Thank you for your interest in Berkeley County, the gateway to South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

Our beautiful and quickly growing county has become a very popular relocation destination for businesses and families alike. In fact, Berkeley County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina and has been ranked as one of the  fastest-growing county in the entire nation since 2010. Berkeley County’s rich history, friendly people, year-round cultural and recreational opportunities, overall quality of life and having the lowest county government millage rate in the state make Berkeley County a desirable place to work, live and raise a family.

Berkeley County offers abundant opportunities for businesses. Conveniently located, Berkeley County has tremendous access to rail and two major interstates and is just minutes from the Port of Charleston. Along with a well-trained workforce, Berkeley County offers deep water sites for industrial use, diverse structures and plentiful building sites for business and industry.

Berkeley County’s strong, pro-business environment is heavily supported by our County Supervisor Johnny Cribb, County Council and countywide elected county officials. Berkeley County is a strong member of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA), a tri-county economic development and marketing organization serving Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties and whose membership include a diverse group of businesses and industries from around the world that proudly call the region their home.

In short, Berkeley County offers an extremely desirable location to start or grow businesses and serves as one of the most competitive areas in the global marketplace.

Meet our Team


Kristen Orvin Lanier

kristen.lanier@berkeleycountysc.gov | 843-719-4301

Director 

A Berkeley County native, Lanier boasts a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing from the College of Charleston. She started with the County in February 2015 as the Marketing and PR Coordinator for the Berkeley County Library System and joined Economic Development in July 2018 as the Workforce Development Manager; and since then, she has helped greatly expand the ManuFirstSC program, started the welding programs at Cross and Timberland high schools, and increased the participation of local industries with the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Prior to joining the County, Lanier worked 10 years in the sales and marketing industry. But Lanier’s skillset doesn’t end there; Her expertise in graphic design and website work led her to help rebrand the County’s logo, revamp the County and Sheriff’s Office websites, and design in-depth, informational marketing materials for Cypress Gardens.

Lanier is currently a member of the South Carolina Economic Development Association, the Moncks Corner Kiwanis Club, and the Moncks Corner Rotary Club, where she serves as the Public Image Chair. She is also on the Moncks Corner YMCA Board of Directors as the Board Development Chair and is Vice President of the Moncks Corner and Berkeley County Humanities Festival.

 Lanier recently joined the Board for Berkeley County Habitat for Humanity and the Advisory Council of Volunteers for the Callan Lacey Center.

Lanier and her husband, James, currently live in Moncks Corner with their 12-year-old son, Mitchell.


Bidd Smith

bidd.smith@berkeleycountysc.gov | 843-719-4996

Project Manager

Bidd Smith joined the Economic Development Team as Project Manager in November of 2020. Smith has a lengthy resume of relationship building and management, including 22 years with Berkeley County alone. His prior County experience includes 17 years with Berkeley County Public Works under the roles of Project Management and Utility Coordination and Vegetation Management/Licensed Applicator. For the last five years, Smith served in the County’s Safety and Risk Management Department—specifically in Workers’ Comp. His vast certifications and titles range from County Infection Control Officer to OSHA 10 & 30 General Industry Certified and CPR/AED Instructor Certified.

When not conducting County work, Smith can usually be found exploring his County. His favorite hobbies center on outdoor recreation and waterway relaxation, including hunting, fishing, and boating. Smith is also a PADI Certified Scuba Diver whose deep-water discoveries frequently include fossils and other unique finds. Smith and his wife Norma call Moncks Corner home. The couple, who have been married 22 years, have two children and multiple grandchildren.


Michael P. Ramsey

michael.ramsey@berkeleycountysc.gov | 843-719-4260

Existing Industries Manager

Michael Ramsey joined the Economic Development team in July of 2019 after working in the Berkeley County Assessor’s office for 22 years. Mr. Ramsey is a Certified General licensed commercial appraiser. A graduate of The Citadel and a lifelong resident of Berkeley County, he is passionate about public education and an active volunteer within his community. In his free time, he loves spending time in the Low Country with his wife and three young boys.


Corey D. McClary

corey.mcclary@berkeleycountysc.gov | 843-719-4096

Workforce Development Manager

Corey McClary serves as the Workforce Development Manager. McClary is a graduate of The Citadel. Raised by two professional educators, McClary has a passion for helping others and education and was taught and trained that true leadership is developed with respect, integrity, and discipline. These characteristics helped McClary develop a passion early on in life to become a “servant leader”, or one that leads by serving others.

As such, McClary has had the privilege of serving in the United States Army, also serving as a full time Youth Pastor in Goose Creek SC, serving as a Citizen Advisor for the City of Goose Creek, serving as a Berkeley Electric COOP Community Outreach Board Member, serving as a Community Arbitrator for Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, being the founder of the Berkeley County Teen After School Center with the SC Dept. of Juvenile Justice and serving as a mentor to dozens of students. McClary also serves in his local church as a teacher for Children’s Church, a media team member, and Pastor’s Aid.

McClary is married to his best friend, his bride, Kimberly McClary. He loves sports, and has five children, Destiny, Danielle, Kaitlyn, Cayden and Cameron.


Jenna-Ley Jamison

jennaley.jamison@berkeleycountysc.govv | 843-719-4205

Public Information Officer

Jenna-Ley Jamison is the Berkeley County Public Information Officer, working in the Public Information Office. She came to Berkeley County in September 2019 from Summerville Communications, Inc., where she worked more than four years as a staff reporter for the company’s three weekly newspapers: Summerville Journal Scene, Berkeley Independent and Goose Creek Gazette. Prior to that, she filled a print reporter position with Lincoln Times-News, a tri-weekly publication near her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.


 Myra Dix

myra.dix@berkeleycountysc.gov | 843-719-4175

Administrative Specialist

Mrs. Myra Dix serves as the Administrative Specialist in the Economic Development Office. A graduate of Davidson County Community College in North Carolina with a Degree in Paralegal Studies, Mrs. Dix worked in the legal profession for over 25 years before joining the Berkeley County team in 2015. Born and raised in Thomasville, North Carolina, Mrs. Dix and her family have been Berkeley County residents since 1990.