Charleston Digital Introduces Job Development Incentive

Charleston Digital is pleased to introduce a new business incentive targeting high-wage job growth. The Job Development Incentive (JDI) is a one-time cash payment of $1,000 to tech companies creating new jobs at two times (2x) the regional median wage. The current annual regional median wage in the Charleston - North Charleston metropolitan area is $58,830. This new incentive joins other business incentives available from the organization.

Financial incentives currently offered by the State of South Carolina target companies with 10+ employees and significant capital investment, effectively creating a gap for smaller startups. Charleston Digital seeks to address this gap in business incentives for companies with 10 or less employees by providing them with the Job Development Incentive (JDI) - a one-time cash payment of $1,000 to tech companies creating new jobs at two times (2x) the regional median wage. Further, there is no capital investment requirement.

“Our goal is to help companies reduce startup costs, encourage business expansion and support long-term growth – all while attracting and retaining top technical talent right here in Charleston,” said Charleston Digital Executive Director, Ernest Andrade.

acuCyber, a growing cybersecurity firm headquartered at the Charleston Tech Center, welcomed the Job Development Incentive as a timely and strategic resource. The company plans to apply the funds toward onboarding and training new employees as part of its commitment to building top-tier cyber talent in Charleston. “We appreciate Charleston Digital’s focus on small businesses like ours”, said acuCyber Co-founder and managing principal, Todd Heath.

“When hiring new team members at QuicksortRx, one of the decisions we often face is whether to hire someone remotely or invest in relocating them to Charleston. Relocation isn’t always the right move, but if there were stronger incentives to encourage it, that could make a difference - both for us and for the region,” said QuicksortRx, Co-founder and CEO, Jonathan Yantis.