Spotlight On: Merle Johnson, Executive Director, Charleston County Economic Development
Key points:
- • Charleston County is taking a data-driven approach to long-term economic growth.
- • Workforce, housing, and infrastructure are shaping the region’s competitiveness.
- • Supporting existing businesses remains as important as attracting new investment.
August 2026 — Invest: spoke with Merle Johnson, executive director of Charleston County Economic Development, about the county’s evolving economic development strategy, workforce priorities, and efforts to ensure long-term competitiveness. “We look at it holistically, from basically birth to career,” Johnson said.
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What changes over the past year have impacted Charleston County Economic Development, and in what ways?
I returned to CCED in February 2025, and we have been approaching it for about 18 months since then. During my time away from Charleston County, I worked in economic and community development roles in Greenville and Orangeburg, and those experiences helped shape some of the changes we have made here.
First and foremost, we are a research-driven, data-focused organization. We have always been that way, but we are even more focused on it now. The research and data help determine our direction, while on the output side we have become increasingly KPI- and metric-driven. We still track traditional measures such as jobs and capital investment, but those are no longer the sole indicators of success.
We are also introducing three BHAGs, or Big Hairy Audacious Goals, that will guide our work and be supported by a series of measurable objectives.
Another major change has been the creation of our Community Competitiveness division, led by Kedyky ‘KK’ Sherrill. Its purpose is to bring an economic development perspective to foundational issues such as attainable housing, workforce development, dependent care, and transportation infrastructure. These are areas that many organizations work on, but we believe economic development should be part of those conversations because they directly impact a community’s ability to compete and grow.
What economic development trends are having the greatest impact on Charleston’s growth today?
Healthcare is a major driver of growth, as it is in many expanding regions. Tourism also continues to play a pivotal role in Charleston’s economy. What is interesting is that tourism’s economic impact has increased significantly even though visitor numbers have not grown at the same pace. That speaks to the caliber of visitors we are attracting and their spending power.
Another important factor is the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority and the investments being made in airport expansion, terminals, parking, and flight connectivity. Those improvements help support both tourism and broader economic activity.
A third major trend is the defense industry. In January, we recognized 2026 as our Year of Defense — a time to celebrate Charleston’s designation as a Coast Guard community. The growth of military-related operations has attracted significant private-sector investment from defense contractors and suppliers, which has allowed this ecosystem to continue strengthening the region’s economy.
Which international markets are currently generating the most interest?
We continue to see the strongest interest from Europe, particularly Germany and the United Kingdom, along with some smaller European nations.
South Carolina’s Department of Commerce and its international offices do a tremendous job supporting both existing foreign investors and new prospects. Charleston and South Carolina have benefited from substantial foreign direct investment over the years, and Europe remains the primary source of interest today.
How do you balance attracting new businesses while supporting the growth of existing ones?
Over the last several years, two-thirds of our announcements have come from existing companies. Supporting those businesses is a major priority for us.
Our Business Concierge Team spends a significant amount of time working with existing industry, helping companies expand and address challenges. We have seen the results of that effort.
We have also focused less on pursuing massive projects and more on what I would call singles and doubles. We are targeting projects that may create 30 to 50 jobs but offer strong wages and meaningful investment. Those projects often include corporate or regional headquarters and office-based positions that help retain talent and reduce brain drain.
We are also investing time in innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting local startups and helping create pathways for future growth.
How are you collaborating with educational institutions and workforce partners, and what skill sets are most in demand?
Healthcare remains one of the most pressing workforce needs. With major investments being made by healthcare providers, demand for nurses, technicians, and related professionals continues to grow.
The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has done an excellent job bringing workforce partners together, particularly around healthcare. One initiative has focused on helping students better understand healthcare careers and aligning educational pathways with workforce demand. That model is now being expanded into other sectors such as manufacturing.
We are also looking at workforce development from a broader perspective. KK Sherrill is working with Charleston County School District as it expands access to pre-K programs. The goal is to help address child care challenges that may be keeping some individuals out of the workforce.
We look at it holistically, from basically birth to career. Workforce development is not just about training workers; it is about understanding the factors that allow people to participate in the workforce in the first place.
Looking at the next two to three years, what are your key goals and priorities?
Our top priority is ensuring that Charleston’s growth remains sustainable and competitive. While the region has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, our focus now is on proactively guiding the next phase of that growth in a way that preserves quality of life while strengthening long-term competitiveness.
Transportation is a major piece of that effort. Charleston County is pursuing initiatives that would support infrastructure improvements, public transportation, and green space preservation. Projects such as Lowcountry Rapid Transit are intended to improve mobility while reducing future congestion.
Housing is another critical focus area. The county and municipalities throughout the region are working on attainable housing initiatives, while Charleston County has established a Housing and Land Management Division to help incentivize new housing opportunities.
Whether it is transportation, housing, workforce participation, or infrastructure, our goal is to make sure Charleston can continue growing while maintaining the qualities that make the region attractive in the first place.
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