Area Development magazine consistently ranks South Carolina as one of the top five states to do business in the nation.
South Carolina is home to some of the United States’ most diverse ecosystems and natural features. South Carolina is a haven for naturalists and outdoor recreationalists, alike. South Carolina business environment is no exception.
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Though coastal and temperate, South Carolina is just a two days’ drive from nearly 208 million Americans—that’s two-thirds of the US population. That number includes all major East Coast markets, plus Detroit, Chicago and Dallas.
The Port of Charleston has been at the center of global commerce and trade for three centuries. In addition to being one of the busiest container ports along the Southeast and Gulf coasts, it is also recognized as one of the most productive—averaging 40+ moves per hour, per crane—well above the US port standard of 25–27.
Each year, more than 20 different shipping lines serving 150 countries use South Carolina’s ports. Ideal for shipping, our deep water and high bridges allow the Port to serve ships of more than 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). In 2016, the Port handled 1.79 million TEUs.
You are within an hour’s drive of one of our four primary airports from anywhere in the state. To the north, it only takes a few hours’ drive to arrive at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the same is true to the west for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in central Georgia.
Seventy million tons of freight move through South Carolina each year thanks to our extensive rail services. Our expansive rail system includes two Class I railroads—CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern—as well as seven independent lines to service nearly 2,300 miles of rail.
Furthermore, Palmetto Railways operates three common carrier railroads: The Port Utilities Commission of Charleston (PUCC), the Port Terminal Railroad (PTR) and the East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad (ECBR).