Charleston in the News - May 2022
Boeing’s SC DreamLearners STEM-Education Program Hits Major Milestone!
Last month, the education program known as South Carolina DreamLearners and spearheaded by Boeing, reached the milestone of having 1 million participants. The STEM-based program, which began in 2012, exposes students to advanced manufacturing and aerodynamics. They learn to build drones and about robotics, programming and how to build planes. Geared primarily to meet the state’s Force and Motion standards for 5th-graders, students of all ages and across the state (via a virtual learning component) are able to participate. Speakers and site tours also inform students about Boeing’s operations and career opportunities. Read more here.
Charleston Area Home to Best Mixed-Use Community in the U.S.
The National Association of Home Builders recently awarded Nexton, a master-planned community located in Summerville, the Best in American Living Award for Best Mixed-Use Community in the Nation. This recognition was reiterated locally - and for the second time - by the Charleston Home Builders Association. Based on year-end 2021 home sales, it was one of the Top 30 master-planned communities and is now home to over 1,000 families. Among its recognized qualities are “its genuine sense of place and walkable ways”. Nexton offers a mix of places to live, shop, eat, play and work, coupled with a balance of nature and technology, with its park and trail system, amenities and fast Internet. Read more here and see what other awards Nexton has earned here.
Taking Care of Imports
Two of many local leaders in international trade making recent headlines are the SC Ports Authority and Walmart. The Ports Authority has achieved record cargo levels for 13 months in a row and imports are 16% higher than March 2021. This is notable, given the supply chain and labor supply challenges being faced by this sector, and is in large part due to the improvements being made by SC Ports with infrastructure development and operations. Walmart just celebrated the grand opening of its $220 million Import Distribution Center in Ridgeville in Dorchester County which will store and sort imported goods arriving in the Port of Charleston and then being delivered to 850 Walmart and Sam’s Clubs in the Southeast. At the event, General Manager Jeff Holzbauer cited South Carolina’s strengths: “South Carolina is home to some of the country’s most convenient and efficient modes of transportation, including the Port of Charleston and Interstates 26 and 95.” Also recognized were the County and State’s business friendly environment. Read more here and here.