Page 43 - Summerville NCG 2018

KION North America Corporation

Business & Industry

Out of Dorchester County’s growing population,

more than 71,000 people make up the skilled labor
force, not including a large pool from the surrounding
areas. Access to local higher education institutions
Business is Booming in Summerville & Dorchester County and workforce development training programs makes
B usinesses thrive through cooperation and Business Climate qualified workforces in the state. In Summerville
Dorchester County’s one of the most educated and

alone, more than 35 percent of the population have

synergy in Summerville and Dorchester

Dorchester County offers qualifying industries the
County. For example, KION North America
– one of Dorchester County’s larger employers – is one following advantages: With a current population of
• Annual tax credit of up to $2,500 per employee;

of the world’s largest suppliers of industrial forklifts, • No inventory tax, unitary tax, or wholesale tax; more than 153,000 people, the
trucks, and tow tractors. KION recently received a • Exemption from sales tax on industrial
contract to provide lithium-ion powered forklifts – machinery, electricity, fuel, water, and sewer; county’s population has grown by
manufactured in Summerville and said to be 30 percent • State-funded worker training and incentive
more energy efficient than battery-powered models – programs; and a significant 12.6 percent in the last
that the new Volvo Car • “Class-A” industrial parks, available buildings, and
US Operations manufacturing plant, five miles numerous shovel-ready sites. seven years, which is 4 percent more
away in neighboring Ridgeville, will use in its than the growth of the state.
production process. Population & Workforce
It is such synergies as this that are fueling growth Summerville and Dorchester County are some
in Summerville and Dorchester County, along with a of the fastest growing areas in the state. In fact, a bachelor’s degree or higher, with nearly 90 percent
substantial and fast-growing population, a vast and Dorchester County, along with nearby Berkeley and having a high school diploma and some college
easily accessible transportation network, an educated Charleston counties, are welcoming 50 new residents experience, both of which are well above the state
and skilled labor force, and a variety of business into the area each day, and the influx is expected to percentages. Several universities in the area offer
incentives. And when industry thrives, it boosts the be a three-year trend. The results: nearly 55,000 new associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, and Trident
overall quality of life for everyone here. residents by 2019. Technical College presents continuing education

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