02.13.2024

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Today’s Forecast

Charleston’s top industries and employers

The top industries and employers in the Charleston metro area

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Which industry do you work in? | Photo by @donniewhitaker

More than 400,000 people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Charleston region’s ~$45+ billion gross regional product. But have you ever wondered about the Holy City’s heaviest hitters?

Consider this Charleston Business 101 — your guide to five of our region’s key industries and major employers.

Note: When we say Charleston region, that refers to the Tricounty (Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties).

The key industries

Five key industries represent ~76% of the Charleston region’s economy, based on data from the Charleston Regional Data Center. We’ve listed them in order of employment numbers.

A boat on the water. — South Carolina’s ports provide the state with a unique economic advantage.
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Photo provided by SC Ports

Trade, transportation, and utilities | 66,000+ employees

This industry cluster includes the transportation of people, the movement of goods, and water and power services. The Port of Charleston, for example, offers the deepest harbor in the South Atlantic and provides global access to 150+ countries.

Government | 62,000+ employees

The military, public schools, and public hospitals make up a large portion of the regional workforce. Charleston has a significant military presence in particular with a $12.7 billion economic impact.

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
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Photo provided by MUSC.

The major players

Now that we’ve established the major industries, we bet you’re curious about specific names. Whether you’re job hunting (or just “casually prospecting”), here are five major employers — all that employ more than 5,000 workers.

Joint Base Charleston

20,000+ employees | Military | Search jobs

Joint Base Charleston spans three seaports, two civilian-military airfields, 39 miles of rail, and 22 miles of coastline. The mission includes installation support, airlift, and airdrop operations, and training naval nuclear operators.

Medical University of South Carolina

15,000+ employees | Health care | Search jobs

MUSC is the oldest medical school in the South and is SC’s only integrated academic health sciences center serving the state through education, research, and patient care. Patient care is provided at over a dozen hospitals with ~2,500 beds and more than 350 telehealth sites.

More on the big players

Asked

Which industry do you currently work in or are most interested in?

A. Retail
B. Hospitality
C. Entertainment
D. Marketing/ Advertising

Answer here

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Maybank Mardis Gras | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 6 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy., Charleston | $10-$20 | Enjoy an evening of live music featuring Mike Quinn and Friend play the Meters on the main stage and Ward’s 9th Brass Band on the deck stage.

Wednesday, Feb. 14

“A Celebration of Love” | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | The Historic Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St., Charleston | $45-$250 | Join HALO and a star-studded cast for this interactive, design-it-yourself musical event this Valentine’s Day.
Love is Blind Cocktail Experience | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 7-9 p.m. | New Realm Brewing, 880s Island Park Dr., Charleston | $30 | Get ready for a night of blindfolded mixology, where love and cocktails collide in a sensory experience like no other.

Thursday, Feb. 15

Winter Tree Identification | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 1-3 p.m. | Palmetto Islands County Park, 444 Needlerush Pkwy., Mount Pleasant | $9 | Through the use of dichotomous keys, helpful instruction, and your powers of observation, learn more about twigs, buds, and bark.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Eat

Fleet Landing, Charleston’s waterfront seafood eatery, has reopened and is ready to debut its new raw bar after being closed for renovations for five and a half weeks. See the team’s message.

Sports

The Credit One Charleston Open, which returns March 30-April 7, announced new attendee experiences. There will be pickleball and padel experiences, food options from The Charleston Grill, 167 Raw, and Sorelle, live music, talk shows, and other events throughout the nine-day tournament.

Concert

Joe Bonamassa, blues rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, will perform at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 16.

Outdoors

Hamlin Park Trail in Mount Pleasant will be closed temporarily for repairs. At this time, there is no estimated timeline for the closure. Stay updated with Mount Pleasant Public Services.

Plan Ahead

The 2024 Charleston Show: Antiques, Art, Design will be held at Festival Hall on March 22-24. Thirty exhibitors from the US and Europe will showcase items like mid-century furniture, traditional + contemporary art, ceramics, and more. Tickets start at $17.

Shop

Still looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift? Family-owned Zinnia is offering a sparkling sale on all Charles Albert Jewelry through Feb. 14 at Belle Hall shopping center. Buy any item from the one-of-a-kind collection and receive 25% off your second piece of jewelry.*

Drink

Say high to a new beverage experience. Rebel Rabbit’s non-alcoholic, Delta 9-infused seltzer offers a new option for the sober curious or anyone looking for an alternative to traditional alcohol offerings. Crack open a good time, Charleston.*†

Holiday

A reminder that tomorrow, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. Sending flowers? Shop bouquets at Tiger Lily Florist, or get one of 1-800-Flowers’ Valentine’s Day bouquets delivered to that special someone.*

† Please note: Rebel Rabbit advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CHStoday.

Fitness

Feel the burn

ACE, Charleston’s only fitness studio with a sprung floor will open downtown next month

individuals work out with dance fitness in a green space

Dance it out with ACE. | Photo provided by ACE

Downtown Charleston will soon have a new fitness-based studio. ACE (the Anneclaire Experience), will be the Holy City’s only fitness studio with a sprung floor. It will open at 695 Meeting St. on Monday, March 11.

The studio

The studio will use dance to sculpt which challenges muscles to inspire a strong mind-body connection. Various experiences will incorporate weights, resistance bands, and dance cardio for personalized + individualized workouts.

The founder

Before the studio, Anneclaire Nelson offered her dance-based techniques through a private Sullivan’s Island studio + pop-ups around town at venues like The Charleston Place and The Dance Space. Nelson is originally from Greenville, has over 20 years of experience as a dancer, and has worked as a trainer for celebrities — think Jennifer Lopez, Robert Downey Jr., and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Ready to connect your mind and body? Check out the schedule and follow along on Instagram.

The Buy

The Buy 2.13.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This margarita mixers bundle, since National Margarita Day is coming up on Thursday, February 22 and we’re trying to be as prepared as possible, thank you very much. Get four margarita flavors to play with including “Simple Margarita” and “Blood Orange Margarita.”

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Erika

From the editor

I came across this cool picture of the Ravenel Bridge surrounded by thick fog and thought I’d share. Have a great Tuesday, everyone.

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