Hi friends,

There’s a lot happening in the Charleston economy right now, and I always say what happens around us impacts our real estate market. So here’s what’s going on behind the scenes that’s worth paying attention to.

Frontier Airlines just announced new nonstop flights from Charleston to Dallas Fort Worth starting October 9. BermudAir is also doubling its service to Bermuda starting August 2, shifting from once a week to twice a week through October. Our airport is keeping up with the growth too—Charleston International just broke ground on a $105 million expansion that adds over 40,000 square feet, four new gates, new food and retail options, and bigger waiting areas. That kind of investment says a lot about where this region is headed.

Up in North Charleston, Gulf Air placed a big order for 12 Boeing 787s, which helps support 30,000 jobs nationwide and gives a boost to local production. Volvo is expanding too—the Ridgeville plant is adding the XC60, their most popular SUV in the U.S., to the production line. That’s on top of the new EX90 electric vehicle. XC60 sales are already up nearly 23% this year, and Volvo has now invested $1.3 billion into their SC facility.

Moncks Corner just got a national shoutout—Camp Hall Commerce Park was named the #1 industrial park in the country by Business Facilities Magazine. The current impact? $3.8 billion statewide and $3.4 billion in the Charleston region. By 2035, it’s projected to generate more than $7 billion for the local economy.

Some other headlines worth noting: Ronald McDonald House Charities is building a five-story expansion in Charleston to triple their capacity for families in medical crisis. On the defense side, Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic has pumped $2.1 billion into South Carolina’s economy, mostly in the Lowcountry. They’ve created nearly 8,000 jobs in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties. Virginia-based Davis Defense Group is also expanding their operations here, adding 30 jobs in North Charleston.

The Charleston area is growing in all the right ways. More jobs, more investment, more demand—and that’s always good news for real estate. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just stay informed, I’ve got my eye on the big picture so you don’t have to.

~Roni