Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Repair in Daniel Island, SC

A global video game developer with more than 1,500 titles is moving to the Daniel Island area and potentially bringing hundreds of jobs to the region over the next few years.

Founded in Japan in 1994, PTW develops games for some of the industry’s largest publishers and studios, including Xbox Game Studios, Sony, Nintendo, Amazon Game Studios, Blizzard Entertainment and Warner Brothers.

The company will move into part of a 30,000-square-foot office complex at 2387 Clements Ferry Road in the city of Charleston. The space at the Berkeley County site previously was occupied by government contracting giant Booz Allen Hamilton, which partially reduced its footprint but remains onsite.

PTW chose the area as its next U.S. flagship location because of the growing technology sector, the company said in a statement. This year alone, six local tech firms raised a combined $100 million in capital to fund their growth and the local industry is expected to grow by more than 15 percent in the next four years, according to a report by the Charleston Digital Corridor.

“Charleston stood out as the ideal location — it’s a growing tech hub with the perfect blend of proximity and highly skilled talent,” said Sebastien Bisch, vice president of operations for the Americas at PTW.

The company's fifth U.S. studio will be led by Bernhard Rieder, who will report to Bisch and oversee day-to-day operations in the Lowcountry. The site also will serve as a hub to nurture local talent and provide game-development services to PTW’s clients.

The Clements Ferry building was considered a cutting-edge model of energy efficiency when it was developed in 2001 for a local software business. Booz Allen Hamilton took over the space in 2015 when it acquired the existing tenant. PTW will take over one wing.

Worldwide, the video game developer has 40 studios in 15 countries across North America, Europe, South America and Asia.

In August it acquired Ghostpunch Games, known for its contributions to some of the industry's biggest franchises, including Mortal Kombat, Fortnite, Silent Hill, Borderlands, and Civilization.

PTW expects to create hundreds of new jobs in the next few years in Charleston, adding to the already expected 15.7 percent growth expected for the region's information technology sector by 2028, according to a new study from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.

The study anticipates the most in-demand IT jobs will be software developers, computer-user support specialists, systems analysts, computer and information systems managers and information security analysts.

During the holiday season, many folks are looking for ways to give back to those in need, and the 2024 Angel charities are doing good work with those gifts.

Ten charitable South Carolina organizations, including area group Neighbors Together, Inc. in North Charleston, have been named as Angels for 2024, highlighting the nonprofits that make significant contributions to the state’s communities and demonstrate sound management of their resources.

“Each year, I look forward to recognizing Angel charities that positively impact our great state,” South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond said. “Charitable organizations do so much for our communities, and I always enjoy meeting the nonprofit leaders who work selflessly to help others.”

The organizations recognized as Angels must devote at least 80% of their expenditures to charitable programs and meet stringent criteria, including a strong presence in South Carolina and compliance with state charitable solicitation laws.

This year’s honorees represent a wide range of causes, from housing assistance to wildlife preservation.

The 2024 Angels are listed alphabetically and with the percentage of expenditures directed to charitable programs.

● Cliffs Residents Outreach, Inc., Travelers Rest, 93.2%

● Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, Inc., Myrtle Beach, 83.7%

● Keepin’ It Real Ministries, Columbia, 95.4%

● Laurens County SAFE Home, Laurens, 81.2%

● Mary Sunshine House, Central, 82.6%

● Neighbors Together, Inc., North Charleston, 83.3%

● PlaySafe, Anderson, 82.2%

● PS I Love You Ministries, Spartanburg, 94.3%

● Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, 95.9%

● Mary Ann Morris Animal Society, Bamberg, 99.3%

Hammond encouraged South Carolinians to use these organizations as models when deciding where to donate their time or money.

“The 2024 Angels exemplify the diverse needs and passions of people across South Carolina,” he said. “I hope this recognition inspires others to give wisely and support causes that align with their values.”

Hammond also emphasized the importance of informed giving. The Secretary of State’s office offers resources such as the Give Smart SC app, which allows donors to verify charities’ registration and review financial information.

The app, available on the App Store and Google Play, provides details like total revenue, program expenses, and the percentage of funds used for charitable services.

The Secretary of State’s website at sos.sc.gov also provides tutorials for nonprofits on filing financial reports. Those who have concerns about a charitable organization can file confidential complaints both through the app or the state’s website.

“I am grateful to recognize these remarkable organizations and hope they inspire all of us to work together to build stronger communities,” Hammond said. “As always, remember to give from the heart—but give smart.”

Information provided by the South Carolina Office of the Secretary of State.

Here are the developments before the various City of Charleston boards and committees this week, as well as results, if any, from the prior week’s items specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area.

More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING: TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Nov. 21: Sportsman Island Dr. – Townhomes Subdivision Preliminary plat of proposed subdivision on .58 acres, located at 123 Sportsman Island Dr. in Cainhoy TMS: B2710002064 Owner: Benjamin Stein. Applicant: Barrier Island SC. LLC. Contact: Andrew Bajoczky, [email protected].

Nov. 21: Restore at Point Hope – Proposed new development on 36.87 acres, located on 1236 Clements Ferry Rd., in Cainhoy. TMS B2620000028 Owner: The Berry Company Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Domonic Jones, [email protected].

Nov. 21: Daniel Island Club Lodge – Proposed new private facility on 3.5 acres, located at 604 Island Park Dr., in Daniel Island. TMS: B2710000001. Owner: Daniel Island Golf Club LLC. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Bryce Lemon, [email protected].

Nov. 21: Lifestyle Communities at Point Hope – Proposed new utilities to serve as a mixed-use site, located on 27.9 acres, at 1260 Clements Ferry Rd., in Cainhoy. TMS: B2620000028. Owner: Lifestyle Communities. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Dominic Jones, [email protected].

UPCOMING: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – SITE DESIGN

No items pertaining to Daniel Island or Cainhoy from last week.

RESULTS: TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Nov. 14: Alliance Apartments Ph.1 – Proposed new multifamily housing development on 23.9 acres, located at 1111 Kentucky Derby Lane in Cainhoy. TMS: B2620000028 Owner: Seven Sticks LLC Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Hannah Wilken, [email protected]. Results: Open pending delivery of Stormwater and Zoning comments.

Nov. 14: Towne at Cooper River – Clements Ferry Medical – Proposed medical office building with parking on 3.8 acres, located at 250 Silo Acres Dr., in Cainhoy. TMS: B2710001035. Owner: Thorn Baccich Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, LLC. Contact: Spencer Plowden, [email protected]. Results: No return/ paperwork comments.

Nov. 14: Extra Room Clements Ferry – Proposed new four-story storage facility on 2.44 acres, located on 2274 Clements Ferry Rd., in Cainhoy. TMS B2670000148 Owner: Extra Room Clements Ferry LLC Applicant: Earthsource Engineering Contact: Noah Nelson, [email protected]. Results: Revise and return.

RESULTS: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – SITE DESIGN

No items pertaining to Daniel Island or Cainhoy from last week.

Say goodbye to orange traffic cones and hello to four lanes of open road.

The much-anticipated Clements Ferry Road Widening Phase 2 is officially complete – ahead of schedule and under budget.

The project, which has been in the works since December 2020, was initially slated for completion by Nov. 30 but wrapped up on Oct. 11, nearly two months early.

The $75 million project, part of Berkeley County’s One Cent Sales Tax program, expanded Clements Ferry Road by adding two lanes along a 4.5-mile stretch from Jack Primus Road to SC Highway 41. Improvements also included a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists and a raised planted median to enhance road safety.

Berkeley County Councilman Josh Whitley praised the project as a significant milestone for the area.

“We’re very proud of this project,” Whitley said. “At the end of my third term, I ran for county council to widen Clements Ferry Road and now this signifies the completion of both phases. It’s really a tremendous thing to end my career knowing that we’ve got that road widened for the 25,000 cars that come down Clements Ferry Road every day.”

Celebrating the completion of another One Cent Sales Tax project, Whitley thanked the constituents involved. “Banks Construction and our Berkeley County engineering team forged a successful partnership to get this crucial work done earlier than anticipated and with cost savings to the taxpayers. Clements Ferry Road will now be a much safer corridor for years to come.”

According to county public information officer Jenna-Ley Walls, “The total cost of Phase 2 was $75 million, with construction being $45 million, which was about $2 million under budget.”

Phase 2 builds upon the success of Phase 1, completed in August 2019, which widened Clements Ferry Road from I-526 to Jack Primus Road. Together, the two phases have transformed nearly nine miles of the Cainhoy peninsula, for commuters, school buses, emergency vehicles, and pedestrians walking along the corridor.

“I love celebrating a completion because I know all the hard work that goes into doing them,” Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said on the day of completion.

“I remember when Phase 1 finished, I got more positive phone calls from residents on Daniel Island and Clements Ferry than ever about the impact on quality of life,” Cribb said. “Thirty minutes a day to a person is significant. It’s getting to the ball game on time, getting home for dinner on time, and more time for family, so getting this done is a big deal.”

Residents who have dealt with construction delays and traffic congestion over the years were relieved by the early completion.

Sander van Es, a Nelliefield resident, said, “It’s been a lot with all the traffic and road work going on, and I drive up and down here everyday with the kids. Normally it would take about 35 minutes to drive anywhere with construction going on, but it should be cut down to 15 minutes now.”

Brad Williams, a Beresford Hall resident who travels Clements Ferry Road daily for work, noticed the improvement as soon as the traffic cones were removed.

“You can travel the full length of Clements Ferry from 526 to the Wando River Marina in approximately 10 minutes now,” Williams said. “Traffic is so much better and 526 is more easily accessible to all Clements Ferry residents and visitors. I’m excited to live here and see the area continue to improve.”