The Regional Advancement division works to encourage ways for individuals and organizations in the Charleston metro area (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties) to communicate and collaborate effectively in order to plan, implement and evaluate priorities of common interest that will advance the quality of life and economic development for the benefit of all citizens living, working and visiting the region. The Regional Advancement division, through the Center for Business Research, also collects, analyzes and distributes demographic, business and economic information on the Charleston region to help people make better business decisions.

Regional Advancement is responsible for:

• Port/Maritime Development
• Regional Planning
• Infrastructure/Transportation
• Air Service
• Economic Profiling/Forecasting
• Monitoring Half-Cent Sales Tax Implementation
  
• Coastal Chambers Alliance
• Regional Healthcare Initiative
• Community & Economic Data (CBR)

Regional Advancement Staff
Mary Graham, CCE, CCR, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, 843.805.3043
Graham Drayton, Regional Advancement / Public Policy Manager, 843.805.3034

Regional Advacement Volunteers
Stuart Whiteside, Seamon Whiteside & Associates, Regional Advancement Vice Chairman
Thompson E. Penney, LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD., Regional Planning/Vision
Stuart Whiteside, Seamon Whiteside & Associates, Economic Outlook Board Chairman
Wilbur Johnson, Young Clement Rivers LLP, Port Development