Information Technology

Cities like Charleston, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant anchor a dense cluster of employers that have helped earn the region the title of the “Southeast’s Silicon Harbor.” The region offers technology companies a rare combination of highly skilled talent, strong business support networks, and a quality of life that attracts top professionals. The downtown Charleston Tech Center (a 92,000-square-foot, Class-A hub developed with the Charleston Digital Corridor) houses coworking, private suites, and a Google-supported workforce training program, and has become home to thriving firms and scaleups like Workiva and isofy.

Just a short drive away in Dorchester and Berkeley County, Google is investing $13.5 billion into its three data centers, making cities like Moncks Corner, Summerville, and St. George prime hot spots for new tech businesses.

For logistics and supply-chain software firms, Charleston is exceptionally well-positioned with proximity to the Port of Charleston and a deep logistics ecosystem  complete with real market access and talent. Locally founded Gnosis Freight employs data scientists, software engineers, and logistics specialists and has been doing business in the region for nearly a decade. Cantey Tech Consulting also offers IT services for transportation & logistics companies, with locations in Charleston and Summerville.

Charleston’s deep military roots date back to the city’s founding in 1670, and that legacy continues to shape one of the region’s strongest talent advantages today. The Charleston region is home to Joint Base Charleston (one of just 12 joint installations operated by the U.S. Department of Defense), the Naval Information Warfare Center (one of the Navy’s only two cyber mission engineering centers), and a presence from nearly every U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security agency.

Today, an estimated 25,000 active-duty, civilian, and contract civilian personnel work in the area, alongside more than 15,000 military retirees. Many bring active or prior security clearances, technical expertise, and leadership experience, creating a deep, ready workforce for defense-adjacent IT, cybersecurity, and advanced technology companies.

This talent pool is further strengthened by continuing education opportunities across the region, including advanced degrees in computer science and engineering, as well as coding, cybersecurity, and technical training programs that support ongoing skill development. Qualifying employers creating new jobs can also tap into proven incentives  and higher-education resources, helping align talent pipelines with business growth needs.