8300 Dorchester Rd Ste B, North Charleston, SC 29418
Hiring the right electrical contractor is essential whether you're selling your home and need a repair addendum, installing a new EV charger, or updating your warehouse's electrical systems. Sure, taking a DIY approach to some tasks isn't a bad idea, but when wiring and electricity are involved, it's always best to rely on licensed, insured electricians in Charleston, SC. When you need a team of expert electricians with decades of combined experience, no company fills that need quite like Sievert Electrical Contractors LLC.
Here at Sievert Electrical, we've been keeping Charleston and the Tri-State area powered up since 2016, providing the highest quality electrical services for residential, commercial, and industrial needs. Some of our specialties include:
Unlike other electrician companies in Charleston, however, we focus on serving customers instead of trying to make an easy buck. As locals in the metro Charleston community, we know how hard it is to find trustworthy electrical contractors. Like money, they don't just grow on trees. That's why we strive to be the Tri-State area's premier source for reliable electrical contractors who prioritize hard work, fair pricing, and customer service over everything else.
As a locally-owned and operated electrical company, we believe in putting our customers first. We focus on hard work, attention to detail, and stellar customer service to achieve that goal. You won't ever have to worry about unmotivated workers or unreliable service at Sievert Electrical Contractors. Our licensed, insured electricians in cityname, state, are experts in their trade and equipped with the tools to handle all your electrical projects, large or small. From home EV charger installations to upfits for industrial warehouses, we provide peace of mind when you need it most.
At the end of the day, our vision, mission, and values help remind us of what's most important in our industry: you, our customer. As our customer, you can rest easy knowing we'll take all the time needed to fully understand your electrical needs. In learning about your pain points, we can explain the best options to resolve them and provide you with the best service possible. Call us old-fashioned, but we believe in building long-lasting relationships with our customers, whether they're residential or commercial clients. Instead of tricky fine print and awkward upselling, we've built our business on integrity, respect, and customer service. It's really that simple.
By working with our team of licensed electricians, you're giving yourself and your family or employees comfort, knowing that you're getting the best workmanship around. And when you look at our reviews, our customers agree. When you hire the Sievert Electrical team, you benefit from:
It's no secret that you shouldn't play around with electricity. Whether you're building a new pool or installing an EV charging station, hiring an experienced electrical contractor is a no-brainer when your safety is on the line. Why risk your health or a family member's health when you can trust Sievert Electrical to get the job done right the first time out?
Our licensed and insured electricians bring decades of combined experience to the table, as well as:
High-Level Training: Every member of the Sievert Electrical team must undergo rigorous industry training for residential electricians.
Accuracy & Safety: Our technicians excel at attention to detail to ensure your electrical needs are met with care and precision.
Knowledge & Education: Our electricians are happy to share their knowledge with homeowners and go the extra mile to explain the procedures and techniques used to address your electrical issues.
Looking to add value to your home? Installing a spa or pool is a wonderful idea to add to your list. Plus, your backyard barbecues will be much more fun. The process of installing a pool or spa isn't something you can handle on your own, though. You will need a team of experienced electricians in Charleston, SC to ensure your system is set up correctly. That way, you can enjoy your pool or spa for years to come, and it'll be in great working order when it's time to sell.
Installing a pool or spa is a very involved job that includes more than digging out space for a pool or spa. These units are very complex and have a whole host of electrical needs, from heating units and filters to color-changing lights that wow your guests. Having a professional install these parts is vital. Otherwise, you'll be swimming in a dirty, near-freezing pool or spa.
Hiring Sievert Electrical Contractors guarantees your pool or spa will be in proper working order for years and years.
Finding a reliable EV charging station when you're out and about is still a gamble in this day and age. While EV charger availability is improving, most EV owners prefer to have a charging station installed at home. But doing so is easier said than done and often requires the help of a professional electrician.
If you're like most homeowners, you don't have the proper permit to install your own EV charging station. For that reason alone, you need to rely on a pro who has the right tools and electrical know-how to handle the job. Plus, EV chargers need much more voltage than standard electrical systems you may find in your home. That makes installing these devices much more dangerous than average appliances. Hiring Sievert Electrical Contractors to install your charging station ensures it's completed quickly, correctly, and safely.
South Carolina's hurricane season is nothing to take lightly. Every year, homeowners in the Lowcountry prepare for high winds, heavy storms, and even evacuation. One of the best ways to protect your home and family in the event of a power outage is to purchase a standby or portable generator that can power your home when electricity is out.
At Sievert Electrical, we offer the equipment and electrical services needed to keep your lights on during emergency power outages. As an Authorized Generac dealer in South Carolina, our standby and portable generators can give you the power you need when it matters most. Contact our office today to discuss what type of Generac generator is best for your home or business.
It's always a safe choice to rely on professionals than yourself when electrical matters are involved. That's true for generator installation, too. At Sievert Electrical Contractors, our team uses OSHA and National Electrical Code standards when installing residential and commercial generators. We know how to properly install generators, maintain them, and recommend them depending on your needs.
Because we truly care about your property and your family, we always take great care to operate with safety and efficiency in mind. When we're done, you'll know without a doubt that you made the right choice hiring our electricians in Charleston, SC
If you're searching for a trusted partner for commercial electric needs, Sievert Electrical Contractors have the tools, talent, and training to address all of your commercial electric issues. Our team has spent years helping professionals in a wide range of industries, from small offices to sizeable warehouses and every kind of commercial enterprise in between.
Without properly working electrical systems, you can't serve your customers. And when you can't serve your customers, you can't put food on the table for your family. That's why, when you own a business, you need a reliable team of electricians to keep your business up and running.
At Sievert Electrical Contractors, we know how important electricity is for your daily operations. We understand that you need every facet of your business to run smoothly so you can focus on making a profit, not working in the dark. That's where we come in.
Are you building a new storefront or physical location for your business? After your foundation is set and the frame is up, it'll start taking shape. But before you can open your doors, you've got to make sure your building is wired with a functional electrical system. Otherwise, you'll be using candles to light your office.
Sievert Electrical Contractors provides the highest quality new construction wiring for your commercial needs. Our wiring projects are always completed by licensed, insured electricians who are masters of the trade. That way, you have confidence knowing your business is in good hands.
With electrical systems, the smallest mistakes often lead to the biggest failures. In worst-case scenarios, you may have to deal with an electrical fire in your new construction building. Trusting professional electricians to handle the job correctly is the best way to keep your property safe and wired correctly.
Here at Sievert Electrical Contractors, one of our many commercial services involves turning working vehicles into vehicles that work for you. Whether you're an electrician or occupy a different profession, our commercial upfit services will help make your workday easier and more productive, so you can be more profitable.
Our commercial upfits help experts with a wide range of issues, including:
Organization: One of the most common complaints we hear from tradespeople and business owners is that their trucks or vans are an organizational mess. Our upfit services help you get organized, so you're not having to toss important tools into the back of your truck.
Efficiency: With our commercial upfits in place, you won't waste time trying to find all those items you had to toss in the back of your truck. Our upfits let you carry more gear, maximize your space, and ultimately be more productive.
Professionalism: When you travel to a client's home or business, you need to present a proper image of professionalism. You'll give the wrong impression if your work van is messy and disorganized.
Don't see the commercial electric service you need? Chances are we can still help. Give our office a call today and let us know about the challenges you're facing. In the meantime, here are some additional commercial services that we offer:
Are you fed up with spending money on new fuses? Do your employees nag you about weird electrical glitches that interrupt their workflow? If so, it's time to call Sievert Electrical. Our team of commercial electricians will diagnose and remediate your electric panel problems quickly and effectively.
Installing or updating the panels in your industrial facility protects you, your co-workers, employees, and your building from electrical fire risks. Electrical panel installation from our electricians in Charleston, SC is important because it protects your other electrical systems, which prolongs the overall lifespan of your system. Safety is always our top priority at Sievert Electrical Contractors, which is why we believe the right way is the only way to install or upgrade your industrial-grade electrical panels.
Our industrial panel services include:
When it comes to electrical repair services, serving industrial needs is often more comprehensive and complex than those in the residential space.
Industrial electricians must deal with more complex electrical systems. These advanced systems often need different equipment and tools when repairs to industrial-grade elements are required. Unlike residential repairs, in industrial settings, electrical systems are usually custom-made for the facility and include unique parts with higher voltages than in the typical home. And while no electrical issue is good, industrial failures have massive repercussions that can often shut enterprises down when their temperature control, machinery, and automated PLCs are affected.
For those reasons alone, you need the best electric pros to perform industrial-level electric repairs. Fortunately, Sievert Electrical Contractors is here to help. Our industrial electricians have the experience and expertise to tackle the most complicated industrial electric repairs, whether you own a warehouse, medical center, or another type of industrial facility.
Don't leave your home or business in the hands of unqualified handymen or unlicensed contractors. With decades of combined experience, Sievert Electrical Contractors specializes in a wide variety of custom electrical services. We go the extra mile to exceed expectations, because that's how we would want our families treated. Call us today to discover the Sievert Electrical difference.
843-873-6331
At a Special Meeting of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, the Trustees approved by a unanimous vote to amend Men’s Basketball Head Coach Pat Kelsey‘s existing contract.Now in his second season with the Cougars, Kelsey has led the program to 28 regular-season wins (currently best in the nation), and his team spent four weeks in the AP Top 25 Poll. Charleston currently ranks second in the nation in winning percentage, third in bench points and second in offensive rebounds. Next season, th...
At a Special Meeting of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, the Trustees approved by a unanimous vote to amend Men’s Basketball Head Coach Pat Kelsey‘s existing contract.
Now in his second season with the Cougars, Kelsey has led the program to 28 regular-season wins (currently best in the nation), and his team spent four weeks in the AP Top 25 Poll. Charleston currently ranks second in the nation in winning percentage, third in bench points and second in offensive rebounds. Next season, the Cougars will welcome the 40thranked recruiting class in the country, the highest ranked recruiting class in school history.
“This contract extension represents our institutional commitment to Coach Kelsey and his ability to elevate the College of Charleston brand and reputation firmly onto the national stage,” said Hsu. “Unlike many other universities, our school has an opportunity right now to make ourselves a Mid-Major powerhouse, and we – the administration, the trustees and our fans – believe Coach Kelsey has the right vision, the right character and the right energy to make the College of Charleston successful for years to come. I’m especially proud that we were able to leverage our institutional resources alongside private philanthropy to make this contract extension possible.”
The five-year contract outlines an annual guaranteed compensation package of $1.1 million, with a base state salary of $600,000 and an annual supplement of $500,000 from private dollars. The contract also includes incentives for reaching 20-win seasons and a variety of standard performance bonuses for conference championships, coach-of-the-year accolades and NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I have seen how College of Charleston basketball can galvanize this city in such positive ways,” said David Hay, chair of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees. “I saw it firsthand with Coach John Kresse during his legendary tenure, and, many times, with Coach Bobby Cremins and Coach Earl Grant. Like them, Coach Kelsey brings such a lift to the Charleston community through his ‘Our City’ philosophy, and I am proud that ‘Our City’ has come together to support him, both through record-breaking, sell-out crowds and through historic levels of philanthropy, reciprocating his incredible passion for our institution and community.”
“Pat’s energy and enthusiasm has brought this program to a place it has not been in a long time,” said Matt Roberts, director of athletics. “I am excited to continue to watch this program grow under his leadership. Pat is an extraordinary mentor and example to our student-athletes and student body, as a whole. His twin focus on academics and accountability and his approach to being great at ‘the next thing’ are what make him a premier coaching talent. With this new contract, I am excited for Pat and his family, Lisa, Ruthie, Caroline and Johnny. I’m especially grateful to our many Cougar supporters who stepped forward to help the College of Charleston to make this contract possible through significant private support that poured in during the last two months.”
The men’s basketball team returns to action in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, March 5 at 6 p.m. (EST) on FloSports, the conference’s live sports event streaming platform.
Coach Pat Kelsey Comment on Contract Extension:
“Yes, defense wins championship … but so do administrations. President Andrew Hsu, the Board of Trustees and Director of Athletics Matt Roberts flat out ‘get it.’ I’m blessed and honored to work for them. Matt is the best AD in America. Period. Matt asked a group of people in the community for their support in this endeavor and they responded resoundingly. I am truly grateful for their passionate response and generosity. To the city of Charleston, our fans and students: Thank you for your support and belief in what we are building here in OUR CITY. You all have created an amazing atmosphere at The Six. Charleston is a magnificent place that has a beauty, vibe and character like few others. The College is the pride of this great city. Our basketball program is one of the biggest windows through which the world sees both. The buzz in the city for Cougar basketball is palpable from King Street to the neighboring beaches. This is the vision that we imagined two years ago when we arrived here, and while we are only just beginning, seeing the vision come to fruition is so exciting. This community has been so good to my family, and we are blessed to call Charleston home. I will scream this from the mountain top today and forever … the key to all great organizations is its people and their commitment to excellence. We call it ’25 Strong.’ It starts with our players who are very talented but most importantly are committed to ‘TEAM’ and the power of the unit. Our support team of admins, sports medicine, academic staff, compliance, business operations, sales, media relations, facility management, fundraising, and marketing are all terrific. They put wind at our back. Finally, our basketball and strength staff is without question the best in all of college basketball. They are the backbone of our program. God is great. We are on a path to build something special here. Today is another step in that direction. It is with utmost gratitude and excitement that I say these words. … ‘OUR CITY!'”
Tagged with: College of Charleston Pat Kelsey
Charleston Wine + Food (W+F) returns this weekend for another year of indulging in great local food and drinks, as well as discovering the massive talent the area’s industry has to offer. The festival took a break in 2021 but returned in a big way last year with a revamped and relocated Culinary Village that moved from downtown to Riverfront Park, included free family events and had an extensive list of special dinners and chefs.Last year also saw a change of leadership. Longtime W+F Director Gillian Zettler announced her depart...
Charleston Wine + Food (W+F) returns this weekend for another year of indulging in great local food and drinks, as well as discovering the massive talent the area’s industry has to offer. The festival took a break in 2021 but returned in a big way last year with a revamped and relocated Culinary Village that moved from downtown to Riverfront Park, included free family events and had an extensive list of special dinners and chefs.
Last year also saw a change of leadership. Longtime W+F Director Gillian Zettler announced her departure after the festival’s return, leading to communications director Alyssa Maute Smith acting as interim executive director.
Maute Smith officially took the helm as executive director in January, and under her leadership, W+F is emphasizing its focus on residents, the food and beverage (F&B) community and professionals in hospitality. This new direction is seen in the participants, as well as the programming and special community-focused events like the first-ever Street Fest with the City of Charleston and a new partnership with Charleston County School District, Maute Smith said.
Last year saw the relocation of the event’s Culinary Village from Marion Square to Riverfront Park with a larger set up and free access to a food truck rodeo just outside the entrance.
This year, the Culinary Village is getting another facelift by splitting into four “neighborhoods,” Maute Smith said. These neighborhoods in different sections of Riverfront Park highlight different cuisine styles, she added.
“Each one of those neighborhoods tells something about how we eat here,” she said.
One neighborhood, “Shucktown,” is focused on seafood, oysters, shrimp and other coastal cuisine. Next is the “Grillin’ and Chillin’ ” neighborhood, dedicated to Lowcountry barbecue, outdoor and live fire cooking. “Street Eats” is a call to the festival’s Saturday night internationally themed signature event, which will celebrate the variety of world cuisines that Charleston offers. Finally, local farmers and purveyors will get a chance to shine and show off their goods in the “Farm Fresh’’ neighborhood.
A food truck rodeo will no longer sit outside the entrance of the Culinary Village but instead is integrated into the Village in related neighborhoods.
Each neighborhood will also have a small demonstration stage for two chefs, restaurants or caterers to offer “bite-sized demos” of interactive, live cooking with guests. And moving across the Village and into each neighborhood throughout the weekend are three snack carts, provided by Lowe’s Foods. While the bite-sized demos, snack carts and some vendors offer samples of food, Maute Smith said the food trucks and other vendors will offer full meals to stuff your belly even more.
Culinary Village is open 1-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the Village are $135. A shuttle from the Charleston Visitor Center & Bus Shed in downtown Charleston to the Village is available for an additional $28.
The City of Charleston is celebrating its culinary culture with an inaugural Street Fest in partnership with W+F. Three blocks of upper King Street from John to Mary streets with an extension on Ann Street will be blocked off from 6-9 p.m. on March 2.
The free, family friendly event will feature live music and for-purchase food and beverages from local vendors, food trucks and businesses along King Street. Part of Ann Street will be dedicated for a 21-and-over wine and beer garden for attendees.
“This is just an exciting thing because upper King Street doesn’t get shut down very often,” Maute Smith said.
All of the brick and mortar restaurants on that section of King Street have been invited to “spill out” onto the street, according to Maute Smith, along with retail shops and food trucks and pop-ups like Lola’s Lumpia and Bert & T’s Desserts.
In partnership with Holy City Brewing, W+F will have its own special brew, available at the biergarten on Ann Street during the Street Fest, and all weekend at Holy City Brewing and Culinary Village.
“Making our festival more accessible and inclusive is a major goal for Wine + Food,” Maute Smith said. “Partnering with the city and our sponsors makes that possible, and we are excited to present our first-ever free feast and fest.”
In addition to partnerships with Lowe’s Foods, the City of Charleston and Holy City Brewing, W+F is launching its Charleston County School District (CCSD) and Charleston Wine + Food Scholars Program with public high schools in Charleston County. Students from culinary programs at Wando, West Ashley, Burke, Military Magnet and North Charleston high schools will be on-site throughout the festival weekend. They’ll work during opening night, Culinary Village and in the prep kitchen for a paid internship.
“This is a way that we can continue to regenerate our local F&B industry and keep really good talent here in Charleston,” Maute Smith said. “And it’s a great way to really meet that educational pillar that’s in our mission and just one of the ways that we work with the community around. But I’m personally very excited about having the opportunity to influence young students and get them excited about culinary and hospitality and the opportunities they could have in those fields.”
It’s Charleston Wine + Food weekend which means thousands of people will visit the Lowcountry to check out what Charleston-area eateries have to offer. It’s a chance to check out new places, meet new people and learn what Lowcountry cuisine is all about.
Here are 18 restaurants participating in W+F signature dinner events. While signature dinners are likely to be sold out, you can still check out these eateries during the festival weekend. There’s a reason these chefs and restaurants have a signature dinner tied to their name, after all. —Michael Pham
babas on meeting804 Meeting St. (Downtown) (843) 284-6260Babsoncannon.com
Charleston Grill224 King St. (Downtown) (843) 577-4522Charlestonplace.com
Delaney Oyster House115 Calhoun St. (Downtown) (843) 594-0099Delaneyoysterhouse.com
Frannie & the Fox181 Church St. (Downtown) (866) 246-7407Hotelemeline.com
Herd Provisions106 Grove St. (Downtown) (843) 637-4145Herdprovisions.com
Husk76 Queen St. (Downtown) Huskrestaurant.com
Magnolias185 E Bay St. (Downtown) (843) 577-7771Magnoliascharleston.com
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint1622 Highland Ave.(James Island) (843) 790-0838Martinsbbqjoint.com
Oak Steakhouse17 Broad St. (Downtown) (843) 722-4220Oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
O-Ku463 King St. (Downtown) (843) 737-0112O-kushushi.com
Pink Bellies595 King St. (Downtown) (843) 640-3132Pinkbellies.com
Post House101 Pitt St. (Mount Pleasant)(843) 203-7678Theposthouseinn.com
Sullivan’s Fish Camp2019 Middle St.(Sullivan’s Island)(843) 883-2100Sullivansfishcamp.com
The Grocery4 Cannon St. (Downtown) (843) 302-8825Thegrocerycharleston.com
The Kingstide32 River Landing Drive(Daniel Island) (843) 216-3832Thekingstide.com
The Pass207-A St Philip St.(Downtown) (854) 444-3960Thepasschs.com
Three Sirens1067 E Montague Ave.(North Charleston) (843) 573-7204Threesirenschs.com
Welton’s Fine Foods682 King St. (Downtown) Weltonstinybakeshop.com
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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Historic Charleston Foundation is celebrating $75,000 in grant money for its Common Cause Fund.The fund provides partially forgivable loans to people who need help affording upgrades to the exterior of their historic homes in downtown Charleston.The National Preservation Partners Network and The 1772 Foundation awarded the $75,000 grant to the Common Cause Loan Fund. Thanks to the money, crews will be able to finance at least three full-size projects restoring homes in historic areas.HCF Man...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Historic Charleston Foundation is celebrating $75,000 in grant money for its Common Cause Fund.
The fund provides partially forgivable loans to people who need help affording upgrades to the exterior of their historic homes in downtown Charleston.
The National Preservation Partners Network and The 1772 Foundation awarded the $75,000 grant to the Common Cause Loan Fund. Thanks to the money, crews will be able to finance at least three full-size projects restoring homes in historic areas.
HCF Manager of Easements and Technical Outreach April Wood says they launched the fund in 2022 and were able to do five projects for five-family homes.
“The whole mission and the point of the program is trying to keep long-term families in their homes and preserve the character of the historic neighborhoods and the people,” Wood says. “It’s not just about the buildings, it’s about the people and the people make up the culture and the character of the neighborhood.”
The foundation says it is a strict process to apply and get the project approval. People must qualify by their income, have a clear title to property with historic ties and the work must be exterior based. Work ranges from roof repairs to wood rot and window replacement. Each project has a cap of $60,000.
“People submit applications and then we interview them and learn a little bit about the history of the house and their family in the house,” Wood says. “These are very important houses to keep in their families and be able to for their children to come back when they want to and people have invested a lot of money in keeping their legacy and keeping the character of the houses intact.”
One of the main goals is to combat displacement for long-time families. The projects are meant to offset the day-to-day expenses of owning and living in a historic home.
“We know owning historic homes is more expensive generally,” Wood says. “And so we think providing these loans as a way to offset some of those costs to enable people to keep their homes in their families. So what we do, it’s not solving the whole affordability problem, but one by one it’s making a bit of an impact.”
Wood explains that selling the house to someone outside of the family triggers repayment, but until then, there is no repayment on the loan. She says making the Common Cause Fund successful has been and will continue to be a community effort.
The HCF works with Charleston Redevelopment Corporation, Charleston Area Urban League, The 1772 Foundation and construction and design companies. In 2023, HCF and partners have already started on two more projects.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Molly Holt, USACE infrastructure team civil engineer for Hurricane Ian recovery and a Charleston District employee, conducts an Applied Technology Council – 45, or ATC-45, Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Oct. 19. The USACE inspectors are working in coordination with county and state of Florida officials to assess the structures and then forwarding their findings to local county officials for a final decision. ATC-45 is an industry standard safety evaluation after windstorms and floods. In addition to th...
Molly Holt, USACE infrastructure team civil engineer for Hurricane Ian recovery and a Charleston District employee, conducts an Applied Technology Council – 45, or ATC-45, Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Oct. 19. The USACE inspectors are working in coordination with county and state of Florida officials to assess the structures and then forwarding their findings to local county officials for a final decision. ATC-45 is an industry standard safety evaluation after windstorms and floods. In addition to the ATC-45 assessments, USACE is actively supporting FEMA and the state of Florida Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in other areas to include temporary blue roof installations, temporary housing and debris technical assistance.
With roaring winds, relentless rain, and surging waves, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa and Fort Myers, Florida shortly after 3 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2022. For the next 24 hours, Ian would carve a path through the sunshine state, gradually weakening to a tropical storm before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
Following the aftermath, more than 800 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel and contractors, including Charleston District civil engineer Molly Holt, were deployed in support of emergency response operations.
“I arrived in Fort Myers on October 16, and even though the storm was long gone, the damage it left behind was heartbreaking,” said Holt. “All we kept saying to people was that the damage was incredible and not in a good way.”
Deployed for 30 days in support of the response effort, Holt served as the mission manager and training officer for the infrastructure assessment team tasked with inspecting the safety and stability of the structures left standing.
“Our mission was to structurally assess buildings for safety and factor in life safety risks like electrical hazards and access issues,” said Holt. “I was getting chills the whole time. I’m doing my job, taking pictures and writing down notes. It was so hard to look at.”
A high-end Category 4 storm, Ian was the strongest hurricane to hit Florida since Michael in 2018 and the first Category 4 hurricane to impact Southwest Florida since Charley in 2004. The extreme winds, torrential rain, and storm surge caused between $50 to 65 billion in insured damages in western Florida.
For Holt and her team, a greater reality of the destruction was revealed as families began to come back to the places their homes once stood.
“You’re walking through this rubble and not only are many of the homes completely destroyed, but you see little pieces of personal belongings, like broken picture frames with family photos in them, clothes and children’s toys,” said Holt. “Seeing those types of things laying there makes you think about the families that lost so much and what memories and traditions these homes held and now they are just gone.”
An Ohio State University alum, Holt joined USACE in February 2020 to design and inspect projects to support civil works and military construction mission. For her, the work responding to Hurricane Ian magnified the importance of her work and provided a clearer picture of the larger USACE mission.
“Responding to Hurricane Ian and working with other engineers and inspectors from many other districts around the country provided me with a broader view of USACE and our hurricane response mission,” said Holt. “Being away from home and learning to work with people that I have never met before was a valuable experience. Though our part in the greater recovery efforts was small, I’m proud to have had the opportunity to help.”
On Dec. 5, 2022, the USACE Charleston District gathered with stakeholders to celebrate the completion of the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Deepening Project. With the final pull of a lever and radio call to the dredge, officials marked the end of this decade-long project. The Post 45 project deepened Charleston Harbor to a depth of 52 feet, allowing the largest container ships in the world to use the port at any time and any tide. In attendance at the ceremony was the Charleston District Leadership team, Post 45 Project Delivery Team, South Atla...
On Dec. 5, 2022, the USACE Charleston District gathered with stakeholders to celebrate the completion of the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Deepening Project. With the final pull of a lever and radio call to the dredge, officials marked the end of this decade-long project. The Post 45 project deepened Charleston Harbor to a depth of 52 feet, allowing the largest container ships in the world to use the port at any time and any tide. In attendance at the ceremony was the Charleston District Leadership team, Post 45 Project Delivery Team, South Atlantic Division Commander Brigadier General Daniel Hibner, CEO of the SC Ports Authority Barbara Melvin, Congresswomen Nancy Mace, US Senator Tim Scott, US Senator Lindsey Graham, and SC Governor Henry McMaster.
Charleston Harbor is now the deepest port on the East Coast at 52 feet, a milestone definitely worth celebrating.
On Dec. 5, 2022, Gov. Henry McMaster, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Nancy Mace, state leaders, representatives from the South Carolina Ports Authority, and other partner agencies who helped the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, make this project a reality gathered to celebrate the last dredged scoop of sediment in the deepening construction.
Graham, who pulled the lever starting the deepening construction in 2018 in another milestone celebration, stood onstage once again, but this time to help commemorate its completion. Pulling the same lever, Graham made history for South Carolina.
“It is a truly historical moment to be celebrating this monumental achievement. Charleston Harbor has been deepened to 52 feet,” said Barbara Melvin, CEO and president of the SCPA. “With the deepest harbor on the East Coast, we can efficiently work mega container ships at any tide. This investment will bring economic success to South Carolina for generations to come.”
Beginning in 2011, the $580 million Post 45 Harbor Deepening Project aimed to deepen Charleston Harbor from 45 feet to 52 feet. The additional depth allows for the largest fully loaded container ships in the world to call on the port, no matter the tide. With the completion of the project, Charleston is now seeing record-breaking levels of cargo travelling through its port, and new businesses are taking advantage of the depth.
“Many great things come from humble beginnings, and Charleston Harbor is no exception. In 1760, during the age of sail, the harbor averaged a depth of only 12 feet,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Johannes, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District. “Today, the Army Corps of Engineers, working with our great partners, has deepened Charleston Harbor to a depth of 52 feet and the harbor can now safely accommodate the largest cargo ships in the world at any time, thus strengthening the economy of South Carolina and the nation.”
Over 250 years, Charleston harbor was deepened eight times to accommodate the world’s rapidly growing cargo vessels.
“South Carolina can now proudly say that we have the deepest harbor on the East Coast,” said McMaster. “The 52-foot depth gives South Carolina a major edge in recruiting new jobs and investment while announcing to the world that this is the place to do business.”
Throughout the course of the Post 45 project, a wide array of new businesses moved to South Carolina to benefit from this depth. Less than 50 miles from the Port of Charleston, a new 624-acre industrial campus opened with a Walmart distribution facility. Major auto manufacturers like Volvo, BMW and Mercedes located their new electric vehicle production plants in the state. The growth is not only in large corporations, as a host of small businesses who support the growing port have opened here.
The SCPA is one of the largest economic drivers in the state, providing over $60 billion in statewide economic impact. More than one in 10 jobs in the state are directly related to port activities. The port has set record numbers of imports nearly every month for the past two years and recently opened the new state-of-the-art Hugh K. Leatherman terminal in 2021.
The completion of the deepening allows for the largest ships in the world to visit no matter their load, the tide, or the time of day. Before the project was entirely complete however, records for the largest ships to visit Charleston were already being broken when conditions allowed. First to break the record was the CMA-CGM Marco Polo in May 2021, followed by the COSCO Camellia in March 2022. In September of the same year, with a draft of 48 feet, 11 inches, the MSC Rayshmi visited Charleston Harbor, officially taking the title as the largest ship to ever visit.
The USACE team worked tirelessly to complete the project on time and on budget and it was the first large navigation project in the nation to be completed under the Corps’ streamlined civil works planning process. The team was comprised of engineers, navigation specialists, scientists, economists, planners and project managers from across USACE representing the best and the brightest in their fields. The deepening occurred over the course of seven district commanders and three of them returned to join Johannes for the celebration.
Elected leaders, including Sen. Graham and his staff and Melvin, frequently attended meetings and updates with stakeholders. Their attendance was driven by a collective understanding this project had to be completed.
“When we started this project in 2011, we understood that failure was simply not an option,” said Graham. “The future of jobs, in every corner of our state and across a range of industries from manufacturing to agriculture to everything in between, hung in the balance. Today, we take time to remember the important milestones, look back at the hard work that brought us to this point, and celebrate our success in completing this project.”
The project finished the way it started a decade ago, with a radio call to the dredge operator.
Barbara Melvin: “Clamshell Dredge 58, do you copy?”
Dredge Operator: “This is Clamshell Dredge 58, go ahead.”
Melvin: “It’s time to finish what we started.”
Operator: “10-4, standing by.”
Sen. Graham: “Clamshell Dredge 58, this is Senator Graham, let’s do it. Officially finish 52 feet in the Charleston Harbor.”
It was now official. At 52 feet, Charleston Harbor is now the deepest port on the East Coast. Truly a milestone.
