INVESTOR UPDATE JUNE 2014
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.CHARLESTONCHAMBER.NET OR CALL 843.577.2510
DRIVING GROWTH. Becoming a world-class metropolitan region. CONTENTS Letter from Leadership
1
Innovation 2 Talent 4 Advocacy 6 AGC Investors
8
4500 Leeds Avenue, Suite 100 North Charleston, SC 29405 www.charlestonchamber.net p: 843.577.2510
Dear Accelerate Greater Charleston Partner: June 2014 marks the halfway point in our five-year Accelerate Greater Charleston campaign to ensure a prosperous future for the Charleston region. We are proud to see the ongoing developments and achievements across multiple avenues and are buoyed by the continued support we receive from you, our partners. In this quarterly update, you will see an enlightening parallel exists throughout the advancement efforts, talent - its development, assimilation and positioning. The work accomplished and results being experienced in our AGC areas of Innovation, Talent and Advocacy are all centered on readying highly skilled current and future employees to drive innovation and productivity in our region. Training companies to excel in exporting and mastering global commerce is what World Trade Center Charleston (WTCC) is doing to meet our Metro Charleston Export Plan objectives. Career Academies are enabling high school students to develop specific work ready knowledge and abilities that will make them immediately valuable to employers upon securing their first-time jobs. Twelve recent high school graduates will further their education with AGC’s scholarships to Trident Technical College. And we continue to press forward with a targeted strategy to assure that the talent demanded by our regional employers is both understood and met by our area’s higher education institutions. We hope you enjoy reading about these robust, tangible accomplishments being made using dollars contributed to Accelerate Greater Charleston. Through your partnership and support, we are truly shaping the future of the region in ways that businesses, employees and the general public will benefit for decades to come. Respectfully yours,
Christopher B. Fraser 2014 Chairman of the Board Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Bryan S. Derreberry President and CEO Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
1
INNOVATE TO CATALYZE DYNAMIC AND FAST-PACED BUSINESS SUCCESS Building a thriving export economy to secure our region on the global commerce stage is made possible through Accelerate Greater Charleston. Intensive Export Training Underway Three of the most significant strategies of the Metro Charleston Export Plan are to a) increase Charleston’s export intensity; b) grow the number and capacity of exporters; and c) coordinate delivery of export services. To this end, World Trade Center Charleston has begun intensive export training of local companies who are either first time exporters or are interested in expanding their export markets. A training team has been established, comprised of a local export consultant and representatives from the U.S. Commercial Service and the Small Business Development Center. The training program includes the identification of international markets for specific goods or services, and understanding regulations and methodologies for exporting to those markets. Additional training for companies dealing in military/defense products covers International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Companies being trained are also provided a coach to help develop and execute a customized export plan. A total of 12 businesses will receive intensive export training in 2014. Five companies have completed the training thus far: UEC Electronics – provides product design and development, rapid prototyping and comprehensive manufacturing services to military, aerospace and industrial customers specializing in electronic/electro-mechanical systems Streit USA Armoring – manufacturer of armored vehicles for military, law enforcement and commercial customers Striped Pig Distillery – South Carolina’s first micro-distillery since Prohibition, producing handcrafted rums, “moonshine” whiskeys and vodka – using local farmers for heirloom grains and fruits GEL Group – specializes in analytical services, environmental engineering and monitoring, and geophysical services TIGHITCO – designs and fabricates engineered components for aerospace and industrial applications, from prototype capabilities to high volume products (Received ITAR training only)
2
“We are incredibly fortunate to be included in the Chamber’s export training program. We receive interest in our products from international markets, however; we have been unable to respond due to lack of knowledge of the international sales process and compliance requirements. We are extremely impressed with the Chamber’s targeted and comprehensive training, as well as the high caliber resources that will be available to assist us in this venture.”
- Rebecca A. Ufkes, President of UEC Electronics
WTCC Partnership with Export-Import Bank of the U.S. To further facilitate international trade, World Trade Center Charleston (WTCC) has been accepted as a City/State Marketing Partner of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). One of only three such partnerships in South Carolina, WTCC is now able to connect companies with export financing opportunities. This is a valuable resource for small and mid-sized companies needing immediate cash infusion to increase inventories or production to complete an international sale, or for those unable to secure traditional funding due to lack of adequate international trade history. To learn how to best utilize this resource, the Chamber’s WTCC Executive Director completed training at the Ex-Im Bank in Washington D.C. An Export Finance Seminar will be conducted in Charleston for local small and mid-sized companies interested in exporting their products and services, hosted by World Trade Center Charleston and the Ex-Im Bank’s Director of City/State Partners. The seminar will be held in June. Securing this partnership to extend financial access and services to local companies provides fuel to the Chamber’s work to increase the region’s global output.
3
TALENT FUELS SPEED TO IMPLEMENTATION AND ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY Accelerate Greater Charleston works to provide our region’s employers with a highly skilled, work ready talent pool. Career Academy Expansion Aggressive expansion efforts are underway, throughout the region, to increase Career Academies in area high schools for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. School districts in Berkeley County and Dorchester District Two will expand from seven to 21 academies with more than 100 academy business partners working with educators to provide career-based knowledge and skills which positively impact graduation rates. High-demand employee fields, as identified by local employers, include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Career Academies are focused on these fields, along with health sciences, culinary arts/ hospitality and business management. In addition to the academies, a High School Apprenticeship Program in industrial maintenance has been launched for rising high school juniors to gain dual accreditation and paid summer internships this fall. Made available through Trident Technical College, the apprenticeship is modeled after San Antonio, Texas’ nationally recognized Alamo Academies. Learning Through Career Academies Unlike vocational programs of years past, Career Academies allow students to learn all major subjects through the application of the projects related to the career. Here is one example of students’ Career Academy experiences: Local company AECOM is an Academy Partner of Goose Creek High School. Their Liberty Park Project was a three-month interdisciplinary project, an example of Project-Based Learning – one of the tenets of the Career Academy model. The school’s Mechatronics class worked to plan and build a public park on their campus. Students spoke with professionals from AECOM about size, zoning, drainage and surveying. They studied the campus’ existing pond in their biology class. They worked out elevations and angles in their math class. They used their English class to prepare a presentation for the zoning board and write letters to dignitaries. The team of teachers said this one project helped students see the relevancy of teamwork and collaboration. They reported that the students were authentically learning about the real world of work and practicing 21st century workforce skills. Students felt empowered when they heard AECOM say that the process used to plan Liberty Park was exactly the same process AECOM uses daily to conduct its business.
4
Scholarships Awarded for Trident Technical College Twelve deserving high school students have been awarded scholarships to attend Trident Tech in pursuit of two-year degrees in high-demand employee fields (STEM, culinary arts/hospitality, health sciences). The AGC-funded scholarships granted in May, 2014, exemplify the difference being made throughout the region for a successful tomorrow. Scholarship recipients are: Student School Major David Chernomas Ricky Conner Thurman Evans Christopher Golden Michael Harrawood Robert Preston Henley Faith Huff Adonis Liranzo Derek Mason Ashley Rembert Travis Sheheane Frank Wilson
Goose Creek High School Timberland High School Ft. Dorchester High School Timberland High School Goose Creek High School Goose Creek High School Ft. Dorchester High School Goose Creek High School Goose Creek High School Timberland High School Goose Creek High School Goose Creek High School
Mechanical Engineering Technology Electrical Line Worker Culinary Arts Technology Electrical Line Worker Electrical Line Worker Avionics Maintenance Technology Culinary Arts Technology Mechanical Engineering Technology Electrical Line Worker Nursing Civil Engineering Technology Civil Engineering Technology
Only two of the students have parents who possess some college experience. Ten are the first in their family to attend college. Each student has a special story to tell about their educational experience thus far and their dreams for the future despite obstacles they face. We hope you enjoy learning a bit more about two of them. Adonis Liranzo
Robert Preston Henley
ADVOCACY IS CENTRAL TO ADVANCING OUR REGION’S PROSPERITY Accelerate Greater Charleston’s advocacy efforts are designed to guarantee our region’s sustainable and prosperous growth.
Toward Charleston’s Comprehensive Research University Chamber advocacy efforts including testimony and active lobbying at the State House, continue to concentrate heavily on the Charleston University Act, a bill to establish expansion of the University of Charleston to offer post graduate programs and degrees needed by the region’s businesses. The bill designating Charleston University as a R1 research university continues to move through the General Assembly after Senate Higher Education Subcommittee unanimously approved recommending the bill to the Senate Education Committee. As South Carolina’s 2014 legislative session adjourned on June 5, the Charleston University Act, as part of the Clemson University Enterprise Act, was referred to a conference committee after the Senate non-concurred with House amendments. While progress for this legislation has been achieved during spring 2014, the process has been a lengthy one. Discussions of much needed higher education degree offerings in the area have taken place for decades. In 2013, a series of meetings and discussions with key leaders in the Charleston region began on how to expand graduate degree offerings. Along with the College of Charleston and Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is a leader in these discussions and represents all private sector employers. In February, 2014, Representatives Jim Merrill and Leon Stavrinakis filed the Charleston University Act – H.4632. Coinciding with this, the Chamber launched a PR and communications campaign to raise awareness and support for the development of a regional research university. The campaign, Degrees of Change, provided information and steps needed to support legislative efforts through print and digital advertising, earned media and grass roots efforts. In March, the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman announced the creation of an ad hoc committee to discuss the Charleston University Act. After a month of meetings and discussion, a revised version of the bill passed out of the ad hoc committee. The revised legislation removed all language proposing a possible merger between the College of Charleston and MUSC. Essentially, it was reworked to allow for the creation of a research university at the existing University of Charleston. On May 1, with a third reading in the House, the Charleston University Act successfully crossed over to the Senate where it began its consideration process in that chamber.
6
Talent Demand Analysis A Talent Demand Analysis study conducted for the Chamber by Avalanche Consulting and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning was completed in June 2014. The study examines the regions projected job growth over the next five years, the occupational requirements for each job and the existing educational resources in the community to develop the needed employee pipeline to support job growth. Additionally, the study looked at the region’s targeted industry clusters and the educational landscape versus other Metro areas whom we compete against. The consultants examined not just the higher education landscape in the community but also how the region’s four public school districts are preparing students for the economy. The study found that the region has shortages in computer software/IT, Engineering, Production and Associate’s degrees in the Medical field and identified specific gaps in high school programs, certificate and associate degrees and undergraduate and graduate level higher education. The strategies and recommendations indicate ways that the region can increase communication on career opportunities, enhance collaboration among those with a stake in local talent development and underscore modified and new program content development. One of the key recommendations is for the region to build upon “the stunning success” of the pilot year for the Career Academies and to continue to expand the efforts among area high schools with an emphasis on academies in STEM and Information Technology. Another recommendation is for development of advanced degrees in Supply Chain Management and Logistics – a program that is targeted for development through the expansion of Charleston University. The final recommendation is the need to develop and implement a Career Awareness Campaign in the community that includes both opportunities for learning and career planning to help educate all residents to the specific job opportunities within the region.
7
THANK YOU AGC INVESTORS Abi Angel
Colin Ross
Adams Outdoor Advertising
Cooper River Partners
AECOM
CresCom Bank
ALCOA Mt. Holly
Daimler Vans Manufacturing LLC
Anderson Insurance Associates LLC
Dale Carnegie Training of SC LLC
Avison Young
Daniel Island Company, Inc.
Baker Motor Company
Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Dunhill Staffing Systems
BB&T
East Cooper Medical Center
Benefitfocus.com, Inc.
Elliott Davis LLC
Bently World Packaging
First Federal
BERCHTOLD Corp.
Francis Marion Hotel
Cady Nell West
Go To Team
CB Richard Ellis Carmody
Greg Barrett
CC&T Real Estate Services
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd PA
CCCS International
Hendrick Automotive Group of Charleston
Chad Woods
Island Realty
Charleston Branch Pilots Association
Jay Werth
Charleston County
Jessica Jackson
Charleston Defense Contractors Association
John Osborne
Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority
8
John Rizzo Johnson Controls
Charleston Water System
Jules Deas III
Chernoff Newman
K&L Gates LLP
Choate Construction Company
KapStone Charleston Kraft LLC
City of Charleston
Laura Alberts Tasteful Options
City of North Charleston
Life Cycle Engineering
Clawson and Staubes, LLC
Limehouse Produce Co.
Lowcountry Residential Builders LLC
Scientific Research Corporation
LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD
SCRA
Maverick Southern Kitchens
Seamon Whiteside + Associates
Maybank Properties LLC
Seidler & Associates LLC
McKesson Corporation
Showa Denko Carbon, Inc.
McRae Hamer
Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP
Medical University of South Carolina
Solvay
Meridian Energy & Environment LLC
South Carolina Aquarium
Moody CPA’s & Advisors LLC
South Carolina Bank and Trust
Mount Pleasant Waterworks
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Mungo Homes
South Carolina Ports Authority
MWV
SteelFab of South Carolina
NAI Avant
Stubbs-Muldrow-Herin Architects, Inc.
Nexsen Pruet LLC
SunTrust Bank
Nucor Steel
TD Bank
O.L. Thompson Construction Co.
The Beach Company
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart
The Boeing Company
Pegasus Steel Premier Logistics Solutions PURE Rawle Murdy Residence Inn by Marriott - Charleston Riverview
The InterTech Group Inc. The Post and Courier Town of Mount Pleasant Trident Health Trident Technical College WebsterRogers LLP
Richard Guerzon
Wells Fargo
Robert Bosch Corp.
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLC
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Young Clement Rivers LLP
Santee Cooper SCE&G
9
Thank you for reviewing this Accelerate Greater Charleston Investor Update and for your ongoing support of our region’s metro advancement plan.
P.O. Box 975 Charleston, SC 29402-0975 www.charlestonchamber.net