Charleston, SC Economic Development


Building High Value Business Clusters

On April 13, 2005, Austin-based economic development consultants Angelou Economics presented recommendations for building high value business clusters in the Charleston region. This effort is aimed at building an economy that benefits all businesses, residents and families.
  • More than 750 business, education and community leaders from throughout the region participated in focus groups, interviews and surveys.
  • The project included an extensive analysis of the region's demographics, workforce skills, existing industries and business assets.
  • Angelou Economics identified five target industry sectors that match our region's strengths and future vision.
Target Cluster Niche Sectors Supporting Operations
Advanced Security Port-related container tracking & surveillance
Security & intelligence software
Advanced sensor technologies
Biometrics & optical monitoring devices
Computer / network security 		R&D
Manufacturing
Logistics & Distribution
Software & IT
Back Office
Aerospace & Aviation Commercial aircraft parts manufacturing
Civilian / personal aircraft OEM manufacturers
Industrial machinery to support aircraft mfg.
Advanced composite materials 		R&D
Manufacturing
Logistics & Distribution
Software & IT
Automotive International OEMs without current US presence
OEM to manufacture hybrid or clean diesel autos
Forged / precision machine shops
Fabricated metal parts
Automotive component suppliers 		R&D
Manufacturing
Logistics & Distribution
Software & IT
Biosciences Contract research
Clinical testing services
Contract biomanufacturing
Agribusiness
Aquaculture / marine biomedicine
Bioinformatics / biometrics 		R&D
Manufacturing
Software & IT
Digital Media & Design Film & visual media production
Digital media content creation
Graphic arts & multi-media 		Back Office
Software & IT
Urban Design & Restoration

Historic preservation
Architecture & building design

Restoration ecology

R&D

Back Office
Software & IT



Research & Reports

Download one of the following 2005 reports by Angelou Economics:

Executive Summary (pdf) - provides the top-line analysis and recommendations in a pdf format

Executive Summary (Power Point) - provides the top-line analysis and recommendations as a Power Point presentation

Regional Economic Scan (pdf) - summarizes the region's current economic strengths and challenges (workforce & education, sites & infrastructure, business climate & quality of life)

Full Cluster / Target Industry Analysis (pdf) - provides detailed information about clusters of industry throughout the region, the process for selecting final industry targets, and recommendations for building and nurturing each target

Marketing & Product Improvement Recommendations (pdf) - provides priority product improvement recommendations as well as strategies for marketing the region to the five target industries

Biosciences Cluster Analysis (pdf) - subset of the full report focused on the biosciences industry

Aerospace Cluster Analysis (pdf) - subset of the full report focused on the aerospace industry

Automotive Cluster Analysis (pdf) - subset of the full report focused on the automotive industry

Advanced Security Cluster Analysis (pdf) - subset of the full report focused on the advanced security industry

Creative Industries Cluster Analysis (pdf) - subset of the full report focused on the creative industries