Lowcountry

Anheuser-Busch, MADD, and Uber Partner with KW Beverage of South Carolina to Encourage 21+ Fans to ‘Decide to Ride’ by Planning Ahead for Sober Rides on Game Days

September 22, 2023 by 0 Comments
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THE COALITION IS EXPANDING TO COLLEGES NATIONWIDE TO HELP PREVENT DRUNK DRIVING DURING THE FOOTBALL SEASON 

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The country’s leading brewer, Anheuser-Busch, the nation’s largest drunk driving victim services and advocacy nonprofit, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and ridesharing platform, Uber, are bringing their first-of-its-kind coalition to college communities this fall. As a part of the next phase of the Decide to Ride campaign, the coalition is teaming up with Anheuser-Busch wholesaler partner KW Beverage to help combat drunk driving during the South Carolina Gamecocks’ 2023 football season. 

Decide to Ride Fall 2023 Campaign Graphic (PRNewsfoto/Anheuser-Busch)
Decide to Ride Fall 2023 Campaign Graphic (PRNewsfoto/Anheuser-Busch)

The coalition aims to expand its reach among consumers by activating at a number of college football games across the country for the first time ever with the key message – “If You Drink, Don’t Drive. Decide to Ride.” This joint effort will meet 21+ fans ahead of the game to raise awareness and promote road safety by providing educational and ridesharing opportunities, including some locally available discounts on Uber rides. Consumers who are aware of the campaign are 40 percent more likely to avoid drunk driving by using a ridesharing app to get safely to and from their destinations, according to internal campaign research developed by the coalition.

“Anheuser-Busch has been promoting a culture of responsible drinking for over a century, and we know there is still more to be done. The expansion of Decide to Ride to college communities aims to promote alcohol safety where we can create the greatest impact,” said Anheuser-Busch Chief External Affairs Officer Cesar Vargas. “Football season is a time for fans to come together. To ensure a future with more cheers for all, it’s imperative that we help college football fans get home safely. That’s who we are, and that’s what this coalition is all about.” 

The Decide to Ride campaign in South Carolina will kick off during the University of South Carolina vs. Mississippi State game on Saturday, Sept. 23 (Gamecocks vs. Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m. ET). At the game, fans can expect to see digital creative and promotions that bring to life the campaign’s message and encourage everyone to pledge to take a safe ride home. KW Beverages will also be hosting a giveaway for $25 Uber certificates in the tailgate zone ahead of the game, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET.

“All of us at KW Beverage are proud to partner with Anheuser-Busch, MADD and Uber to bring the Decide to Ride message to fellow football fans,” said Randy Hartzog, VP and General Manager of KW Beverage. “We want to encourage gameday celebrations to be fun but responsible. So no matter the score, we encourage everyone to consider a designated driver or an Uber ride after the game. Decide to Ride!”

“We all love watching football, but everything changes when someone under the influence gets behind the wheel. Be smart, and catch a ride to the game if you’re going to consume alcohol,” said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. “Drunk driving is preventable, and it’s up to us to stop it.”

Over the last 35 years, Anheuser-Busch and its network of independent wholesaler partners have invested more than $1 billion in community-based programs and initiatives to prevent underage drinking, drunk driving, and other harmful uses of alcohol. This includes an investment of nearly $14 million since 1999 to support social norms programs that reduce alcohol harm and increase protective behaviors on college campuses. In 2021, Anheuser-Busch wholesalers also participated in alcohol education programs with 185 colleges and universities.   

“As college sports bring together students, friends, and family from all over the nation, MADD wants everyone who attends game day to have fun! Please remember that it’s against the law to drink under the age of 21 and if you do choose to consume alcohol, leave the keys at home and make a plan for a safe ride before the first drink – designate a nondrinking driver, use rideshare or public transportation,” said Tess Rowland, MADD National President.

“We are proud to continue our work with Anheuser-Busch and MADD to remind fans to Decide to Ride,” said Kristin Smith, Head of Road Safety Policy at Uber. “There is never a reason to get behind the wheel impaired, especially with options like Uber, which studies show helps reduce impaired driving fatalities in our communities. Ahead of the fall football season, we want to make it easy for everyone to Decide to Ride.”

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. We are home to several of America’s most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

ABOUT MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING (MADD)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nonprofit leader in a movement to create a Nation of #NoMoreVictims of impaired driving. By working to end drunk and drugged driving, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50%, saving more than 400,000 lives. The organization is a vocal advocate for justice for victims, new laws, and new technology, including implementation of auto technology in every vehicle that prevents impaired driving. MADD also has provided supportive services to nearly one million victims of drunk and drugged driving at no charge through local victim advocates and its 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to make a donation, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

ABOUT UBER

Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 39 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch

Lowcountry

Grand Opening – Hamby Catering & Events Launches Flagship Event Space, The Rutledge Room

September 21, 2023 by 0 Comments
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HAMBY CATERING & EVENTS LAUNCHES FLAGSHIP EVENT SPACE, THE RUTLEDGE ROOM

Charleston, S.C. – Timeless, Southern, Inventive, three words used to describe Hamby Catering, can now be extended to the company’s flagship event venue, The Rutledge Room. In partnership with Stay Duvet, Charleston’s leader in curated and

quality vacation rentals, The Rutledge Room by Hamby Catering aims to offer an intimate space to host, enjoy and entertain.

207 Rutledge Avenue has had hospitality instilled in its foundation since its construction in 1855, and more recently as the site of the famed Hominy Grill. The three unique spaces of The Rutledge Room include an entry room, formal dining room and enclosed private piazza – each intimate enough for small gatherings, yet together robust enough leave a lasting impression.

“It has been our dream for years to extend our hospitality to a space we can fully call our own,” said Candice Hudnall, President and Owner of Hamby Catering & Events. “With our own space comes more freedom, more creativity and most importantly, more ways to serve the Charleston community.”

With the launch of this new space comes new tastes, too. Hamby is debuting a new menu with elevated offerings, exclusive to The Rutledge Room.

“A new venture calls for new flavors,” said Dawn Sanders, Hamby Catering’s Executive Chef. “By giving our team the chance to flex in the culinary department, we are able to roll out dishes that are both innovative while also speaking to Hamby Catering’s legacy of timeless, thoughtful cuisine.”

New menu items include herb-encrusted lamb lollipop, sesame-encrusted ahi tuna, beef tartare parmesan cups and seared scallops with pineapple guacamole.

To round out the hospitality arm of The Rutledge Room is their partnership with Stay Duvet, offering on-site units with a total of 8 beds/8 baths – perfect for guests who are looking for a centralized location. Guests staying on site will enjoy curated itineraries and guides, as well as fully stocked fridges facilitated through The Market at Hamby.

The Rutledge Room is accepting bookings for Fall 2023 and Winter 2024. For more information, visit www.therutledgeroom. com and follow them on Instagram at @therutledgeroom.

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About the Rutledge Room:

207 Rutledge Avenue has had the tradition of hospitality instilled in its foundation since its construction in 1855 and through its celebrated partners, Stay Duvet and Hamby Catering & Events – Charleston’s oldest locally owned and operated caterer. The three unique spaces of The Rutledge Room include an entry room, formal dining room and enclosed private piazza – each intimate enough for small gatherings, yet together robust enough leave a lasting impression.

With just over 3,000 feet of total event space, The Rutledge Room has been outfitted with extensive A/V features to maximize the use of the venue. Located within the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood of Charleston, The Rutledge Room is steps from eating and entertainment spots, perfect for extended stay guests and staff-centric events.

Lowcountry

Charleston, South Carolina Eco-Friendly Revolution: A Guide to Recycling in the Holy City

September 20, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Charleston now stands out as one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the United States, making it a shining example of recycling-friendly communities. If you’re wondering how to join the recycling movement in the Holy City – read on!

According to Charleston County Environmental Management, the city is now offering a new service, called single stream recycling, aka ‘All-In-One Recycling’, with the new service, residents are able to combine paper products, cardboard, plastic bottles & containers, aluminum and glass all together – no sorting is required – which makes it easier for you to recycle more.

Here’s more details about specifically what is and isn’t allowed:

To delve deeper into Charleston’s recycling program and gain additional insights, you can visit the Charleston County Environmental Management page here.

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Lowcountry

Charleston, SC based Nanobébé Revolutionizes Parenting Tech with the Next Generation of AI Baby Monitoring: Meet Aura

September 20, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Nanobébé Aura is the first smart monitor to provide an all-in-one parent assistant experience from newborn to toddlerhood utilizing AI technology without the use of wearables

CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Nanobébé, a renowned leader in baby care, is revolutionizing parenting with their latest breakthrough: the Aura Smart Baby Monitor. With cutting-edge AI capabilities to provide peace of mind for parents, Aura goes beyond anything currently available on the market.

From baby’s first nursery to toddlerhood and playrooms – Nanobébé Aura offers a comprehensive solution as children grow. Aura’s tech specs include non-wearable breathing motion detection, waking and sleeping notifications, crystal clear streaming with HD night vision, remote panning beyond the crib, a built-in state-of-the-art sound machine, and in-app daily activity tracking.

“When considering the array of baby monitors available, Aura stands above the rest with the unique implementation of artificial intelligence,” said Ori Negri, Chief Technology Officer of Nanobébé. “Aura’s advanced technology learns and evaluates the child’s behavior to provide a second set of eyes for parents but also to help them tackle the ups and downs of parenthood.”

As an award-winning and innovation-forward company, the Nanobébé brand has become a household name after reinventing the shape and function of the baby bottle with the first design to preserve breast milk nutrients. The debut of Aura marks Nanobébé’s new footprint in the tech space, offering a well-thought-out solution with the perfect balance of innovation and care to support and strengthen the bond between parents and their babies.

“The investments we’ve made in our team and the AI division of our company will allow Nanobébé to grow in our modern digital era while continuing to take care of our customers and their families,” states Asaf Kehat, co-founder and CEO of Nanobébé. “Our strategic product line expansion marks a pivotal milestone in our journey toward becoming a market-defining company,” says Ayal Lanternari, Nanobébé co-founder and Executive Chairman.

Aura is projected to top baby registries and new-parent must-have lists with its cutting-edge features:

  • Non-wearable breathing motion detection
  • Built-in sound machine with a science-backed playlist
  • 360° remote pan & tilt to view beyond the crib
  • Crystal clear HD streaming with day & night vision
  • Waking & sleeping notifications
  • Two-way talk
  • In-app daily log for feeding, sleeping, diapers, & weight

Aura is available for preorder on the Nanobébé website and can be purchased individually or as part of the Nanobébé Experience package. This package includes both the award-winning feeding essentials and Nanobébé Aura.

For more information, please visit https://nanobebe.com/why-aura. 

About Nanobébé
Positioned to be the world’s leading baby wellness brand, Nanobébé joined forces with a team of pediatricians, AI specialists, and biomedical engineers to create the most innovative and groundbreaking ecosystem. Their team’s unwavering dedication to the well-being of future generations serves as the driving force behind the creation of each product. By pinpointing the everyday hurdles faced by modern parents, Nanobébé will continue to craft genuine, effective baby tech solutions that benefit the well-being of the modern parent.

SOURCE Nanobébé

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Lowcountry

After 4 1/2 years in downtown Charleston, SC, Baker & Brewer are closing their doors on Monday, September 25, 2023

September 19, 2023 by 0 Comments
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After 4 1/2 years occupying 94 Stuart Street in downtown Charleston, Baker & Brewer are closing their doors on Sunday. In a statement made on their Instagram profile, Baker & Brewer announced:

Hey there, lovers of pizza and beer. We’ve had a wild ride these last four and a half years, but we regret to inform you that Baker and Brewer is closing its doors. We had an opportunity arise that we just couldn’t turn down. We just wanted to thank the staff and all of you who came to support the spot on Stuart Street since 2019. Our last day of service will be Monday, September 25th. You can still get your favorite pies at @evopizza in Park Circle and snag some BnB pints at @holycitybrewing on Aragon Ave. Now, onto the next adventure! Thanks again. 

Here is how you can spend the final week with Baker & Brewer

Lowcountry

Charleston, SC and Washington DC Fighting Climate Change with Augmented Reality

September 19, 2023 by 0 Comments
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On September 25, Charleston and Washington DC, along with inCitu, an AR company that helps cities and companies visualize future physical developments, will unveil collaborations to help sell in their city planning agendas. inCitu creates cities’ development projects in AR so that civic leaders, opposition leaders, residents and funders can see various concepts overlaid on existing streets and cityscapes. It’s is proving incredibly useful in transforming city infrastructure (think seawalls, piers, train stations) that might normally get mired in lengthy red tape or never see the light of day.

In beautiful, historic Charleston, there’s a major initiative under way to transform the future infrastructure (e.g. pier, seawall) to protect the City from flooding. It’s been met with lively debate from those citizens who care about how it will appear. Using inCitu’s AR, constituents are able to scan a QR code on their phone to see designs and weigh in. The ‘digital twin’ of the development areas lets residents envision the future and fosters better collaboration about pier development.

“People assume the worst until they have an opportunity to view the beautiful possibilities with their own eyes. The community can take out their phones and see three designs – they care about the aesthetics as well as climate change. This is a tool to bring together diverse groups so citizens have a direct way to be involved in the city conversation. It also proves that Charleston has the ability to be a center of innovation.” said one Charleston civic leader.

“City planning is too slow, obscure, and expensive for the pace of development required in cities today”, says Dana Chermesh-Reshef, Founder & CEO of inCitu. “Facing climate change, severe housing shortage, public health threats, mass urbanization and major geo-political shifts, cities worldwide must adapt fast and effectively, but the obsolete systems prevent equity in the design and decision making process, leading to a lack of trust, collaboration and inclusivity amongst residents and industry professionals”. 

inCitu allows anyone to see and explore how their neighborhood is changing around them, in real scale. They turn massive piles of messy data and archaic systems into beautiful, informative, accurate visualizations of future skylines and buildings, and provide that data to technology companies as well. Obsessed with lowering the friction for city dwellers to access future development information, all of inCitu’s information – from individual buildings, affordable housing, mixed use developments, through parks and bridges and to complete neighborhood rezoning and regional infrastructure – are available via mobile-AR, with no headsets or special devices required.

The company recently unveiled a real under-review Midtown Manhattan development proposal, making it the most visible planning proposal in the history of city planning and the world’s largest Wildlife Crossing is now accessible in AR to all Los Angeles neighbors and visitors throughout its construction.

Also if it’s helpful, HERE is a short video of one of inCitu’s venture capitalist, Oliver Libby, talking about infrastructure-tech being really innovative and exciting.

Lowcountry

Latest Old Towne Creek County Park construction update from Charleston County Parks

September 19, 2023 by 0 Comments
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The creation of the new Old Towne Creek County Park is making good progress. A construction entrance is being created along Old Towne Road and informational banners are going up that will include renderings of the park. Work will soon start on repairs to the existing dike. In addition, preliminary groundwork is being done for the gas, water, sewer, electrical, and IT lines. Be sure to check back on our website for more updates. https://ccprc.com/1728/Old-Towne-Creek-County-Park

Ongoing updates will be posted periodically on the park webpage, https://ccprc.com/1728/Old-Towne-Creek-County-Park.

Lowcountry

Blaze Capital Partners Acquires 99 Unit Townhome Rental Community in Charleston, S.C.

September 18, 2023 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Blaze Capital Partners (“Blaze”) and joint venture partner Cross Lake Partners today announce the acquisition of The Retreat at Carlile, a 99-unit, Class-A townhome rental community in Summerville, South Carolina, a fast growing submarket just outside of Charleston.

“Among the fastest-growing areas in the country, Charleston’s population is booming as job growth and investment draws more people to the Lowcountry – creating unmatched demand for housing at a time when the cost of homeownership is reaching unobtainable heights,” said Eddy O’Brien, co-founder and managing partner of Blaze. “As economic conditions keep would-be homebuyers out of the market in the Charleston metro, build-to-rent communities are providing an affordable alternative, without requiring people to sacrifice the lifestyle and space offered by a more traditional neighborhood setting. The Retreat at Carlile provides an underrepresented rental townhome option to the Charleston market and as demand for this type of product intensifies, we’re pleased to add this community to our expanding portfolio.”

The Retreat at Carlile features two- and three-bedroom new construction townhomes ranging from 1,492 to 1,540 square feet in a 20.5-acre neighborhood. Construction for the community began in 2022. The townhomes feature nine-foot ceilings, espresso kitchen cabinets, patio storage, energy-efficient stainless steel appliances, gourmet-inspired kitchens, granite countertops and spacious walk-in closets. Each home has designated parking spots and the pet-friendly community features on-site management, a 24-hour fitness center, a pool and sun deck.

The property is ideally located six miles from I-26, allowing easy access to Charleston’s largest employers including Boeing, Volvo’s Ridgeville Plant, and Google. The Retreat at Carlile’s residents can enjoy the ease of a suburban layout in Summerville with access to city offerings found in Charleston, voted the number one city in America by Travel & Leisure the last nine years. Preserved historic architecture, award-winning food, miles of pristine beaches and world-class entertainment, arts and culture span the region, offering endless relaxation and recreation options.

“Housing demand across the Summerville and I-26 corridor continues to rise given the rate at which population is growing. Build-to-rent properties combine affordability with the familiarity and comfort of the ‘home style’ market for residents who may be entering a new phase of life – bringing much-needed choices to the area’s housing stock at a time when there are more barriers than ever to purchasing a home,” said Adam Rapport, Partner and Head of Acquisitions at Cross Lake. “This acquisition aligns with our long-term view on housing as the market evolves, and we will continue investing in the Carolinas as the region experiences remarkable growth.”

Last October, Blaze and Cross Lake Partners sold Chamberlain Pines, a 132-unit townhome rental community in Summerville developed and sold by the JV partnership.

Blaze has continued to grow its rental housing portfolio significantly throughout the Sun Belt. In the past twelve months, Blaze has acquired three active adult communities and two conventional multifamily communities, including most recently Integra Lakes, a 203-unit multifamily community in Orlando. Blaze expects to deploy capital opportunistically throughout the remainder of the year as the firm seeks to find attractive long-term plays amidst significant capital market volatility and dislocation.

About Blaze Capital Partners

Blaze Capital Partners is a rental housing investment and development firm driven by a simple but unusual mission: Creating homes for how people live and how they want to live. With a human-first approach fueled by demographic and psychographic research, Blaze owns and operates exceptional communities in high-growth markets throughout the Sun Belt. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Blaze offers a full suite of investment services, ranging from research and acquisitions to development and asset management. With a current portfolio across the Southeast, Blaze has transacted on approximately $2.5 billion in gross asset value since 2016, with an active investment pipeline of acquisition and development opportunities across the rental housing spectrum. To learn more about Blaze, visit www.blazecapitalpartners.com.

About Cross Lake Partners

Cross Lake Partners is an independent, privately held real estate investment firm based in New York City with approximately $1 billion in assets under management. The founders have worked together since 2004 and collectively have more than 50 years of real estate investing experience across a broad array of real estate asset classes. Over their careers, the founders of Cross Lake have led real estate transactions with an aggregate asset value in excess of $20 billion. Cross Lake pursues a value driven, disciplined approach to investing in the top 30 growth markets of the U.S. For more information, please visit www.crosslakepartners.com.

SOURCE Blaze Capital Partners, LLC

CONTACT: Casey Harmon, charmon@blazecapitalpartners.com

Lowcountry

South Carolina Ranked 5th Best Business Climate in the United States

September 18, 2023 by 0 Comments
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Corporate Executives Cite Websites, Industry Relationships and News as Top 3 Marketing Tactics to Influence Perceptions about a Location’s Business Climate

National Study Informs What Drives Company Location Decisions

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A new survey of U.S. business executives and their location advisors concludes that websites, industry relationships with executives and publicity are the top marketing tactics that influence perceptions about a location’s business climate during the site selection process, which includes company relocations, expansions or consolidations.

Released today at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference in Dallas, the 10th edition of “Winning Strategies in Economic Development” reveals that economic development organizations (EDOs) should prioritize their “digital front doors.” Corporate executives’ perceived value of an EDO’s Internet and website presence is at an all-time high (76%) since the study’s inception in 1996, when just 18% rated it as a valuable tactic.

More than 50% of the corporate executives surveyed will make a location decision, such as a relocation, expansion or consolidation, in the next two years. More than 65% of these decision makers plan to outsource a portion of the site selection process to a consultant or real estate broker, a 64% increase from 2020. More than half of respondents said workforce statistics are the most useful feature of an EDO’s website, followed by incentive information. 

Conducted by Development Counsellors International (DCI) every three years, the “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing” survey has tracked trends in economic development.

“One of the most decisive findings from this year’s Winning Strategies study is that communities shouldn’t underestimate the significance of their website strategy and digital media presence,” said Julie Curtin, president of DCI’s economic development practice. “When it comes down to a community’s key differentiators, perceptions about a place are deeply rooted in relationships, trust and accurate data in the form of tailored, two-way communication with decision makers.”

Additional findings from the 2023 survey, which is based on a random sample of 306 corporate executives with site selection responsibilities, include:

  • States with the Best Business Climates: Texas ranks No. 1 with 54% of respondents citing the state as having a favorable tax climate, followed by Florida at No. 2 with 33%, Georgia at 30%, North Carolina at 29% and South Carolina at 20%.
  • States with the Worst Business Climates: For the eighth consecutive year of this survey, California has the least favorable business climate. New York, Illinois and New Jersey retained their distinction of ranking as one of the top five worst business climates. For the second consecutive year, Florida is cited in the top five for its political climate.
  • Workforce Data Overtakes Incentive Information: For the first time since 2008, more than half of corporate executives (55%) ranked workforce statistics as the most useful feature of an economic development website, followed by available buildings and sites (43%). Historically, corporate executives sought incentive information first.
Best States for Business:Worst States for Business:
1.      Texas54 %1.      California53 %
2.      Florida33 %2.      New York38 %
3.      Georgia30 %3.      Florida24 %
4.      North Carolina29 %4.      Illinois21 %
5.      South Carolina20 %5.      New Jersey15 %

For a free copy of the full “Winning Strategies” survey report, visit www.aboutdci.com/winning-strategies.

About DCI
Development Counsellors International (DCI) is the leader in travel, economic development and talent attraction marketing. Since 1960, DCI has worked with more than 500 cities, regions, states and countries, helping them attract business investors, visitors and workers. DCI has offices in New York and Denver. For more information, visit aboutdci.com.

SOURCE Development Counsellors International

CONTACT: Brittany Borsanyi, Development Counsellors International, 561-758-7289, brittany.borsanyi@aboutdci.com