Charleston Regional Development Alliance CEO Named One of Top 50 Economic Developers in North America
May 5, 2015
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC — David Ginn, President & CEO of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA), has been named one of the nation’s top 50 economic developers by site selection consultants in a recent survey conducted by Consultant Connect, a program that bridges the gap between top economic developers and site selectors.
Ginn was interviewed for Consultant Connect’s podcast, The Ground Up: North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers, which aired on May 1. The podcast series features the top 50 economic developers that are recognized for their excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
“The list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers was developed as a way to acknowledge the work of these 50 economic development leaders and elevate the conversation around best practices in the industry,” said Ron Kitchens, managing partner of Consultant Connect. “Each leader named is absolutely deserving of this recognition for the work they do every day to build their communities. The insights they share on the podcast are invaluable and worth every minute of your time to listen in.”
Serving the CRDA since its inception, Ginn was previously the organization’s executive vice president and project director before being named president and CEO in 2000. Today, he works closely with the region’s top business, government, and academic leaders to shape and execute the region’s economic development strategy, and market the region as a globally competitive destination for business, talent and entrepreneurs.
In the podcast, Ginn discussed some of the region’s most noteworthy economic development projects, including how the community and state worked together to bring Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner facility to North Charleston in 2009. “You can imagine the game-changing atmosphere. Boeing has helped transform Charleston into a “global stage” for aerospace,” he added.
Ginn also touted the first large project the community won after the Navy Base closure— Nucor Steel’s $500 million mini steel mill. The significant project came on the heels of the formation of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance in 1995. This year marks the Alliance’s 20th anniversary.
On what makes the Charleston region unique, Ginn said, “It would be the combination of our history, the natural beauty, and the economic vibrancy of the place…Charleston is a very inspiring place.”
***In other news, the CRDA was also honored last week by the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (SCPRSA) with a 2014 Silver Wing Award of Excellence for its Charleston tech sector marketing video. The Award of Excellence is the state’s highest designation and the CRDA was the only award recipient for the multimedia category. The video provides an overview of Charleston’s competitive advantages for the growing software/IT sector, and establishes that the region has a critical mass of peer companies with foundational support to grow and be successful.
