Charleston region designated “Great American Defense Community”
January 30, 2017
The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the designation of the Charleston region as one of eight Great American Defense Communities, by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). The designation is given to communities “providing unwavering support to service members and military families.”
The Charleston Metro Chamber, an ADC member, nominated the region for this distinction in support of Joint Base Charleston and the numerous public and private partnerships that work to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families. The Chamber application generated letters of support from national, state and local officials and organizations including United States Senators Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott; United States Congressman Mark Sanford; City of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg; City of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey; and the South Carolina Military Base Task Force.
Community and military partnerships in the Chamber’s application included detailed information on the following services, organizations and collaborations:
- Joint Base Charleston Chaplain Emergency Response in collaboration with Charleston Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy (CCC)
- Joint Base Charleston’s Community Leader Programs including the Honorary Commander’s Program and the Palmetto Military Support Group
- Charleston RiverDogs support for military families through numerous events including: Military Appreciation Nights, Military Family of the Game and Red Shirt Fridays supporting Wounded Warriors
- Emergency 911 Partnership in collaboration with Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch
- Berkeley County Libraries Bookmobile on Joint Base Charleston
- The Sports Fields initiative in partnership with the City of Goose Creek Recreation Department
“We are proud that the Lowcountry community has been honored and recognized as a Great American Defense Community this year by the Association of Defense Communities,” said Mary Graham, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Chief Advancement Officer. “This designation validates the many organizations and individuals who contribute their unwavering support to our service members, veterans and military families who live and serve in the Lowcountry.”
Over the next six months, each community will host a local event recognizing its selection and celebrating the hard work and creativity of the individuals and organizations making their communities great places for service members and their families to live. These events will culminate in a special reception and a congressional breakfast during the Defense Communities National Summit in Washington, DC, June 19-21, 2017.
Joining Charleston are the following seven communities also designated as the ‘Great American Defense Communities” Class of 2017: The Alamo – San Antonio Region, Texas; Christian County, Kentucky; Fort Hood – Central Texas Region; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Maricopa County, Arizona; Sierra Vista, Arizona; and the Governments of Southeastern Connecticut.
About the Association of Defense Communities (ADC)
ADC is a national nonprofit organization that is the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues and installation management to enhance knowledge, information sharing and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions and affiliated industry organizations, ADC represents every major defense community/state in the nation.
Visit the ADC website at www.defensecommunities.org.
About the Charleston Metro Chamber
With approximately 1,600 member organizations representing 160,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community, and a catalyst for advancing the region’s economy and enhancing members’ success through Regional Advancement, Advocacy, Talent and Business Development Solutions. Visit charlestonchamber.net.
