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Area
OverviewThe Charleston metropolitan area is m... ...locally engaged to craft a legacy for
the future.
The Charleston region is growing and flo... ...t maintains its rich, historic charm.
The region stretches from central to
southern South Carolina, some 50 miles (80 km) inland, with 90 miles (145 km) of oceanfront.
The area’s economic mix is diverse, combining one of
the busiest container ports along
the Southeast and Gulf coasts, a $3 billion visitor industry, one of
the Southeast’s most impressive medical hubs, a well-established base of national and international manufacturers, as well as a large military presence. As one of only three places in
the world manufacturing wide body aircraft,
the Charleston business community is poised for continued and more energetic growth in
the years ahead. Consistently recognized as a top place to do business, companies continue to locate here to capitalize on
the high quality workforce, low taxes, and quality of life.
Arts, recreational and cultural opportunities are abundant, including museums, music, dance and
theater, as well as water sports, golf, hunting, fishing, horseback riding and
other activities. Abundant restaurant offerings have made Charleston one of
the culinary capitals of
the world and is consistently recognized internationally as one of
the top travel and tourist destinations on
the globe.
Home to four universities,
the Charleston region boasts excellent educational opportunities for its residents.
The Medical University of SC is one of
the top research universities in
the country and
the biotechnology inventions coming from this research create an opportunity for growth in this sector.
The digital revolution is also alive and well with multiple Companies, public and private, operating in
the space. This vibrant and energetic dimension of
the community attracts young and exciting talent to
the region.
The Charleston region is positioned to grow very well in
the 21st century.MarketsOfficeCharleston is a thriving and vibrant coastal City with a well-diversified employment base that has fostered steady growth in
the office sector. Its varied submarkets cater to a variety of office users. From larger employers, such as Boeing, in
the central North Charleston area, to
the high-end service industries seeking
the Historic Central Business District, to
the sole proprietors desiring
the small bedroom community of Mount Pleasant,
the Charleston market meets
the needs of an expansive and diverse base of businesses.RetailA city known for its art and entertainment, over
the past decade Charleston has received more accolades as a travel, culinary, and shopping destination than its peers and more than practically any
other U.S. destination. From
the historic, eighteenth-century downtown shops along
brick-lined streets to
the burgeoning suburban retail centers to
the north and east, Charleston’s three county metropolitan region blends
together the creative, entrepreneurial mindset with
the large, national chains eager to be a part of
the area’s population growth. As demand for quality retail
space has rebounded in late 2011, new product is beginning to go vertical, most particularly in
the areas
the Historic Downtown’s Upper King Street, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville.Industrial Charleston’s industrial real estate sector continues to grow with almost 44 million sf of
space. That includes a strong warehouse/distribution hub anchored by one of
the deepest and busiest ports on
the southeast coast. In addition, a growing manufacturing footprint continues to expand with an
aerospace and auto-related sector that leverages relatively cheap utilities and a productive, non-unionized labor force. Advanced Security & IT have become
the largest user of flex
space in
the area, particularly as defense contractors and related firms have become one of
the region’s largest employers. A pro-growth business environment,
the US’s most efficient port, and highway and rail access to
other key markets on
the East Coast make Charleston an ideal destination for each of
these sectors.
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