Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Charleston Regional Development Alliance Helping businesses, entrepreneurs and talented people locate and expand in the greater Charleston metro area.

For three decades, Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) has helped catalyze long-term regional prosperity by attracting the world’s best companies, talent, and entrepreneurs. We’re a robust network of investors, staff, business, academic, and governmental partners committed to strengthening regional employment and building a base of high-value industries to strengthen the three-county region’s economy into the future.

Charleston’s food scene continues to earn national recognition, spotlighting the region as a standout destination for cu...
04/24/2026

Charleston’s food scene continues to earn national recognition, spotlighting the region as a standout destination for culinary talent, creativity, and experience. 🍽️✨

The James Beard Foundation has announced finalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards - and Charleston restaurants are leading the way:

• Merci - Best New Restaurant finalist
• Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop - Outstanding Bakery finalist

Also representing South Carolina: Joe Cash of Scoundrel, a finalist for Best Chef: Southeast.

📣 Have you dined at these spots yet? Drop your congrats (and your fave dish!) below. ⬇️

📸: Post & Courier

Charleston, let’s show up 💙🐢The South Carolina Aquarium is up for USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Awards Best Aquarium and ...
04/23/2026

Charleston, let’s show up 💙🐢

The South Carolina Aquarium is up for USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Awards Best Aquarium and if you’ve ever stood in front of that massive Great Ocean Tank… you already know it deserves it.

And beyond the wow factor, the work happening inside matters: the Sea Turtle Care Center is actively rescuing and rehabilitating turtles right here on our coast.

This is one of Charleston’s gems. Let’s help it get the recognition it deserves.

Vote at the link in comments 💙

Have a favorite exhibit or memory from your last visit? 🐟

📸: South Carolina Aquarium

Are you a Charleston-region employer hosting interns this summer? 🌴The Charleston Intern Network Series is back, offerin...
04/22/2026

Are you a Charleston-region employer hosting interns this summer? 🌴

The Charleston Intern Network Series is back, offering FREE professional development, networking, and curated experiences for your college-level interns.

Co-presented by CRDA and The Catalyst Foundation, this program helps elevate your internship experience while supporting talent retention across the region.

No intern details needed - just register your company's interest by May 1 and we’ll handle the rest.

Register Here: https://loom.ly/3c7ngqY

Did you know April is South Carolina Innovation Awareness Month? 💡It’s a statewide celebration of the ideas, talent, and...
04/21/2026

Did you know April is South Carolina Innovation Awareness Month? 💡

It’s a statewide celebration of the ideas, talent, and partnerships driving innovation across South Carolina and the Charleston region plays a big role in that story.

With strong connections between institutions like the Medical University of South Carolina, organizations like the South Carolina Research Authority, and a growing base of entrepreneurs and tech companies, this region creates the kind of environment where innovation can actually take shape.

It’s collaborative, it’s connected, and it’s built to support what’s next.

Innovation Awareness Month is a reminder of what’s happening here and why it continues to gain national attention.

Tag a Charleston-area entrepreneur, startup, or innovator you think more people should know 👇

South Carolina is continuing to invest in innovation - and the Charleston region is part of the momentum. 🚀The South Car...
04/20/2026

South Carolina is continuing to invest in innovation - and the Charleston region is part of the momentum. 🚀

The South Carolina Research Authority - SCRA has awarded new grant funding to startups across the state, including several in the Charleston region:

• Realize Ascent Labs
• Renoverse AI
• Algae Integration Utility Service

New SCRA members Clutch Intelligence and PostPixel also received funding this round. 💡

Early-stage support like this helps accelerate innovation across South Carolina while reinforcing the Charleston region’s role as a hub for emerging tech and talent.

Visit the link in comments to learn more ⬇️

Charleston’s waterfront continues to evolve 🌊The Cooper, the newest property from Beemok Hospitality Collection, officia...
04/17/2026

Charleston’s waterfront continues to evolve 🌊

The Cooper, the newest property from Beemok Hospitality Collection, officially opened March 30 - bringing luxury accommodations, dining, and wellness experiences to the downtown peninsula.

Projects like this strengthen Charleston’s global appeal, support local jobs, and add momentum to the city’s growing hospitality and tourism economy 📈

Positioned along the harbor, The Cooper offers a new way to experience Charleston - for visitors and locals alike.

Have you visited The Cooper yet? 👀 Drop your thoughts below!

Strong internships build stronger talent pipelines. 💪The Charleston Intern Network Series helps employers elevate their ...
04/16/2026

Strong internships build stronger talent pipelines. 💪

The Charleston Intern Network Series helps employers elevate their summer programs with FREE professional development, networking, and curated experiences for college interns across the region.

Programming will run June–July, with the full schedule coming soon.

Interested in registering your company?
➡️ Complete the Employer Interest Form by Friday, May 1: https://loom.ly/3c7ngqY

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry - and Charleston’s workforce is stepping up to meet the moment.Charl...
04/15/2026

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry - and Charleston’s workforce is stepping up to meet the moment.

Charleston Digital has announced an expanded AI curriculum through the Charleston Learning Center, designed to equip professionals across the region with practical, real-world skills.

What’s new:
➡️ A FREE Google AI Essentials Career Certificate, available to Tri-county residents through a community grant
➡️ A new AI workshop series, Collaborating with Agents, focused on applied learning - from reverse prompting to building multi-agent workflows
➡️ Continued development of advanced AI programming in partnership with industry experts

As AI adoption accelerates, access to hands-on, accessible education is critical to ensuring our region’s workforce remains competitive, adaptable, and future-ready.

Technology is accelerating - and South Carolina is feeling it from every angle.A recent SCBiz News analysis of SC’s tech...
04/13/2026

Technology is accelerating - and South Carolina is feeling it from every angle.

A recent SCBiz News analysis of SC’s tech sector highlights a clear inflection point: industries from advanced manufacturing to logistics and healthcare are becoming increasingly dependent on digital transformation, data, and AI.

With that momentum comes real challenges, from talent pipelines struggling to keep pace to the growing need for skills alignment and responsible AI adoption in a rapidly evolving landscape.

At the same time, the opportunity is significant. Applied technology - where innovation meets real-world impact - continues to gain traction across the region.

What are you seeing on the ground when it comes to talent, training, and technology adoption? Where are the biggest gaps - or opportunities?

👇 Would love to hear your perspective

Coming up soon: TEDxCharleston 2026 🎟️Now in its 14th year, this locally driven event continues to bring together ideas ...
04/10/2026

Coming up soon: TEDxCharleston 2026 🎟️

Now in its 14th year, this locally driven event continues to bring together ideas at the intersection of technology, culture, science, and innovation - highlighting the people and perspectives shaping the Charleston region.

This year’s theme, Symphony, explores how collaboration across disciplines fuels progress and creativity.

📅 April 29, 2026
📍 Charleston Music Hall
🎟️ Early bird pricing available through February 20

Events like TEDxCharleston play an important role in strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem - creating space for ideas to connect, evolve, and inspire. See you there!

Calling all Charleston-region small business owners! 🌴Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is now accepting app...
04/09/2026

Calling all Charleston-region small business owners! 🌴

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is now accepting applications for its first cohort in South Carolina. This no-cost program helps entrepreneurs gain practical business skills, access expert advisors, and build a powerful network of peers across the country.

The impact is real: 70% of alumni report revenue growth and 50% create new jobs within 18 months. 📈

As our region continues to scale, supporting small business leaders and expanding access to these kinds of resources will be key to sustaining long-term competitiveness.

👉 Interested in applying? Learn more and take the next step: https://loom.ly/s7ETFvk

The future of work isn’t just about jobs - it’s about skills. 💡Across industries, we’re seeing a shift toward roles that...
04/09/2026

The future of work isn’t just about jobs - it’s about skills. 💡

Across industries, we’re seeing a shift toward roles that blend technical knowledge with adaptability, communication, and problem-solving. The lines between sectors are blurring, and the most in-demand talent is often the most versatile.

For regions like Charleston, that raises an important question: how do we continue to build a workforce that’s not only qualified for today’s roles - but prepared for what’s next? 🚀

From education and training to employer partnerships and lifelong learning, it takes alignment across the ecosystem to get it right.

Sound off: what skills are you prioritizing on your team right now - or looking for in new hires?

👇 Join the conversation

Address

65 Fairchild Street, Ste 100
Charleston, SC
29492

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18437679300

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