A growing city doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built decision by decision, space by space, and win by win. We sit down with Mount Pleasant’s economic development lead to unpack a playbook that’s surprisingly simple and very effective: attract the right kinds of companies, give them plug-and-play space, and clear the small policy hurdles that block adaptive reuse. Along the way, we spotlight new arrivals—Tikva and Alita Health—whose smaller headcounts come with bigger paychecks and a better fit for the community’s talent and lifestyle.

We take you inside the Harbor Entrepreneur Center’s rapid expansion, where more than 100 companies—from solo founders to growing teams—find a soft landing, shared resources, and the kind of peer collisions that accelerate progress. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a business “stick” to a place, this is it: mentors down the hall, turnkey offices, and a city that feels good to live in. Then we head to 450 Wando Park Boulevard, a 154,000 square foot, fully conditioned, divisible asset a stone’s throw from the port. With overhead cranes, multiple bay doors, and high-quality office, it’s a chameleon—equally suited to life sciences, device manufacturing, distribution, or a headquarters that needs room to scale.

We also tackle the policy question shaping tomorrow’s corridors: how should parking minimums evolve when reimagining aging strip centers along Johnny Dodds and Coleman? We walk through the tradeoffs of zero minimums, case-by-case approvals, and strict code compliance—and why people choose districts for what’s there, not for the size of the lot. 

Want to see the momentum up close? Join the October candidate forum and the mayoral breakfast at the Harbor, and follow Mount Pleasant Made for fresh business features. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a builder in your life, and leave a quick review—what would you change to make growth smarter where you live?

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪@PollenSocial‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Immediate Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Chair | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs
Ben Nesvold | Co-host | In-coming President | Edward Jones