Rebuilding a company By Dan McCue Tax breaks, a favorable political climate in the City of North Charleston and the opportunity to forge a unique partnership in a high-profile location all played a significant part in American LaFrance’s decision to remain in the Lowcountry after it moves from its present location in the Palmetto Commerce Park this time next year.
Angelou Report year one: Moving ahead or forgotten? By Dan McCue Just over 12 months have elapsed since it was formally unveiled by a group of Texas-based consultants, and already it’s name has become a kind of touchstone in almost any conversation that takes a left-hand turn into the region’s economic development landscape.
Workforce burdened with eldercare By Kathleen Dayton The population is aging, more retirees are moving to South Carolina and businesses need to prepare for dramatically changing demographics.
When talking alternative fuels, don’t forget renewables By Bob Bouyea With gasoline prices hovering above $2.50 a gallon in the Lowcountry, the search for alternative fuels is on the lips of every politician and state official. But to some extent, “alternative fuel” has become nothing more than a buzzword.
Sales tax increases may not pave way for road projects By Jessica Johnson Voter-approved measures to improve transportation in Charleston and Dorchester counties may come up short of crossing every transportation need from the original lists.
Port security a standing-room-only event at Trade Conference By Dan McCue The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, overwhelmingly endorsed in the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaiting Senate approval, doesn’t require most of the security measures bandied about in the press during the Dubai Ports imbroglio.
Colbert wows S.C. international trade conference By Dan McCue Much of the talk at the 33rd annual South Carolina International Trade Conference, held here in Charleston on May 22-24, centered on cargo logistics, globalization, transportation security and the future of the ocean carrier industry.
Missing the point of Angelou By Dan McCue Dr. John E. Clarkin, director of the College of Charleston Tate Center for Entrepreneurship, describes the Angelou Report as an “interesting read” that gave those engaged in the economic development of the region important rallying points.
Entrepreneur-friendly business climate? By Dan McCue Creating a business climate friendly for entrepreneurs is an important component of the Angelou Report. The reality, however, is that very few businesses can get started on their own.
Summerville publisher cooks up 19 city dining guides By Dennis Quick Across the nation, tourists, local diners, restaurant reviewers and food editors apparently have found a tasty information source in Summerville-based Food Frenzy.
‘Let’s get back to the basics’ is garbage By Jeffrey Gitomre Most everyone in leadership, at some point or another, wants their people to get back to the basics. Why?
Caucuses should always err on the side of sunshine By Andy Brack If anybody understands the importance of politicians strategizing in private about what they’re going to do, it’s Attorney General Henry McMaster, former chairman of the state Republican Party.
Local family copes with rigors of care-giving By Kathleen Dayton Tracey Powers’ life is like a sandwich. At 43, she’s caught in the middle between her children, her career and her one remaining parent, her 78-year-old mother, who suffered a stroke in 2004 that left the right side of her body paralyzed.
Foundation launches $30 million ecosystem renewal By Dennis Quick The 160-acre Noisette Creek Preserve near the old Navy base in North Charleston has long been neglected, after suffering decades of environmental degradation stemming from filling, utility and road-crossing construction, erosion and contaminants in runoff.
Forum, portal to forge new SPAWAR relationships By Dan McCue Standing at the front of a crowded room at the North Charleston convention center, Barbara Hennessey, of Command Decisions Systems & Solutions Inc., tells the story of the small, high-tech company for which she works.
Local contractors wary of what’s ‘under’ construction By Shelia Watson Construction typically signifies the production of something new and contemporary. It suggests progress and development, an appeal for the modern.
Future of King’s Grant golf course still uncertain By Jessica Johnson A majority of King’s Grant residents have agreed to negotiate with the new owner of the community’s amenities, rather than continuing a court battle.
‘Building automation’ gets customers in comfort zone By Shelia Watson Southeast Integration Services can be described as truly successful: The eight-year-old company is expanding, with branches soon to open in Greenville , S.C., and Charlotte, N.C.
CSU: Developable sites seen as lands of opportunity By Dan McCue
Standing before an artist’s rendering of the new American LaFrance facilities about to rise on land owned by Charleston Southern University, Jairy C. Hunter Jr. exuded both a sense of pride and a modicum of fatigue as he talked about the surge of business development at what had once been the Lowcountry’s least-developed Interstate 26 interchange.
Patriarch Partners puts dollars where its heart is By Dan McCue Has American LaFrance finally stepped back from the precipice? For years, the local emergency vehicle manufacturer has been talked about as if it were in need of an industrial hospice, but its fortunes appear to have turned a corner since being acquired by Patriarch Partners, a New York-based investment company.
Seabrook on verge of $31M capital improvement plan By Dennis Quick If Seabrook Island residents and property owners approve an island referendum this month, Seabrook will undergo a $31 million transformation to meet the needs of the growing and changing island community, whose residents increasingly are young families with children.
Locals, tourists paint bright future for art galleries By Kathleen Dayton While visitors are drawn to horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district and boat rides to Fort Sumter, Charleston is being discovered as a fine art mecca, and some visitors would sooner take home a $5,000 painting than a T-shirt.
Outline the market for your new business By Ted Albenesius If you are thinking about starting a business, you have probably dreamed of one that evolves around your interests. But while you may know your own dreams, what does the market need or want?
Television ad buying changes with times By David L. Rawle While television advertising is still the best way to reach a mass audience, viewing patterns have changed dramatically over the past several years. Now, with some innovations of its own, the industry is making significant efforts to adapt to those changes.
Reduce turnover with a ‘no compromise’ staffing policy By Wayne Outlaw Losing an employee, especially a valuable manager, is never easy. If the individual is a high performer, there is the obvious loss of productivity and capability in the organization.
Recognize opportunities to enhance your luck By Barbara Poole If you do a Web search on the word “luck,” you will come up with everything from magic spells to sociology projects to several rock bands whose pages look like they must play some serious head-banger music. One site I found guarantees that you will turn your life around if you order their lucky charms.
