Cutting Edge Bioscience Destination
South Carolina is known globally as “a state that makes stuff.” From airplanes to automobiles, boats, and more, South Carolina has the talent to produce high-quality products including cutting-edge devices and discoveries in bioscience. Our consistent recognition for quality of life significantly impacts our migration rate, making us one of the fastest-growing states on the East coast. Our Life Science cluster is flourishing with nearly 700 companies doing business throughout 93% of counties in the state.
Fast Facts
- The Charleston Region is one of six emerging medium-sized U.S. regions for the medical device industry.
- In 2011, The Medical University of South Carolina alone conducted $243,000,000 in annual research.
- The industry is expected to experience strong growth with average annual revenue growth rates of 9.6%.
- In 2011, The WSJ named Charleston as the #1 US Metro for Growth in College Degrees over the past 10 years.
Who's Already Here
Industry Spotlight: ArborGen
With a footing in the Lowcountry since 2000, and a move to Dorchester County in 2010, ArborGen is the largest global producer of tree seedlings in the world. Utilizing the best science combined with an unmatched knowledge of forestry, ArborGen strives to produce purpose-grown trees to maximize resources and conserve the world’s native forests. ArborGen’s workforce consists of foresters, scientists, biologists, conservationists, tree farmers, and researchers that work together to grow 300 million seedlings globally each year. With the company’s corporate headquarters located right here in Dorchester County, international locations include Australia, Brazil, and New Zealand. With a $14.3 million investment to build ArborGen’s global headquarters, the biotech company’s state-of-the-art facility is complete with laboratories, production and administrative areas, and a 35,000-square-foot greenhouse.