Roofer in Summerville, SC

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - A new facility that just opened on Wednesday morning in Summerville is set to streamline services for online shoppers in the Lowcountry and create new employment opportunities.

A combination of an Amazon first-mile fulfillment center and last-mile delivery station is now open along Jedburg Road. The nearly $30 million center sits on over 150,000 square feet as a site of both sorting and delivering packages up to a 50-mile radius.

The aim behind the facility is to offer company customers same-day deliveries in the Lowcountry. Company leaders say some shipments may arrive at some residents’ doorsteps in five hours or less after an order is placed.

Company leaders say the facility holds a first-of-its-kind robotic technology that is in the Southeastern region of the nation. Amazon Senior Economic Development Manager for South Carolina, Sam Blatt, says the center combines technology such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence to help get the packages out to customer doorsteps.

“We’re combining the technology that we use for picking, packing and sorting items that people order off Amazon with our innovative logistics technology of sorting packages and having those taken out and delivered to people’s homes,” Blatt said.

Over 100 jobs are expected to be available on the site for the local community. Director of Economic Development John Truluck says the development is adding not only labor jobs but also higher-skilled opportunities to the area.

Truluck says the county targets companies of similar industries, such as automotive, aerospace, life sciences, advanced logistics and recreational marines to come to the area. The director says adding these industries to the area is a ‘big deal’ as they provide high capital investments, including contributing taxes to the community.

“It fits in that advanced manufacturing, so this is not just, you know, empty warehouse space with a lot of boxes with a lot of people moving them around,” Truluck says. “It’s got a lot of technology that goes along with it that is really on a different level than we’re accustomed to.”

Truluck says the facilities tax contributions benefit the county resources, such as the school department and emergency services.

The site is also launching a delivery method called Amazon Flex that works similarly to rideshare programs like Uber. Blatt says the program uses individual contractors as drivers to deliver packages with personal vehicles on personalized schedules.

Leaders say the company plans to expand same-day facilities across 120 metro areas across the country. Company leaders say current job openings are offering at least $18.50 per hour. Job applications can be found on their website.

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Somebody who bought a Powerball ticket in South Carolina prior to Saturday’s drawing is $150,000 richer.

A Powerball ticket that was one number away from winning the game’s $120 million grand prize was sold in the Palmetto State, according to the South Carolina Education Lottery website.

The six-figure winning ticket was sold at the Speedway gas station/convenience store at 1518 North Main St. in Summerville, lottery officials said Monday in a news release.

The ticket matched four white ball numbers and the red Powerball number, a feat that has odds of 1-in-913,129 of occurring, officials said.

The winning numbers in Saturday’s drawing were 3, 16, 32, 52, 62 and Powerball: 24.

Because the winner added the PowerPlay option for an additional dollar, the $50,000 prize tripled to $150,000 when a “3” multiplier was drawn, according to the release.

The winner has 180 days to claim the prize, officials said.

The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

“Sign the back of your ticket and put it in a safe location until you’re ready to come forward to claim the prize,” lottery officials said.

For complete information on claiming prizes, go to sceducationlottery.com.

The jackpot for Monday’s Powerball drawing is $128 million, according to the game’s website.

Anyone looking to buy a ticket must make a purchase by 9:59 p.m. Monday for the 10:59 p.m. drawing. Tickets are $2, and could cost more with additional options.

The odds of winning Powerball’s grand prize are 1-in-293 million.

A Summerville hotel near the Azalea Square shopping corridor recently reopened after undergoing an extensive renovation to become a Spark by Hilton property.

A large purple mural now lines the side of the former 84-room Country Inn & Suites at 220 Holiday Drive.

The new Rhode Island-based owner gave the 20-year old hotel a fresh look as part of the move to a new flag.

It was part of a dual lodging sale along the I-26 corridor last year. The properties were sold as a portfolio to the Warwick, R.I.-based Magna Hospitality Group for $14.5 million.

The company could not be reached for comment.

Now proposed

Another hotel is being proposed in West Ashley.

Palas Holdings is proposing a 136-room property at 804 Orleans Road, across from the TownePlace Suites, according to plans filed with the city.

The proposed hotel is less than a half-mile from Town & Country Inn, also owned by the Charleston-based company.

The Orleans Road project is still early in the city's technical review stage.

Plans were filed last year for a six-story Courtyard Marriott to be built down the street by West Ashley Hotel Inc., which shares the same High Point, N.C., address as CN Hotels. It still has not broken ground yet.

CHS numbers

After a slower than normal start to the year, Charleston International's passenger numbers are continuing to ride the late spring wave.

The airport saw 615,845 travelers arrive and depart in May. While it's a 0.2 percent decrease from the year before, it is a half-percent uptick from April's new record.

Free admission

The International African American Museum is offering free admission to celebrate the newest federal holiday on Thursday with its annual "Juneteenth on the Yard."

The program takes place in the African Ancestors Memorial Garden from noon-5 p.m., with live music, food trucks and performances. Grammy-nominated artist Mumu Fresh will headline the event.

The museum also recently appointed Harry H. Singleton III as director of faith-based education and engagement to help broaden initiatives around "spirituality and faith traditions in the African American and African Diasporic journeys," according to a written statement.

Previously, Singleton worked in the African American and religious studies departments at the University of South Carolina, his alma mater, since 2013. He also was with Benedict College for 22 years.

Coffee talks

The S.C. Historical Society has launched a new program to connect with local history.

“Mornings at the Fireproof” is a free monthly coffee meet-up on the patio of the group's downtown headquarters with CEO Elizabeth Chew.

"From local history to community happenings, it’s a welcoming space to sip, share and connect with the Historical Society," according to the group's website.

The series launched June 12. Future gatherings led by Chew are scheduled for July 10 and Aug. 14 from 8-9 a.m. at the Fireproof Building at 100 Meeting St., behind Charleston City Hall and Washington Square.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — In 2025, a record 4.2 million Americans will turn 65 and enter retirement age. For many with retirement comes relocation. Now a recent study from Retirement living says Summerville is one of the best places for seniors to start their next chapter.

Retirement Living is a digital tool that helps retirees or family members helping the loved ones in their life find the best place to settle down based on their needs. To find the best places to retire in South Carolina they said they focused on cities with a population of 40,000 or more, looking at several factors that matter to retirees like housing costs, local senior population, poverty rates, and even sales tax.

They also pulled data from last year’s census to get insights into the number of seniors, poverty rates and medium home sale prices. Among the top spots, Summerville came in at five, followed by Charleston, then Mount Pleasant. Experts say Summerville is one of the best places for retirees due to its growing population, development and affordable housing.

It's senior populations about 15%, so not the highest on our list overall, but still a solid percentage, which is great because if you're moving to a new city, a new state, there's a chance you may not know many people. So living in an area with a large senior population makes it easier to build those friendships and connections and avoid the social isolation that can come with aging,” Jailyn Montero of Retirement Living said.

Summerville Mayor Russ Touchberry praised the study, saying they got it spot on.

“Retirement Living hit the nail on the head. Summerville has so many awesome things going on currently. Not only do we have new shops, new restaurants, new development happening every single day. We have a lot of opportunities from an artwork standpoint. We have a very vibrant downtown community and one thing that I think is important for retirees is public safety. And we have the best public safety professionals anywhere,” Touchberry said.

Touchberry said he’s seen the growth in senior populations and expects it to continue to grow as the city continues to develop more affordable housing options and medical facilities.

“Affordable housing and attainable housing is like a regional challenge right now in the Charleston region. And right now, Summerville has some of the best options for the price tag, which is great,” Touchberry said.

Retirement Living said the medium home sale price in Summerville is about $375,000 and the median rent is about $1,400 a month. The analysts said Summerville tied for second place in having the lowest sales tax at 7%, which can help older adults stretch their budget. Another positive was the poverty rate amongst just seniors is barely over 10%, which is lower than the state's average of 11% which is always a good sign.

Montero said their goal is to bring more awareness to where our most vulnerable populations and oftentimes overlooked populations live.

One five people in South Carolina are 65 and up, so it's little bit higher than the national average," Montero said. "We're seeing South Carolina heading in the same direction as Florida growing in a senior population overall," Montero said. "That means like senior amenities are going to grow, senior events, infrastructure, and when it comes to helping out seniors, that's going to grow [in South Carolina] as well."

SUMMERVILLE — Walmart is knocking on the door to Cane Bay.

The huge mega-residential development in Summerville, slated to have upwards of 10,000 single-family houses and townhomes when fully built out, could soon see a new major discount store near its entrance.

The Arkansas-based retail giant has proposed a 171,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter on 46 acres at 2000 State Road, also known as U.S. Highway 176.

The Supercenter would include a full grocery store, garden center and a drive-through pharmacy that would serve the nearly 40,000 projected Cane Bay Plantation residents at full buildout and more.

Walmart’s application with the S.C. Department of Environmental Services calls for construction of a median- and right-turn lane for access to the store from both Highway 176 and Fairwinds Boulevard.

According to the filing, about a quarter-acre of wetlands will be filled for the development.

“At this point, it’s still in the early stages,” said Mariel Messier, communications director for Walmart’s U.S. East region. “This location is part of Walmart’s broader initiative to build or convert more than 150 stores nationwide during the next several years, bringing new jobs and infrastructure improvements to the Summerville community.”

Until recently, the Bentonville, Ark.-based discount chain hadn't built a Supercenter from the ground up since 2021. The latest, described as the company's first "store of the future," opened northwest of Houston in Cypress, Texas, in April. More are expected to follow.

The Cane Bay store would be the fifth Walmart-owned retail outlet in Summerville and the city's third Supercenter. The other two are at 1317 N Main St. and 9880 Dorchester Road.

Walmart announced earlier this year it was planning to remodel its Neighborhood Market location at 10635 Dorchester as part of a strategy to update 33 stores across the state.

The new Supercenter would add another Walmart in Berkeley County, one of the fastest-growing areas in the state with a projected population of 372,132 by 2040.

Messier said the company factors in population growth, as well as other, metrics when scouting a new Supercenter location.

“We're always looking for opportunities of where a location will be most advantageous for our customers,” she said. “We're just excited to be able to serve more customers in Summerville and bring this location in.”

The Cane Bay Plantation master-planned development was conceived by Charleston-based Gramling Brothers Real Estate and Development. It first broke ground in 2005 on a 4,500-acre tract surrounding a lake with trail systems.

Now an expansive collection of neighborhoods, Cane Bay has undergone a population boom in the 20 years since with its own schools, library and YMCA.

Nearby, master-planned developments Nexton and Carnes Crossroads soon followed suit.

Cane Bay elementary and middle schools, which were built for 900 students each, were already over capacity by hundreds of students 10 years later. The high school now has more than 2,000 students.

The community's retail area has further grown around the rooflines with a Publix grocery store, Parker’s Kitchen gas station, restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and Smoothie King, nail salons and hair studios, banks and credit unions, and a plethora of services for residents such as a veterinarian, dentist and Roper St. Francis Physicians Network outpost.

The median sales price for homes in Cane Bay was $447,550 as of May 2025, a 2 percent increase year over year, according to Carolina One Real Estate. Homes currently listed range from $298,500 to $889,500, the firm reported.