A drone view of buildings in downtown Charleston, SC.

Locate & Expand

Considering a relocation or expansion to the U.S. East Coast? Explore the available sites, workforce development solutions, and industry collaboration ecosystems that make the Charleston region a strategic location for growth.

A Central Hub for Global Business and Innovation

With a fast-growing population, a technically skilled workforce, and direct access to the global marketplace, the Charleston region is built for companies ready to scale.

From startups to multinational corporations, businesses here benefit from collaborative industry ecosystems, university-backed research, and statewide incentives tied to job creation and capital investment. Across South Carolina, businesses benefit from tax incentives tied to job creation and no-cost workforce development programs that help protect the bottom line. Combined with leading port, air, and roadway infrastructure, the region supports dozens of company headquarters, more than 160+ international firms, and top-10 metro rankings for Foreign Direct Investment.

Charleston By The Numbers

$9.3 billion

Capital Investment Announced by New and Expanding Firms in the Charleston Metro Area in 2025

CRDA

~1/3

of U.S. Population Resides within 500 miles (800 kilometers) of the Charleston Region

#2

Best U.S. State to Do Business
(South Carolina)

Area Development, 2025

460,000

In Regional Civilian Labor Force

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

An aerial view of the Campus Hill industrial park in the Charleston region.

Site Search

Identify available Charleston commercial real estate, from shovel-ready industrial sites to Class A office space, with CRDA’s comprehensive and confidential site search support.

Search Available Sites & Properties

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Why Charleston

A fast-growing labor force, global connectivity, and collaborative industry ecosystems position the Charleston region as a strategic location for expansion and long-term growth.

See Why

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Taxes & Incentives

Charleston-region businesses benefit from South Carolina’s favorable tax policy and incentives, including top-ranked business incentive programs, HQ-focused support, and job tax credits for job creation.

Explore Benefits

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Workforce Development

We’re one of the top states in the nation for business and workforce alignment, powered by no-cost workforce training and apprenticeship programs that provide tax credits to employers.

Accelerate Hiring

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Transportation & Infrastructure

The Charleston region keeps freight and people moving with a world-class port and rail access, international flights, executive airports, and one of the highest-rated highway systems in the nation.

Keep Moving

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Startups & Entrepreneurs

Get plugged into a tight-knit startup community in the Charleston region, where mentorship, networking, and university-backed commercialization support are part of an entrepreneur’s everyday life.

Find Your Community

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International Business

More than 160 international companies operate in the region, supported by strong global trade infrastructure and industry leaders, including Volvo and Robert Bosch.

Grow Your Market Access