this community and for creating more high-paying jobs for the local workforce,” said Kristen O. Lanier, Berkeley County Economic Development Director.
In 2021, the DuPont Cooper River site expanded to include manufacturing of DuPont™ MOLYKOTE® Specialty Lubricants.
As a trusted partner in the healthcare processing industry, DuPont has developed a leadership position within the industry by building upon more than seven decades of foundational capabilities that serve the highly regulated biopharmaceutical market. With these recent investments, DuPont is committed to serving the healthcare market and its customers more than ever, offering high-quality, high-performance solutions; application and material science expertise; and strong regulatory support to address healthcare customers’ specific needs and challenges.
About DuPont™ Liveo™ Healthcare Solutions
DuPont™ Liveo™ is a globally recognized leader in technology for a broad range of innovations in medical devices, biopharmaceutical processing and pharmaceutical solutions. DuPont high-performance materials help create safer healthcare environments and protect the health of patients and healthcare providers worldwide. We help enable smarter healthcare and positive patient outcomes. More information can be found at liveo.dupont.com.
About DuPont Electronics & Industrial
DuPont Electronics & Industrial is a global supplier of new technologies and performance materials serving the semiconductor, circuit board, display, digital and flexographic printing, healthcare, aerospace, industrial, and transportation industries. From advanced technology centers worldwide, teams of talented research scientists and application experts work closely with customers, providing solutions, products and technical service to enable next-generation technologies.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com
Do you own a business in Berkeley County or are interested in starting one? We want to hear from YOU! Our Berkeley County Economic Development teams wants to know what you like about living, working, and doing business in Berkeley County.
Please consider taking our survey so we can learn more about how your business is doing—and what WE can do—to help make EVERY business a success in our County.
On Thursday, April 21, Berkeley County Economic Development hosted its inaugural Industry Luncheon at the Lowcountry Conference Center in Nexton. Nearly two dozen industry partners gathered to learn more about what the County, and municipalities within the County, are doing to draw in new business and support existing ones.
“Industrial development in Berkeley County helps keep our taxes the lowest of any County government in the State. More than that, it has provided many job and career opportunities for our residents. The average hourly wage on new investment in 2021 was over $27 per hour, compared to the $21 (per hour) average County wage. Everyone focuses on ‘unemployment,’ but we realize many of our hard-working residents are ‘underemployed’ and these job opportunities are life-changing.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
“I hope the word that you have heard over and over from every leader…is the word ‘together.’ We’ve heard ‘One Berkeley’—that’s the theme—and it’s something that we truly do so well. …We need to become a team together. …Your (industry’s) people are our residents; we care about our residents. They are your employees; they’re the people shopping in the towns that we’re…all trying so hard to make so amazing.” –City of Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater
“If you’re thinking about putting your business here (or) you’re growing your business, you want to have a quality of life for the people who work for you; and that’s what we work very hard at. …We want to create as many opportunities for people to come together as possible. …We put people and jobs and education and retail and recreation in the same place.” –City of Goose Creek – Municipal Government Mayor Greg Habib
“We, Moncks Corner, are going to focus more on commercial and retail because we see development as a broadband approach; it is our responsibility to create the communities that those industries want to come into. …The things Moncks Corner is doing is a three-pronged approach: recruiting new businesses, providing infrastructure for significant development, and business assistance because we can’t forget the businesses that we already have.” –Town of Moncks Corner Administrator Jeff Lord.
This event was a direct reflection of the #OneBerkeley mindset that helps create positive partnerships, fuel the County’s ongoing economic success, and sustain our communities’ exceptional quality of life.
