Charleston County Economic Development

08/28/2026

Boeing has announced its plans to double its local apprenticeship program, creating more accessible pathways into advanced manufacturing for our emerging workforce.

We’re proud to see how this investment serves as a strong boost for Charleston County’s talent pipeline!

Read the full story here.

Boeing is expanding its registered apprenticeship program, creating more opportunities for people to enter high-skilled manufacturing careers without a four-year college degree.

08/25/2026

SAVE THE DATE - We're bringing you four career fairs this September for Workforce Development Month!

We'll connect you to multiple top employers in our region that are hiring now, in partnership with economic development leaders from Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties.

👉 Sept. 3: Berkeley County Career Fair - https://bit.ly/4cSTZjN

👉 Sept. 9: Charleston County Career Fair - https://bit.ly/46lrAPK

👉 Sept. 17: Dorchester County Career Fair - https://bit.ly/4xVYTol

👉 Sept. 23: Public Service Career Fair - https://bit.ly/4wJhRxC

Come one, come all. No preregistration is needed to attend. Please share this post with anyone interested in making a career change.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the month!

08/20/2026

Charleston County is SC’s largest defense economy. With unmatched scale in contracts, mission impact, and technical talent, our community stands as a strategic hub for national security.

In 2025, Charleston County obligated $1.2B in defense contracts, which has helped to fuel the region’s growing security footprint.

Explore our military and defense ecosystem here: https://bit.ly/4xIzSNh

08/19/2026

South Carolina had a strong presence at the 2026 Southern Economic Development Council Conference!

Gene Borzendowski, Director of Global Business Development, represented Charleston County Economic Development at this year's event, engaging with peers across the Southern region on shared priorities and emerging opportunities.

Thank you, SEDC, for convening another valuable conference!

08/17/2026

Our Job Development Incentive (JDI) is designed to power sustainable growth in Charleston County by bringing high-quality jobs directly to our community.

Whether you’re expanding your workforce, launching a new initiative, or entering the region for the first time, our team is here to work directly with approved industries to explore how the JDI program can be a powerful tool to accelerate your success.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wzANid

08/14/2026

South Carolina was recently recognized by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News as one of the next biotech clusters to watch, with Charleston earning a special mention.

In an article, SCbio mentioned that Charleston is emerging as one of the fastest-growing biotech hubs in the Southeast, highlighting how SHL Medical and Charles River Labs are both making major strides in the local biotech landscape.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3TWZ2cA

08/12/2026

Next week, Gene Borzendowski, Director of Global Business Development, will represent our team at the annual Southern Economic Development Council conference in Bonita Springs, FL.

We look forward to the valuable insights and collaborative conversations during this year's event.

08/11/2026

We are proud to share that IEB Americas has selected Charleston County for its first major production in North America!

IEB Americas is a subsidiary of Industrie Elektronik Brilon GmbH (IEB), a leading manufacturer of industrial battery charging systems and charging technologies. The new assembly in North Charleston represents a $1.5 million investment and will bring 30 new jobs to the community.

“IEB Americas’ decision to select Charleston County for its first-ever production center in North America underscores how our area continues to be a strong, competitive location for businesses to expand and grow operations. We are honored to welcome IEB Americas and look forward to the additional power-production capabilities this investment brings to our community.”
-Charleston County Government Chairman Joe Boykin

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4g2pr02

08/10/2026

"Our top priority is ensuring that Charleston’s growth remains sustainable and competitive. While the region has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, our focus now is on proactively guiding the next phase of that growth in a way that preserves quality of life while strengthening long-term competitiveness." - Merle Johnson, Charleston County Economic Development Executive Director

Thank you, caa, for featuring Merle in the inaugural Invest: South Carolina Spotlight On series to discuss Charleston County's evolving economic development strategy to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/45g9qyu

08/07/2026

WalletHub recently ranked Charleston as one of the happiest cities in America—and we couldn’t agree more.

From world‑class career opportunities to vibrant communities with stunning natural beauty, Charleston offers an exceptional quality of life that’s hard to beat.

Thinking about growing your career in Charleston? Here’s what makes living here so special:
https://bit.ly/4hQrDtR