Charleston County Economic Development (CCED) brought together business leaders, elected officials, and community partners on Tuesday, January 13, for its annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon, recognizing the companies and individuals driving investment, innovation, and job creation across Charleston County. The event was held at Trident Technical College’s Complex for Economic Development.
In 2025, Charleston County announced 11 company expansions and investments totaling more than $146 million, resulting in 442 new jobs across the county.
The Industry Appreciation Luncheon is CCED’s signature annual event recognizing the collective impact of Charleston County’s business community while highlighting the region’s continued economic momentum. This year, attendees received updates from CCED’s Business Development Division and joined in honoring recipients of the Industry Impact Awards, Innovator of the Year, and Economic Development Ambassador Award.
The 2025 Industry Impact Award recipients (photos attached) included:
- Small Business: R2P Innovations
- Medium Business: Low Country Case and Millwork
- Large Business: KEEL
- Community Impact: Lowcountry Street Grocery
CCED also recognized QuicksortRX as Innovator of the Year for its leadership in pharmacy purchasing technology and its role in reshaping the financial landscape of American healthcare.
Robbie Lahmon was named the Economic Development Ambassador for his leadership in connecting Charleston County’s major employers with a diverse, skilled workforce. Through initiatives such as the USS Yorktown’s Operation Employment and large-scale hiring events for companies including Boeing and Mercedes-Benz Vans, Lahmon has helped create sustainable economic opportunities for residents across the region.
The luncheon featured a keynote address from Colonel Jason Parker, Commander of Joint Base Charleston, who emphasized the base’s role as a cornerstone of Charleston County’s modern economy. Parker highlighted how Joint Base Charleston supports thousands of military and civilian jobs while anchoring a broad ecosystem of defense, manufacturing, aviation, and technology employers throughout the region.
Following the keynote, CCED formally announced 2026 as the “Year of Defense.” The initiative underscores the department’s strategic focus on strengthening and elevating the defense sector—one of Charleston County’s most significant economic drivers and a cornerstone of the region’s long-term competitiveness.
“As I reflect on the past year, one word continues to come to mind: momentum,” said Merle Johnson, Executive Director of Charleston County Economic Development. “2025 was defined by continued confidence in Charleston County, with expansions from existing industries and growing interest across advanced manufacturing, life sciences, logistics, defense, and technology. These investments speak to the strength of our workforce, the reliability of our infrastructure, and the collaborative environment we work hard to foster between business, government, education, and community partners.”