Charleston Regional Development Alliance

09/04/2026

South Carolina’s workforce is one of its greatest competitive advantages, and technical colleges are a big reason why. 🎓⚙️

A new SC Biz News story looks at the increasingly important role the South Carolina Technical College System plays in preparing talent for advanced manufacturing, healthcare, cybersecurity, robotics, aerospace and other high-demand fields.

And the Charleston region stands out: Trident Technical College has the largest economic impact of any technical college in the state at $970.6 million annually.

The impact goes well beyond the numbers. More than 80% of South Carolina technical college graduates remain in the state one year after graduation, helping employers build the skilled, local talent pipelines they need for today and the future.

As industries and technologies evolve, the programs preparing South Carolina’s workforce are evolving right alongside them.

🔗 Read more from SC Biz News: https://bit.ly/4xp9Xuq

SC technical colleges fuel workforce growth

09/03/2026

September is Workforce Development Month in South Carolina! 👷‍♀️💼🎓

Led by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, this month is an opportunity to celebrate the people who power our state’s economy and the organizations working every day to connect South Carolinians with meaningful career opportunities.

Throughout September, DEW and SC Works Trident partners across the state will host job fairs, hiring events, workshops, training opportunities and more, while highlighting the collaboration among employers, educators, nonprofits and workforce partners that keeps South Carolina working.

Here’s to the people, partnerships and possibilities that make up SC@Work! 👏

@

09/02/2026

LinkedIn has named Charleston the #6 U.S. City on the Rise for 2026, recognizing the metros seeing some of the strongest momentum for jobs and new talent.

The ranking uses LinkedIn data to track where professionals are getting hired, jobs are being posted and new talent is building careers.

Charleston stood out for a combination we know well: a thriving port economy, advanced manufacturing and an expanding workforce, all paired with the coastal culture and quality of place that continue to attract talent to the region.

As career opportunities increasingly extend beyond the nation’s traditional business hubs, Charleston is proving that you don’t have to choose between building a career and building a life.

09/01/2026

South Carolina is stacking up the accolades. 👏

Business Facilities’ 2026 Annual Rankings put the Palmetto State among the nation’s leaders across several categories important to business and investment:

⚙️ #7 Manufacturing Hubs
🚗 #7 Automotive
🔋 #6 Automotive: Future Hubs
⚓ #9 Marine Transportation Ecosystem
🚤 #9 Marine Industry: Ship & Boat Building
💼 #9 Best Business Climate
⚡ #3 Nuclear Energy Generation
📈 #3 Fastest-Growing Population

South Carolina was also recognized among the nation’s leading Civil/Commercial Aircraft Hubs, another strength with a major footprint right here in the Charleston region.

From advanced manufacturing and aerospace to automotive, energy and maritime, the rankings reflect the depth and diversity that continue to make South Carolina a competitive place to do business.

See the full 2026 rankings from Business Facilities: https://bit.ly/3Uj24bf

08/31/2026

September is Workforce Development Month, and there are plenty of opportunities to make your next career move right here in the Charleston region. 💼

Four career fairs are happening throughout the month, connecting jobseekers with employers that are hiring now across 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

No preregistration is required. Know someone looking for a new opportunity? Send this their way!

SC Works Trident

08/27/2026

Small workforce. Big output. 📈

The Charleston region generates $413,000 in high-tech output per worker, outperforming most of the peer metros included in CRDA’s 2026 Innovation Scorecard, despite having the smallest workforce in the comparison.

It’s a strong indicator that innovation isn’t just about size. It’s about what a region’s talent, companies and ideas are capable of producing. 💡

Explore more data in 2026 Innovation Scorecard at https://bit.ly/4wxpQNW

08/26/2026

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) recently announced its new Bridge Program, an initiative designed to help remove critical barriers that can prevent commercial technologies from entering the defense market, including access to classified infrastructure, security clearances, technology accreditation and testing.

As part of the initiative, Charleston has been selected as one of the first U.S. markets for commercially owned and operated classified infrastructure, joining innovation hubs including Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh and San Francisco.

This marks another exciting step forward for the Charleston region’s defense economy and reinforces its role in advancing technologies that support our nation’s most critical missions.

🔗 Read more about the announcement:

The Bridge Program, part of the War Department's innovation unit developed to drive systemic reform as it seeks to supercharge the U.S. defense industrial base, is executing a targeted strategy to

08/25/2026

We kicked off the new fiscal year with our first Quarterly Investor Event at the Charleston RiverDogs! ⚾

CRDA investors gathered at The Joe for an evening of networking, regional updates, and a chance to hear directly from two companies bringing a significant new presence to the Charleston region.

A special thank you to Evan Bentley, Head of Finance at Red Metals, and Dustin Tupper, Co-founder & COO of Volare Boats, for sharing more about their companies, their investments in the region, and what drew them to Charleston.

These quarterly events are an important opportunity to bring our investor community together, strengthen connections, and give our partners a closer look at the companies and projects contributing to our region’s continued economic momentum!

08/24/2026

Looking for the numbers behind the Charleston region’s workforce? 📊 We’ve got the data.

From employment totals by industry and our expanded labor pool to unionization rates and more, CRDA’s Labor at a Glance data puts key regional workforce stats right at your fingertips.

Whether you’re building a presentation, making a business case or just need a reliable stat to back it up, start here.

💻 Explore the latest Charleston region stats: https://bit.ly/4igfxuj

08/21/2026

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has approved plans to proceed with a new Comprehensive Cancer Hospital in downtown Charleston, a proposed 600,000-square-foot facility representing an estimated $1.1 billion investment.

The 14-story hospital will support MUSC Hollings Cancer Center’s pursuit of National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, a distinction currently held by just 57 centers nationwide and one that would be a first for South Carolina.

Expected to open in 2030, the project joins a growing list of significant MUSC investments underway across the region, from expanded cancer care and research to new medical facilities and services.

Together, these investments continue to strengthen the Charleston region’s health care and life sciences ecosystem and expand access to advanced care, research and clinical innovation across South Carolina. 🏥🔬