Berkeley Means Business
Berkeley County Economic Development
S.C. Department of Commerce Business Services Division will provide free monthly webinars that focus on workforce and retention options to help support your S.C. business. Speakers from across the state will provide information on available staffing programs, workforce resources, state labor laws and regulations, and other timely information that can assist your business’ continued success in the Palmetto State.
Join us on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM
Elisabeth Kovacs, Deputy Director of Workforce Development, S.C. Department of Commerce
will discuss topics that address workforce recruitment, retention services, talent management, and more!
Click here to register today!
BCDCOG, Charleston Metro Chamber, CRDA and more partner to lead
comprehensive economic recovery and resiliency plan focused on real change.
The most comprehensive partnership of business, government, academic, nonprofit and community leaders in our region’s history today announced the launch of One Region Roadmap: Opportunities for All. The Roadmap
is an economic recovery and resiliency plan that will define a healthy greater Charleston while offering real solutions, implementable actions and measurable results.
The effort is supported by a broad array of stakeholders from across Berkeley, Charleston, and
Dorchester counties, and will be guided by public input. The plan — built on action and
outcomes — will also outline a pathway to economic security, stability and opportunities for
all in our region.
Your Voice Matters
Please fill out the survey below to help us understand what challenges you are facing and opportunities the tri-county region should pursue. All survey responses are voluntary and anonymous. We greatly appreciate your time and input.
“This is an exciting opportunity for all of us to work together to address deeply rooted and
systemic problems, while developing both short-term and long-term regional priorities,” said
Dr. Kendra Stewart, One Region Chair and Director of the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable
Communities at the College of Charleston. “Public input is critical in creating the most
comprehensive plan our region has ever seen. Each of us is responsible for moving our
community forward,” she added.
One Region Roadmap: Opportunities for All is the next evolution of the One Region
Strategy launched in 2016. It begins a new strategic planning and public input process,
providing a broad platform for the community to address economic challenges old and new
— and to prepare for adversities yet to come. The plan should be completed by February 2022.
“One Region Roadmap builds upon the previous five-year global competitiveness strategy
and its core values, and will serve as a blueprint for continuing the economic momentum our
region has built over the last 10 years, while eliminating disparities and creating opportunities
for all residents to thrive,” said David Ginn, CRDA President & CEO.
The effort is led by One Region stakeholders including BCDCOG, Charleston Metro Chamber,
Charleston Regional Development Alliance, and the public, private, academic, and nonprofit
sectors of our community.
-more-
SB Friedman Development Advisors has been retained to lead the development of the
Roadmap. The firm, which has previous and ongoing experience in the region, is renowned
nationally for its analytical, strategic and financial consulting services in support of complex,
high-impact development projects.
One Region Roadmap is possible thanks to a $400,000 U.S. Economic Development
Administration grant secured by BCDCOG, with additional support from partner agencies.
“This partnership is built on the shared desire of the public and private sectors to make our
region stronger and more resilient when facing major disruptions such as the global
pandemic, and addressing long-standing challenges such as those related to inequality,” said
BCDCOG Executive Director Ron Mitchum.
One Region Roadmap will identify barriers to expanding our regional economy and
providing residents with opportunities for economic mobility.
The ultimate success of One Region Roadmap lies in its ability to create real change.
“This plan will provide an intentional focus on equity and economic mobility, creating
implementable action items to ensure our region offers all residents the opportunity to live,
learn and earn,” said Charleston Metro Chamber President and CEO Bryan Derreberry.
The One Region Roadmap effort kicked off today with a community-based, 500-invitee,
virtual focus group. Multiple engagement opportunities will be available for the entire
community through the end of 2021, including a survey this summer and public meeting in
the fall.
For more information, please visit OneRegionRoadmap.com.
Berkeley County joined state and local leaders on June 23 to celebrate the grand opening of the Volvo Car University Campus and Technical Center located in Ridgeville.
The campus consists of buildings that, together, make close to 89,000 square feet available for training and office space. With the addition of these buildings, the company will better educate retailer technicians on current vehicle technologies.
This grand opening will bring more opportunities to Berkeley County citizens and the state of South Carolina.
Read more about Volvo Car University here.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – XIFIN, a national leader in revenue cycle management (RCM) for diagnostic providers, today announced plans to establish operations in Berkeley County. The company’s new East Coast location will create more than 150 new jobs over the next two years.
With over 20 years of experience helping diagnostic providers manage business and optimize revenue cycle through the company’s cloud-based RCM and laboratory information systems, XIFIN offers clients access to the information and tools needed to optimize financial visibility and operations, including understanding business trends, ensuring maximum reimbursement and improving cash flow.
Read full article by S.C. Department of Commerce here.
| Charleston, SC –The Charleston Metro Chamber’s Center for Business Research conducted a compensation and benefits survey in spring of 2021, in collaboration with the Berkeley and Greater Summerville / Dorchester Chambers of Commerce. The survey was open to all types of business establishments — all sizes and all business sectors. Nearly 100 companies, representing approximately 40,000 employees in the region, participated in the biennial online survey. Key findings from the study include:Pay increases appear to have returned to 3% to 3.5% for all types of employees within all sectorsAbout 60% of employers reported having a work-from-home/telecommuniting policy in placeLack of or too few applicants is reported as a top concern for both manufacturers (88%) and non-manufacturing (47%) employers”The survey was designed by the Center for Business Research with input from local experts in the human resources field in order to develop the most effective questions to be included in the survey,” said Jacki Renegar, Director of The Center for Business Research. “We hope that the results of this survey will better inform regional organizations’ compensation and benefits practices.” The 2021 Charleston Metro Area Compensation and Benefits Practices report encompasses the survey results and the benefits and compensation practices among employers in the three-county Charleston Metro Area (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties). This study’s objective is to provide information on compensation practices of firms operating in the three-county region to:Help existing firms evaluate their own organization’s compensation practices more effectively, particularly with the pandemic’s effect on work environmentsAssist companies in creating a benchmark analysis to use for strategic planning purposes, andProvide trends and general information on typical local employer practices to prospective companies and site selection consultants looking at the Charleston region as a potential business location.To view the 2021 Compensation and Benefits study, visit www.charlestonchamber.org/compbenefits. |
Contact: Erin Aylor, SVP of Marketing 843.805.3053 eaylor@charlestonchamber.org |
| About the Center for Business Research The Center for Business Research, founded in 1990 by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, compiles, analyzes and distributes economic and demographic information on the Charleston region. Conducting both primary and secondary research, the Center is a resource for unbiased business, demographic and economic statistics, and its work has been recognized nationally through numerous awards and presentations. The Center has been conducting wage and benefits related surveys since 1997. Though study participants differ each time the survey is conducted, significant shifts in reported policies and practices over time can be indicative of real-time trends in local employer practices. For more information, contact the Center for Business Research at 843-577-2510, or visit the resource center of the Metro Chamber’s website https://www.charlestonchamber.org/news/resource/. About the Charleston Metro Chamber With approximately 1,600 member organizations representing 160,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community, and a catalyst for regional economic advancement and member success through Talent, Advocacy, Leadership and Business Development. Visit charlestonchamber.org. |
Tri-County STEMersion 2021 is happening June 21- 30. This two-week, professional development event is a hands-on institute for middle and high school instructors and school counselors in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. The institute reinforces the importance of math, science and soft skills for the region’s workforce and economic growth. Educators visit local companies as “Edgineers” where they “study” work processes, participate in hands-on workplace activities and lesson writing forums to create new industry-inspired lessons for use in South Carolina’s K12 system to propel all students to become global learners and thinkers.
The institute also facilitates the development of a pipeline of future qualified employees. Through the provocative and intriguing leadership experience, educators, the main catalysts of student achievement, return to their classrooms to stir the career interests of local students while compelling the students to use creativity, teamwork, persistence, initiative and problem-solving skills to innovate our next world. Finally, the institute creates a path for a regional grassroots career awareness campaign in which local industries are introduced to additional educators, parents, and students after Tri-County STEMersion concludes.
Tri-County STEMersion goals:
- Building awareness of in-demand careers, cultures, skill needs and competency requirements of STEM companies
- Visiting and exploring companies with the use of the Tri-County STEMersion industry guide
- Fostering the creation of industry-inspired lessons using the Tri-County STEMersion template and rubric
- Inspiring the creation of problem-solving projects that permit students to “touch” the workplace by engaging students in the execution of competencies and skills required by local industries
- Providing a virtual platform to upload lessons for use in the South Carolina K12 system
- Facilitating the creation of artifacts that describe Tri-County STEMersion to stakeholders
The participating Berkeley County industry partners are Santee Cooper, NIWC, Thorne, Google, and Berkeley County School District.
Read more about Tri-County STEMersion at https://tricountystemersion.com/.
June 3, 2021 – Berkeley County joined local leaders to break ground on the new Downtown Nexton. The multi-million dollar project is expected to take five to seven years to complete and will cover just under 100 acres. The area, which is currently timberland, will soon have 1,200 multi-family residential units, retail, entertainment, hospitality buildings, restaurants, office space and more.
Post and Courier reports,
A new $300 million-plus, mixed-use development of retail, restaurants, offices, hotels and apartments is now underway in the suburban Charleston area.
New Jersey-based Sharbell Development Corp. recently broke ground on the 99-acre Downtown Nexton project between Sigma Drive and Brighton Park Boulevard in the growing Nexton community in Berkeley County.
The company bought the parcel in 2019 for $18.5 million, according to Berkeley County land records. It’s west of the retail and restaurant center called Nexton Square.
With construction expected in phases over the next four or five years, the first project will include multifamily units, a mixed-use building with loft apartments over ground-level retail spaces and several outparcel buildings.
Altogether, three apartment parcels will offer a variety of tenant offerings, including a 55-plus, upscale rental community. Some of the mixed-used buildings will include upper-floor lofts with a rooftop lounge and several common-use rooms. Units will range from studio to three bedrooms.
The new construction will offer 110,000 square feet of office space for sale or lease, starting at 9,000 square feet in flexible, two-story buildings on Brighton Park Boulevard. CBRE of Charleston is handling sales and leasing.
Additionally, Downtown Nexton will include more than 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space interspersed throughout the project and along Sigma Drive.
Outdoor amenities will include walking trails, pocket parks and two manicured ponds on the north and south sides of the project.
| Century Aluminum expanding operations in Berkeley County More than $60 million investment will create 100 new jobs Berkeley County, S.C. – Century Aluminum, one of the nation’s largest primary aluminum producers, today announced plans to expand operations in Berkeley County. The more than $60 million investment will create 100 new jobs. Founded in 1995, Century Aluminum produces standard-grade, high-purity and value-added primary aluminum products, with operations in the United States and Iceland. With its Mt. Holly operation, located at 3575 U.S. Route 52 in Moncks Corner, Century Aluminum casts molten aluminum into standard-grade ingot, horizontal direct chilled (HDC) ingot, extrusion billet and other primary aluminum products. The state-of-the-art operation improves efficiency, energy utilization and environmental protection. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Individuals interested in joining the Century Aluminum team should visit the company’s careers webpage. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. QUOTES “At the Century Aluminum Mt. Holly smelter, the aluminum we produce every day is a key input for many sectors of the economy, including automotive, electrical, construction and aerospace industries as well as our military. Thanks to the leadership of Governor McMaster, Secretary Hitt and their teams, Century Aluminum is proud to be increasing production capacity at Mt. Holly, alongside a more than $60 million investment and the creation of 100 new good-paying aluminum jobs.” -Century Aluminum Incoming CEO and President Jesse Gary “Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly plant has long served as a unique economic driver for Berkley County and their success is a win for South Carolina. I congratulate Century Aluminum and all who have worked so hard to make this day a reality.” -Gov. Henry McMaster “Companies like Century Aluminum continue to help strengthen our state’s manufacturing sector. The company’s decision to expand in South Carolina shows that our state’s advantageous economic environment and talented workforce not only attract business, but also help them grow.” -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt “Berkeley County is proud of Century Aluminum’s long history in the county and the job opportunities it has provided through the years. This expansion will further the industry’s impact on the county with increased investment and more high-paying jobs. We look forward to seeing Century Aluminum’s continued contribution to the county’s economic success.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb FIVE FAST FACTS Century Aluminum is expanding operations in Berkeley County. The more than $60 million investment will create 100 new jobs. Century Aluminum is one of the nation’s largest primary aluminum producers. Located at 3575 U.S. Route 52 in Moncks Corner, S.C. Individuals interested in joining the Century Aluminum team should visit the company’s careers webpage. |
South Carolina to Move to Phase 1b of COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on March 8, 2021
Public Health Officials Unveil Plans for All Vaccination Phases
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today that South Carolina will advance to Phase 1b of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan beginning Monday, March 8.
“Throughout South Carolina’s vaccination efforts, our priority has been – and continues to be – saving lives,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “In the month of February, South Carolina made tremendous progress on expanding access to vaccinations as the supply of vaccine increased. Our hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare providers became more nimble and efficient at getting shots in arms. Because of these successes, we’re now in a position to make the majority of South Carolinians eligible to receive the vaccine.”
“South Carolina remains focused on protecting the lives and health of South Carolinians from COVID-19,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director. “With the significant increase in vaccine supply and progress in vaccinating people in group 1a, front-line health care workers and those aged 65 and over, we are now ready to move to our next phase. Our state’s vaccine plan prioritizes those with greatest risk, while ensuring equal access to the vaccine for every South Carolinian aged 16 and over.”
South Carolina’s phased approach to its COVID-19 vaccine rollout recognizes the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 increases with age, and people with certain medical conditions and occupations are at higher risk of exposure to the virus. Because of this, South Carolina will continue to move phase by phase, based on risk level, with the goal of vaccinating every South Carolinian who wants to receive a vaccine by this summer.
Beginning March 8, appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine can be made by people in the following groups:
- Anyone aged 55 and up
- People with increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
- People aged 16-64 with one or more of the following high-risk medical conditions:
- Cancer (current, not a history of cancer), chronic kidney disease (any stage), chronic lung disease, diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), Down syndrome, heart disease (congestive heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension), HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant, obesity (BMI >30), pregnancy, sickle cell disease.
- People who have a developmental or other severe high-risk disability that makes developing severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection more likely
- People aged 16-64 with one or more of the following high-risk medical conditions:
- Frontline workers with increased occupational risk
Frontline workers with increased occupational risk are people who:- Must be in-person at their place of work, and
- Perform a job that puts them at increased risk of exposure due to their frequent, close (less than 6 feet) and ongoing (more than 15 minutes) contact with others in the work environment
Examples of frontline workers include, but are not limited to, school staff and daycare workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, law enforcement officers, etc.
- Individuals at increased risk in settings where people are living and working in close contact
- Residents and workers in group home settings for the mentally or physically disabled or those with behavioral or substance abuse conditions
- Workers and residents in homeless shelters
- Workers and residents in community training homes
- State and local correctional facility staff with direct inmate contact
- Correctional and immigration detention facility inmates
- Migrant farmworkers living in shared housing or reliant on shared transportation
- All workers in healthcare and community health settings who have routine, direct patient contact and were not vaccinated in Phase 1a
“The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines, including the recent approval of the new one-shot Janssen vaccine, has given us renewed hope for a return to normalcy and a light at the end of the tunnel,” Dr. Simmer said. “At the same time, we know our fight is not yet over. Until enough of us get vaccinated, we must all continue to wear masks, stay six feet away from others, and avoid crowds, even after we have received the vaccine. In addition, being tested can help reduce the spread of the disease and identify the presence of variants as early as possible.”
Public health officials estimate it will take 70 to 80 percent of the population getting vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity and stop COVID-19.
Based on current vaccine supply levels, DHEC anticipates Phase 1c will begin on approximately April 12, 2021. The phase will include:
- People aged 45 and up
- Essential workers
- This group includes those who work in essential job categories as defined by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) who are not included in Phase 1b because they do not have frequent, close contact with others in the work environment (examples may include construction workers, delivery drivers, utility workers, etc. who do not have frequent, close and ongoing contact with others).
Phase 2 will begin on approximately May 3, 2021, and will include:
- All South Carolinians aged 16 and up
South Carolinians are urged to get vaccinated according to the state’s plan, and not to jump ahead of others.
“We’re asking South Carolinians to consider others, and the fact that this plan is risk-based to prevent severe illness and death,” Dr. Simmer said. “You’re urged to not jump the line and put your loved ones, friends or neighbors at risk by doing so.”
How to make an appointment?
Online appointments can be made by using //scdhec.gov/vaxlocator or you can call DHEC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at 1-866-365-8110 for help.
How will people demonstrate eligibility?
When seeking vaccine services, people included in Phase 1b or 1c may show eligibility by showing an ID that incudes their date of birth, verifying that they meet the criteria for a frontline or essential worker, or by verifying that they have an eligible high-risk medical condition.
For a copy of the plan, click here. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.
The 10-acre biorefinery facility in Charleston International Manufacturing Center will be capable of processing 110,000 tons of crude tall oil from wood pulp used in paper manufacturing.
(January 29, 2021) GOOSE CREEK | SC – This week, Mainstream Pine Products, LLC, announced plans to build an estimated $90 million crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery at the Charleston International Manufacturing Center (CIMC) located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. The biorefinery will be a highly advanced recycling facility with capacity to process 110,000 tons of CTO for use in a wide range of industrial applications.
This facility will serve as the centerpiece of Mainstream’s strategy to become the highest quality, lowest cost producer of CTO derivatives in North America. The company anticipates breaking ground and starting construction later this year with operations commencing in 2023.
CTO is a renewable, non-food resource and a byproduct of pine trees used in paper manufacturing. It is a vital component of many chemicals including renewable diesel processing products, lubricants, adhesives, inks, paints, coatings, and tire and rubber additives.
“We conducted deep-dive market studies and reviewed pine chemical industry cycles. The increasing demand for renewable, non-food source materials led us to a nationwide search for the best location in which to expand our operations. The Goose Creek site was unsurpassed among many we considered. “It affords us an ideal manufacturing location in an integrated industrial park with reliable infrastructure and intermodal access for efficient delivery of source materials and shipping of refined products.” – Mainstream Pine Products President & CEO Rob Helwick
“Mainstream Pine Products’ announcement builds on South Carolina’s growing reputation in the renewable materials sector. I applaud this innovative company for establishing this new facility in Berkeley County and look forward to watching them thrive for years to come.” – Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt
“It is important for us to develop our line of renewable products in a plant that meets the most rigorous environmental standards,” explained Helwick. “All things being equal, we believe the general population prefers renewable products, and the biorefinery acknowledges the world’s increasing demand for more sustainable goods.”
“Mainstream Pine Products could not have picked a better location to setup operations. Berkeley County is widely recognized as a prevailing hub for manufacturing in both the region and state; and we are pleased to welcome this industry to Goose Creek to help supply and support our County’s existing industries as well as create more quality jobs and career opportunities for our citizens.” – Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
Mainstream will be located in the 1,750-acre advanced manufacturing park at Charleston Industrial Manufacturing Center (CIMC) owned and operated by Cooper River Partners (CRP). It offers rail and deep-water access via barge, and CRP provides utility services to tenants, such as steam, compressed air, process water and more.
“We are excited to welcome Mainstream to the growing list of companies that call Charleston International Manufacturing Center home. Through providing reliable and cost-effective industrial services, CRP looks forward to supporting Mainstream’s successful growth.” – Cooper River Partners President Kent Fonvielle
“We are pleased to welcome Mainstream Pine Products to our community and look forward to its continued growth and success. By selecting Charleston Industrial Manufacturing Center as its home, it underscores what a competitive advantage this unique park in Berkeley County offers to businesses around the world.” – Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board Chairman John Hagerty
With access to interstate highways, deep water shipping and rail facilities, Mainstream’s 10-acre facility will feature industry leading NEXPINUS™ technology provided by Neste Engineering Solutions Oy. The associated project management and engineering will be provided by PegasusTSI, Inc. and supported by Neste Engineering Solutions.
Mainstream has also established a long-term raw material supply chain and has engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to serve as the underwriter for its tax-exempt project financing.
About Mainstream Pine Products
Mainstream Pine Products, LLC, was founded in 2019 by a group of investors dedicated to using specialty chemicals from pine trees in a variety of downstream products for complex industries. Central to the company’s value proposition is the construction and operation of a new crude tall oil biorefinery along coastal South Carolina to open in 2023. Learn more about Mainstream at mainstreampineproducts.com.
