In the last 2 years we learned that "shovel ready" doesn't mean squat. But "earth moving" is a different matter, and there are several projects that affect the Summerville economy where earth is moving, tractors are rolling, pipe is going in the ground, you can hear it and you can see it for yourself. Here are 10 project you should know about:

#1. In June of 2009, the Rockefeller Group began construction of a 2.7 million square foot foreign trade terminal at their 400 acres tract on the north side of I-26, east of the Jedburg exit. Drop-off Road has been repaved (DONE) and extended down to the property, dozers are moving dirt, and you can see pipes sticking out of the ground. The plan includes improvements to the Jedburg exit on I-26 and a new on-ramp where Sheep Island road crosses I-26 (Maple Street may extend to meet up with Sheep Island). A new road is planned that will skirt the north end of the Rockefeller property and the Hillwood property (Ross Perot Jr.) formally owned by Balcolm Nursery. The new road will extend from the new Sheep Island Parkway to Jedburg road. What is real is the dirt flying on the Rockefeller property. Don't take my word for it - Go see for yourself:
http://www.rockgroupdevelopment.com/sc/charleston_ftz.html

#2. Project Neptune, now identified as TBC Corporation, the owner of Tire Kingdom, has been moving dirt since January 2010 at a 1.1 million square foot facility on Drop-Off road in Jedburg.  The project is scheduled to finish by 4th quarter 2010 and will initially employ over 100 people. In addition, TBC will move tens of thousands of containers through the Charleston Port each year, which will equate to additional jobs for dock workers, truckers, ect.
Read about it at: http://www.live5news.com/global/story.asp?s=11300707

Incidentally, the southern I-26 frontage road, known as Red Bay Road, has been paved to expose new property for commercial development.

#3. 17a at Hwy 61 has been changed and rearranged to accommodate a new Mead Westvaco subdivision and Industrial Park. No dirt is flying at the Industrial Park but the road has been changed and we have a new stop light to deal with at 61 and 17a. In addition, trees are being cut and pipes laid in the ground for lane expansion of 17a up to the new Hwy 61 stop light.

#4. Have you heard of Bridlewood Farms, a 300 home subdivision off of hwy 27 in Ridgeville? 30+ homes have either been moved into, completed or are out of the ground. I'm happy about this because most folks think the earth ends at Old Orangeburg Road. Now the "end of the earth" will be hwy 27 in Ridgeville. In preparation for this expansion, The Summerville Chamber has created a new "nightsville Council" that met for the first time at "The Ponds" YMCA near where Central, 17a and Dorchester road come together. The new council has not formally decided what areas they will serve, but they did invite folks from Knightsville, Jedburg, Slandsville (areas south and west of Knightsville), and Ridgeville. Also, the Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" was held at Knights Redimix on Hodges Road, Jedburg.

#5. Boeing is moving dirt, backhoes are digging footers, and sewer and plumbing pipe is in the ground.# In addition, I-26 is widening, surface streets are changing. Yes Boeing is real and in-progress. Trident Tech is already offering courses that targets future positions at Boeing. What hasn't been in the press is the fact that Boeing will bring other business that will supply them with parts and technical services. Yes Boeing is Real and will bring high-paying jobs to the Tri-County area.

See Article Boeing To Bring 12K Jobs To SC
http://www.wyff4.com/news/21452616/detail.html

#6. State Ports Authority is dredging along the southeast end of the Former Naval Base in preparations for a new terminal. There are still many issues but the project appears to be moving forward.  According to Jim Newsome, SCSPA president & CEO. “Charleston has the deepest channels on the South Atlantic. Charleston can handle 90% of the world's existing and on-order container ships up to 9,000 TEUs. Even before the Panama Canal expansion is completed in 2014, I believe this port will see post-Panamax ships with more regularity and frequency. This is a competitive advantage for our customers.” Why Friday 2/26/2010, the first of these behemoth ships entered the Charleston Harbor with a length of over 1000 feet and a drawing over 45 feet. After the Canal expansion is complete, Charleston port traffic may increase as much as 38%, driving new jobs, businesses, and growth.
http://lac.sc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0690E6FF-6D61-43E0-9755-2CAA3E911862/0/SPA_Summary.pdf

#7. Maersk Line, the world's largest ocean carrier, has signed a new, five-year agreement with the Port of Charleston. South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) President & CEO Jim Newsome announced during his first State-of-the-Port Address to the local maritime community. As you probably remember, just two years ago, Maersk said they were pulling out of Charleston. Evidently, conditions have changed and now Maersk is planning to expand it presents in Charleston, resulting in more jobs.
http://www.crda.org/news/local_news/maersk_line_commits_to_port_of_charleston-1258

#8.  Carnival Cruise has 67 port calls scheduled for Charleston SC Union Pier. The Carnival Fantasy is capable of carrying 2067 passengers. That's more than 2000 tourists per week! Many of these passengers will no doubt visit attractions in the area, stay at local motels, and eat in our restaurants.  In addition, Charleston is building a new cruise terminal at the Charleston Maritime center that may lure other cruise line opportunities.
See “South Carolina Ports Authority to unveil concept for new passenger cruise terminal”
http://blog.taragana.com/business/2010/02/09/south-carolina-ports-authority-to-unveil-concept-for-new-passenger-cruise-terminal-29456/

#9. Clemson announced a new $98M wind turbine test facility to be built in North Charleston. Pier Zulu is being cleared and modified to accommodate the project. The Restoration Institute and its partners have received a $45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which they will combine with $53 million in matching funding, to build and operate a large-scale wind turbine drivetrain testing facility at the institute's research campus on the former Navy base. The Department of Energy estimates that South Carolina could gain 10,000 to 20,000 new jobs related to the wind power industry during the next 20 years.

#10. Canadian apparel importer Gildan Activewear, which recently paid $20 million for the former Mikasa property on Clements Ferry Road, said it is shutting warehouses in Alabama and Virginia and consolidating their operations at its newly acquired Charleston distribution center.

The 580,000-square-foot structure, not including upper-level mezzanines and office space, will be used at first to handle imported socks and underwear for delivery to mass merchandisers and other retailers.

Director of communications Genevieve Gosslin says "Right now, our retail operations are fragmented… so we want to bring everything back together and generate cost reductions but also efficiencies by bringing everyone under one building." Gosslin also said the warehouse gives Gildan ample room to expand.

Conclusion: So there are come glimmers of hope for the Summerville area. The best news for me is that the new city map of Summerville included a Crack Barrel Restaurant where the old Quincy's used to be near I-26 and Main Street. In fact, when I drove by yesterday, a big backhoe was tearing down the old building. Anita and I Love Cracker Barrels. Not all of the projects mentioned are on Summerville soil, but it will certainly impact our economy in a positive way, and it's good to feel the economic earth moving under our feet.