Keel opens $43 million shipyard facility in Charleston County, expanding defense manufacturing capabilities

Keel Holdings has opened a new $43 million preparation and painting facility at its shipyard on Yonges Island in Charleston County, expanding its manufacturing capabilities and supporting the region’s growing role in the nation’s defense industry.

The investment is part of a broader $67 million expansion planned for the region that is expected to create 170 jobs. The new facility will enhance Keel’s ability to prepare and finish large-scale metal components used in U.S. Navy submarines and other defense programs.

“The opening of our state-of-the-art Prep & Paint Facility at Yonges Island marks an important milestone for Keel’s investment in, and commitment to, Charleston County and the broader region,” said Keel CEO Brian Carter.

The expansion strengthens Keel’s capacity to support the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding supply chain, which depends on specialized manufacturers to produce and finish complex components. The new facility will also help the company improve production efficiency and meet increasing demand for defense-related manufacturing.

The investment is significant for the Charleston region because it supports high-skilled manufacturing jobs, strengthens the local maritime industrial base and positions the Lowcountry to benefit from continued federal investment in naval shipbuilding. The project also highlights South Carolina’s growing importance in advanced manufacturing and national defense.