Officials hope that a new collaboration between the Town of Goose Creek and Lowcountry Local First will result in localized business training, workforce development and economic development.

Goose Creek City Council has approved a two-year partnership with Lowcountry Local First, which will leverage existing business resources and industry expertise to grow the local economy and promote Goose Creek as a strong community for business success. The partnership will officially begin in early 2022, according to a press release from the city.

Lowcountry Local First is a Charleston-based nonprofit organization that provides resources and encourages support to local businesses.

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with the Town of Goose Creek to undertake highly visible and transformational projects,” said Jacquie Berger, Executive Director of Lowcountry Local First, in the statement. “From attracting new businesses to supporting emerging business entrepreneurs, this work will create community wealth and improve the quality of life for residents of Goose Creek now and for years to come.”

The incentives for the effort include a two-year hands-on partner training in business planning and management for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs. Each cohort will be made up of at least 70 percent low-income participants. One cohort will be delivered in English and one in Spanish. Graduates will benefit from one year of access to more Lowcountry Local First resources.

“These are the types of transformative partnerships that we are always looking for in the City,” Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib said in the press release. “We are excited about the possibilities of this collaboration and look forward to launching it. Look for great things from this partnership and our business community over the coming year. “

For more information on Lowcountry Local First, visit their website at lowcountrylocalfirst.org.

Opening of a cigar store in Moncks Corner

Moncks Corner Mayor Michael Lockliear joined the groundbreaking ceremony for a mobile business that now includes a brick and mortar site.

Luxe is a mobile cigar lounge and concierge service, and its new site is located on the right side of the square at 415 Corner Square in Moncks Corner. Luxe offers services for weddings, golf tournaments, birthdays and tailgates.

The ribbon cutting for Luxe Cigar Lounge in Corner Square took place on December 8th. In addition to owner King Hollywood, attendees also included advisers Dewayne Kitts and David Dennis.

Welcome group welcomed

The Welcome Group, a Houston-based single-tenant real estate developer specializing in manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse and distribution facilities, acquired its first industrial property in South Carolina from Moncks Corner, as part of the ” business expansion into the state and other growth markets throughout the Southeastern United States

Located on 31 acres at 2550 US Highway 52, the 201,500 square foot manufacturing and distribution center is home to Sea Fox Boats, third generation boat builders specializing in the design and development of center console pleasure boats.

“When it comes to the industrial market, the Charleston area is one of the hottest in the Southeast,” said Ted Kakambouras, Acquisitions Director, Southeast Region at Welcome Group, in a couriered statement. electronic. “It ticks all the boxes – great demographics, job growth, cost of doing business and one of the best ports in the country. “

South Carolina ranked sixth among all U.S. states in Site Selection Magazine’s 2021 list of the best states for business.

Kakambouras adds that Welcome Group will continue to seek opportunities to acquire existing occupied properties in South Carolina in addition to North Carolina and Georgia.

Welcome Group now has a diversified portfolio of 126 industrial properties covering over 6 million square feet. Tenants range from Fortune 500 companies to emerging companies in manufacturing, healthcare, energy, technology, warehouses and distribution, and other operations.

Funding for the acquisition was provided by City Bank.