Buying a new home is a big deal. For many homeowners, it's one of the most important decisions they ever make. When it comes to such a substantial choice, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
Getting the answers to those questions can be hard but finding a trustworthy manufactured home company can be even more challenging. Sure, you could settle for a fly-by-night company or a shady mobile home dealer. But if you're like most folks, you want to work with a reliable company that has been in business for years. You need a team of professionals who can answer your questions, address your concerns, and sell you a quality home that will keep your family safe and sound.
Welcome to Ken-Co Homes Inc. - your premier choice for mobile home sales in Cordesville, SC. Ken-Co Homes has been Lake City's go-to manufactured home since 1974. With several locations in South Carolina, we're the first choice for manufactured homes in the state. As longtime locals in the community, we pride ourselves on honesty, hard work, and running a manufactured home business that you can count on.
There's no secret sauce that makes Ken-Co Homes successful. We work hard, sell the finest Clayton, Destiny, Scotbilt, Homes, and treat our customers like we would like to be treated. That's why, when you meet our team for your home tour, you'll be treated with respect and greeted with a warm smile. Whether you have questions regarding financing or the fit and finish of a floorplan, we'll maintain that same level of kindness, courtesy, and honesty. That way, you know for sure that you have invested in a top-notch manufactured home that your family will love.
Unlike other manufactured home dealers, we have a full selection of Clayton Homes for sale with attractive floor plans to fit your unique lifestyle. When you choose Ken-Co Homes, you're also choosing:
We offer our valued customers a $500 guarantee that we will meet or beat ANY competitor who has a lower price on one of our homes with the same options. Don't believe us? Contact our office today!
With decades of combined experience, our team has the tools and know-how to make your buying process smooth and stress-free.
Buying a home can be challenging, especially with travel logistics and other factors at play. Our team can help answer any questions you have about buying a home and transporting it to a park or piece of private land.
When you buy from Ken-Co Homes, you're investing in a high-quality product that your family will love for years to come. With more than a dozen home choices, you're sure to find a new home that matches your lifestyle.
We'll work with you one-on-one to ensure you get the home of your dreams. If you have questions or concerns once you move in, give us a call - we're here to help.
We offer detail-oriented, experienced set-up crews that make living life in your new home easy and efficient.
At Ken-Co Homes, we offer flexible financing options to help make buying your dream home a reality.
Whether you're looking for a smaller two-bedroom manufactured home or a large, luxurious four-bedroom manufactured home, our friendly consultants are ready to help you build the home of your dreams.
"Is there a difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?" is one of the most common questions we get online and in person. Today, many people use mobile home and manufactured home interchangeably. That's understandable because both types of homes share similar features and benefits for homeowners. However, understanding the minor differences can be valuable when searching for a new place to call home.
Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes are built in a factory. Once completed, they're shipped to a specific location where the homeowner will live. The term "manufactured home" refers to any factory-built home constructed after June 15, 1976. That date is when the HUD or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented guidelines centered around manufactured home construction.
HUD code requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a base frame with wheels with a minimum of 320 square feet.
Thanks to fast build times and lower material costs, manufactured homes for sale in Cordesville, SC is often more cost-effective for home buyers. Compared to traditional site-built homes, many manufactured homes can be up to 35% less than more traditional houses.
Any mobile homes built after June 15, 1976, are considered manufactured homes today, though many people use the term mobile home casually. In the past, these homes were used to travel and were more like the expensive RVs that people use today than true manufactured homes. Back then, mobile homes received a bad reputation due to poor build quality, but they've come a long way since that time. Today, mobile homes are safe, comfortable, and structurally sound, with many types of amenities and floor plans.
Manufactured homes are more popular in the U.S. than ever, and for good reason: prospective homeowners are looking for affordable, quality alternatives to traditional homes. That's especially true today, with inflation on the rise, necessitating more budget-friendly options for anyone who wants to put a roof over their heads.
If you're used to living in a traditional, site-built home, you may be wondering what the advantages are of buying a manufactured home. Here are just a few of the most common benefits of buying a manufactured home:
When you boil it down to the basics, buying a new home is all about the money. One of the most attractive reasons for buying a manufactured home is that they are often much less expensive than traditional site-built homes. Today, manufactured housing is considered a crucial part of the housing shortage solution and a viable option with inflation rising. According to statistics, the average square-foot cost of a site-built home is $107, while the average price is only $49 in a manufactured home. Whether you're sticking to a strict budget or your finances have changed due to poor economic conditions, going manufactured might be your best choice.
Owning a manufactured home gives the homeowner long-term living options. Because basic manufactured homes are usually very affordable, families with enough land can start with a small home and add additional units as their needs change. Manufactured homes are also great as starter homes, especially for families that plan on building a permanent structure on their land in the future. Though it could be logistically challenging, manufactured homes can also be moved to a different site if the initial one was on rented property.
Manufactured homes have received a bad rap over the last few decades. In reality, most manufactured homes are purpose-built for longevity with structural integrity. Every manufactured home built today is subject to the HUD code adopted in 1976. This code is the only federally-mandated code in existence. It was designed to ensure that manufactured homes meet strict standards regarding fire safety, structural design, energy efficiency, transportation to home sites, and overall construction. All manufactured homes sold in the U.S. have a permanent red seal to confirm they meet HUD standards.
When you buy a manufactured home, you may be able to move in faster than you would via traditional routes. Some manufactured homes are even move-in ready in less than 45 days. Compared to a traditional home, once a new manufactured home is built in the factory, buyers usually find that installation is a quick process. Once the manufactured home is delivered, utility work usually moves quickly, regardless of whether you're moving to a park or transporting your home to a piece of land. Before you know it, you're eating, sleeping, and enjoying life in your new manufactured home.
When asked about the pros and cons, many buyers cite energy efficiency as one of the most significant benefits of owning a manufactured home. In general, manufactured housing is more energy efficient than traditional because HUD mandates ensure that homes have high energy efficiency ratings.
These ratings are achieved through upgraded insulation installation, on-demand water heaters, and energy-efficient windows. These upgrades often make entire manufactured homes Energy Star certified. It's no surprise that manufactured homes are 27% more efficient than they used to be with other additions like energy-saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you've ever lived in an apartment complex before, chances are you heard sounds and noises through your walls that you never wanted to hear. If you hate hearing your neighbors and despise thin walls, looking for mobile home sales in Cordesville, SC is a great idea. Why? Manufactured homes are typically built using separate modules, which reduces sound transference from room to room. When two or more modules are combined and insulated separately, buyers enjoy an even quieter, stronger home with less outside noise.
If there's one disappointing aspect of manufactured homes, the stigma seems to surround them. Yes, mobile homes from 30 or more years ago aren't exactly marvels of construction and deserve to be criticized. However, modern manufactured homes are cut from a different cloth and are often every bit as safe and luxurious as site-built homes.
Here are some of the most common (and annoying) mobile home myths debunked:
Modern manufactured homes are factory-built homes crafted with quality materials that meet comprehensive federal construction and safety standards. These standards, called the "HUD Code," outline how the homes must be built, including safety guidelines. For example, manufactured home builders must take strict measures to ensure their homes are resistant to wind. In terms of hurricanes and tornados, having such measures in place can prevent a tragedy from happening.
The bottom line is that manufactured homes are plenty safe and provide a quality product to people who want a lower-cost option over traditional housing.
One of the most repeated myths surrounding manufactured homes is that they are in poor shape and have an overall poor quality. Today, many manufactured homes are built with quality materials and care. It's not unusual to find a manufactured home with luxurious amenities and features lie state-of-the-art kitchens, high-end appliances, and chic open floor plans. At Ken-Co Homes, we can provide you with a complete list of available upgrades and amenities for you to enjoy in your new home.
Perhaps it's due to their popularity and lower prices, but we often hear that it's hard to find manufactured homes for sale. As seasoned home dealers, we can say this is categorically false. Whether you head over to Google and search for "mobile homes near me in Cordesville, SC," or simply head to Ken-Co Homes' website, you'll see plenty of homes to choose from. Contact our office today for a full list of our homes for sale!
When it comes to home prices in today's day and age, manufactured homes are among the most affordable options available.
That's because manufactured homes cost less to construct than site-built homes, with the average price costing $92K for new construction and $60K for a pre-owned manufactured home, according to recent data. The cost of a traditional home is much higher, with an average of $408K, according to Statista data from 2021. Even though manufactured home living costs change depending on the community, they're often much less expensive than their site-built cousins in the long run.
This myth parallels the stereotype that manufactured homes are cheap and poorly built. Unfortunately, many people still believe that living in a manufactured home community isn't safe. They think that the parks are run down and riddled with reprobates. In reality, many manufactured home parks mimic gated communities with 24-hour security and mandated quiet hours. Some manufactured home neighborhoods even offer community-wide amenities like spas and pools. If you're a fan of the gated community lifestyle but don't want to pay hundreds of thousands for a site-built home, a manufactured home community could be your best bet.
Are you giving serious thought to buying a manufactured home for sale in South Carolina? You're not alone - more than 365K people in the Palmetto State live in manufactured homes. At Ken-Co Homes Inc., we're not your average run-of-the-mill manufactured home dealer. We only do business with manufacturing partners committed to building top-quality products that our customers are proud to own.
If you're looking for modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, unique floorplans, and homes constructed with quality materials, Ken-Co Homes is the company for you. Contact our office today to learn more about our beautiful Clayton homes for sale in Cordesville, SC.
CORDESVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — A quiet, rural 200 acres of land in Cordesville could be rezoned. But the possible rezoning is causing much debate.The land is currently being zoned as R-15 -- or one house per acre. But the owner wants to change the zoning to Flex 1, which would allow for more development.The owner of 200 acres of land in Cordesville says her family does not wish to sell the property, but residents fear urban development could be on its way. (WCIV)Helen Williams' family owns the 200 acres of land up for ...
CORDESVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — A quiet, rural 200 acres of land in Cordesville could be rezoned. But the possible rezoning is causing much debate.
The land is currently being zoned as R-15 -- or one house per acre. But the owner wants to change the zoning to Flex 1, which would allow for more development.
The owner of 200 acres of land in Cordesville says her family does not wish to sell the property, but residents fear urban development could be on its way. (WCIV)
Helen Williams' family owns the 200 acres of land up for rezoning.
"It was rezoned without our knowledge, and we just want it put back into the Flex 1 that it has been since we owned it," said Williams.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Potential rezoning of 200+ acres in Cordesville could lead to hundreds of new homes
Williams said the land has been a part of her family since before she was born. She said her family does not plan to sell the property.
"We are of course for conservation. We want to see the history of Berkeley County and Cordesville to be upheld and maintained," said Williams.
She said the Cordesville community is a part of her family, and she does not want to change the character of the land.
"We are certainly not for big development, and there has never been an intent to have this property developed. I know people are up in arms about that," said Williams.
But some fear the family is asking for the land to be rezoned in order to sell it.
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"The concern is that there would be suburban development in a traditional rural area, an area that can't support increased development," said Robby Maynor, Berkeley County Project manager for the Coastal Conservation League.
The 200 acres are a part of a larger 1,500 acres that border the Frances Marion National Forest.
"It would be adjacent to Frances Marion National Forest. That is prime wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities. Most importantly, they use prescribed burning to manage the forest, so there would be burning up to the edge of the property line," said Maynor.
The Coastal Conservation League wants to preserve the culture and character of the Berkeley County land.
"This Cooper River corridor is where the independent American economy was born through rice growing," said Maynor.
Monday evening, Berkeley County Council will have the third and final reading on the rezoning.
CORDESVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — A stretch of Highway 402 in Berkeley County is sparking discussion among local council members, residents and the Coastal Conservation League.It's about 200 acres between Bay Hill Lane and Bellomy Lane that's up for being rezoned. Right now, that space is in a quiet, rural part of the community in Cordesville.It's under R-15 zoning, which means one house per acre is allotted.The applicant has requested to switch it to Flex-1 zoning, which Robby Maynor says will allow for two houses per ac...
CORDESVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — A stretch of Highway 402 in Berkeley County is sparking discussion among local council members, residents and the Coastal Conservation League.
It's about 200 acres between Bay Hill Lane and Bellomy Lane that's up for being rezoned. Right now, that space is in a quiet, rural part of the community in Cordesville.
It's under R-15 zoning, which means one house per acre is allotted.
The applicant has requested to switch it to Flex-1 zoning, which Robby Maynor says will allow for two houses per acre.
"Some of these families have two or three kids and they are unable to give their kids an acre so they can build a house on those places," said Councilman Jack Schurlknight.
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Along the two-lane highway, there's only a handful of homes. Maynor, with the Coastal Conservation League, says rezoning could allow about 400 more.
"I’m very big on private property rights – I’m not a pro development, but private property ranks high in my opinion," said Councilman Schurlknight.
The councilman says he'd like to see restrictions in place so historical sites like Biggin Cemetery are preserved.
Maynor would like to see the area stay as is.
"This corridor is really significant for it’s historical resources and those natural resources that a suburban development that would be allowed under this Flex-1 zoning just wouldn’t be appropriate to the area," said Maynor.
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The land is part of a larger 500 acre parcel. He's concerned rezoning could open the door for even more development.
"Having a large kind of suburban style development right there in a rural area at the edge of a historic district would really change the culture of the area and change the character or the route," said Maynor.
The property also shares a line with the Francis Marion National Forest, which uses prescribed burning to maintain it's health -- something Maynor says would be difficult to continue next to a suburban development.
The application has to be read three times before the Land Use Committee of Berkeley County before heading to county council.
Schurlknight says it's looking like it'll be about a three month process, and public input is always welcomed.
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Cane Gully Road is a two-lane road that goes through the Francis Marion National Forest from Macedonia to Cordesville in Berkeley County. Along that road are homes, farms, forests and an Atlantic Building Components facility.In early 2022, Berkley County Council tabled a request to take 50 acres of the forest and give it to ABC for use in exchange for 80 acres of forest off of Wren Road and Bethera Road. Now, they are moving forward and recommending the swap take place.For ABC and its employees, t...
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Cane Gully Road is a two-lane road that goes through the Francis Marion National Forest from Macedonia to Cordesville in Berkeley County. Along that road are homes, farms, forests and an Atlantic Building Components facility.
In early 2022, Berkley County Council tabled a request to take 50 acres of the forest and give it to ABC for use in exchange for 80 acres of forest off of Wren Road and Bethera Road. Now, they are moving forward and recommending the swap take place.
For ABC and its employees, this is good news as the construction company grows successfully. But neighbors along Cane Gully are upset at losing their backyard forest to a company.
Nicole Burbage has lived in the area all her life and now has her own home and land very close to where ABC would build a warehouse and storage facility.
“The majority of the people love the fact that they are in the national forests; we can walk to the Palmetto Trail,” Burbage says. “This is definitely one of the only amenities out this direction. And most people who live here moved here because of that fact, because in theory, if your neighbor is the National Forest, you’re somewhat protected from future growth.”
She says while the land swap does actually increase the forest land by a few acres, it is upsetting to see it lost in her neighborhood.
“We saw that it wasn’t just a company growing, but they were taking over public land that we all love,” Burbage says. “And we use as a natural buffer to the plant already. So rather than having a neighbor down the road, we’re going to have a neighbor in our front yard.”
Burbage is one of a few people who spoke before the council at Tuesday night’s meeting against the plan.
An employee for ABC, who grew up in the area but now lives in Hanahan, spoke in favor of the land swap, saying the growth is a good thing for the 39 employees the warehouse will employ.
“While I understand the community’s concerns, I am very thankful for my job, and I know a lot of people who are also thankful for their jobs, so there are a lot of people’s lives who are wrapped up in this as well that need this for our livelihood,” Scott Goodell said.
The National Forestry Commission has also expressed support for the land exchange. In a letter, the organization outlines that forest land close to the development, like the 50 acres on Cane Gully, often loses some of its “National Forest Character.” The commission also noted that the 80 acres on Wren and Bethera protect more wetlands.
In a statement, the commission writes:
The private tracts are more ecologically significant, and the Forest has determined the exchange to be in the public interest.
Still, Burbage says there are other major concerns with allowing industrial growth along Cane Gully, like safety. The speed limit on Cane Gully Road would be reduced from 55 to 35 if the swap is approved by the council. But Burbage says the old two-lane road isn’t built for 18-wheelers and lots of traffic.
“There’s no way to put that other than the fact that they’re rural roads covered in potholes,” Burbage says. And that’s fine, but when you mix it with large loads, oversize loads hanging off the side of the road, you’re looking at that AM traffic where you have buses, moms, high school kids, all on the road with this plant traffic, literally a road running through the middle of an industrial plant.”
Burbage says that she and other residents on Cane Gully are not against the success and growth of businesses like ABC but want to see the growth done right.
“We welcome growth, jobs are always a wonderful thing,” she said. “But putting them in a location that can handle them, a location that has the infrastructure to handle them, the additional people that may be going, the trucks running up and down the road.”
The planning committee is recommending going ahead with the land swap. The recommendation will now go to the county council on July 11.
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BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Thousands of acres of land in Berkeley County could be rezoned because of “possible procedural errors” from the 1990s, but nearby residents, groups, and a historic monastery are fighting the change.This complex issue began in 1987 when the land was originally zoned as Agricultural (Flex-1). Then, in 1997, 62 parcels of land were rezoned to R-15. According to one landowner, former Congressman Henry Brown whose family has owned over 500 acres in that area since the 1940s, the county did n...
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Thousands of acres of land in Berkeley County could be rezoned because of “possible procedural errors” from the 1990s, but nearby residents, groups, and a historic monastery are fighting the change.
This complex issue began in 1987 when the land was originally zoned as Agricultural (Flex-1). Then, in 1997, 62 parcels of land were rezoned to R-15. According to one landowner, former Congressman Henry Brown whose family has owned over 500 acres in that area since the 1940s, the county did not notify the landowners of the rezoning change. Now, county council is offering the landowners a chance to switch back to the original zoning code Flex-1.
Each landowner has the option to apply for the rezoning with no fee. A press release from Berkeley County Government states the following.
“Berkeley County is working to rezone specific parcels in the Cordesville community to remedy possible procedural errors from the late 1990s. In order to reach this goal, the County’s Planning and Zoning Department is utilizing proper due process and actively engaging with Cordesville property owners.”
Some property owners, including Brown, are pleased with the opportunity as he says the 1997 rezoning was done without his consent or knowledge.
“We’re not asking for any privilege, we’re just wanting our land to be reset to the zoning that was placed on it in 1987,” said Brown.
However, local conservation groups, residents, and Mepkin Abbey are opposing the changes saying the zoning should remain the way it’s been for the last 25 years.
“All of a sudden they wanna undo pieces of property that are right in the center, in the fabric of this historic district,” said Richard Coen of the Cooper River Historic District.
Coen says people have dedicated their lives to conservation efforts of rural Berkeley County and he fears if the zoning is changed, it could lead to possible development down the line.
“To undo that zoning right now after all these accomplishments is just incredibly unbelievable,” said Coen.
Leaders at Mepkin Abbey are also expressing opposition to the rezoning. The following letter was sent to county council.
The 62 parcels make up thousands of acres of land. Each landowner has the choice to apply for rezoning.
Brown’s application was unanimously approved at Monday’s Committee on Land Use Meeting and now is headed to be voted on by the full county council at the end of March. The third and final reading will be in April.
If approved in April, Coen says it will set a precedent he and others don’t want to see.
“If one single property out of those 65 properties is rezoned, it’s sets precedent, legal precedent for all the others. Now, I’m no lawyer, but I know enough about law to tell you we do not want that precedent.”
This is a developing story. Count on News 2 for updates.
Collaborative partners statewide are shooting for the moon to try and create a permanent NASA facility in South Carolina.While the space agency currently has no permanent footprint in South Carolina, a consortium was created in 2020 specifically to expand the relationship with NASA and bring a NASA Center of Excellence to the state.CORE SC — which stands for The Center of Resilience Excellence South Carolina — was founded by Charleston County Government, the South Carolina Aquarium, the College of Charleston, SC Spa...
Collaborative partners statewide are shooting for the moon to try and create a permanent NASA facility in South Carolina.
While the space agency currently has no permanent footprint in South Carolina, a consortium was created in 2020 specifically to expand the relationship with NASA and bring a NASA Center of Excellence to the state.
CORE SC — which stands for The Center of Resilience Excellence South Carolina — was founded by Charleston County Government, the South Carolina Aquarium, the College of Charleston, SC Space Grant and SC NASA EPSCoR to make the center a reality.
CORE SC employees hosted NASA for a three-day statewide tour Sept. 12-14 showcasing the state’s many resources that could support a new space economy.
Board members include chairman Jonathan Zucker, president of The InterTech Group, and Dr. Cassandra Runyon, director of the SC NASA Space Grant Consortium and NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EpSCR). A Center of Excellence is an ancillary NASA operation focused on research to help find solutions to the world’s problems.
The tangible goal is to establish a NASA Center for Excellence at an executive airport — the Johns Island Executive Airport in Charleston County along the Stono River, Aiken Regional Airport or Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport. Ideally, there would be NASA labs at each of those locations.
“We want to have lab space (at an airport) to do things with drones, high-altitude balloons, communication equipment and infrastructure for electric vehicle tools, and to create a satellite program for the state,” said Kevin Limehouse, Innovation Officer for Public Services with Charleston County who also heads CORE SC. “The ask from NASA is for us to do South Carolina’s first CubeSat program, so the lab space and infrastructure at these locations would be for that and all of the tech that comes with it. There’s a real possibility it could be located at one of our airports.”
Yet locations aren’t the only incentives for NASA consideration.
During the multi-day tour, CORE SC highlighted innovative companies operating in the state that could support a new space economy. Parameters for establishing a Center of Excellence include focusing on research and innovation in a specific niche. CORE SC identified five niche areas: Water, Energy, Connectivity, Agriculture and Natural hazards — the acronym “WE CAN.”
“All five (areas) are relevant to South Carolina, and we would work on solutions to these issues here that we can share with the nation and the world,” Limehouse said. “All five are also all tied to NASA’s mission directorate, and we hope to work on solutions together.”
In that spirit, stops on NASA’s three-day tour included agriculture innovators BrightMa Farms in Cordesville, which uses hemp to create industry-grade manufacturing products, and Heron Farms in Charleston, which grows edible sea beans that desalinate water during the grow process — a product that could be grown in space and nourish astronauts.
Other stops included FabLab in Charleston, which 3-D prints building materials sturdy enough to house a lab, Trident Tech’s Aerospace program facilities and The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).
“The crux message is, ‘Here's why South Carolina can be leaders in the new space economy with all that we have going on,’” Limehouse said. “There are opportunities for these businesses to connect (with NASA) and get federal contracts.”
NASA's criteria for creating an official Center of Excellence is that an organization like CORE SC would set up the center first and, once NASA observes its success, the space agency would take over.
“We have to establish the center on our own, start working with NASA on projects with some formalized agreements, and, if everything goes well, it would get absorbed and become a part of NASA,” Limehouse said. “We talked to a Center of Excellence in Texas, and that was their process as well.”
NASA and Beyond
A Center of Excellence first landed on the state's radar five years ago, when the space agency asked to hold a business expo related to the building of its space launch system rocket, said Limehouse.
“We started working with the Marshall Space Flight Center to host a huge business expo and also STEM expo with astronaut visits to our schools, and we just really hit it off,” Limehouse said. NASA came back in force with more than Marshall when the state hosted a NASA regional Conference in 2021.
Through that relationship, stakeholders discovered that NASA was interested in opening additional Centers of Excellence. That's when CORE SC was created along with its unique Center of Excellence model.
The work CORE SC is doing to highlight advancements in its five identified niches is already spurring innovation opportunities beyond NASA — most notably, the Rolls Royce manufacturing facility in Aiken, which is pioneering microgrids for renewable solar energy to power its headquarters and operations.
Limehouse told NASA employees during the recent tour that CORE SC’s interest in that technology led to discussions with Rolls Royce leadership about future projects and partnerships in the new space economy.
“Rolls Royce in Germany asked for a call and said, ‘Would CORE SC be interested in partnering on EVTOLs?’, which are electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles — flying cars — and of course, we said yes,” Limehouse said. “We asked ourselves, ‘Where can we do that?’ The ask of NASA by CORE SC is to develop NASA’s first South Carolina satellite program in the state and when Rolls Royce asked about EVTOLs, we thought we could tie those two together at the Johns Island airport.”
Barzan Aeronautical, which develops aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, is currently building a drone facility at the Johns Island airport; all those endeavors could work together and collaborate on innovation, Limehouse said.
“Satellite programs, 3-D printing, industrial agriculture products that can be grown on the moon or Mars — all of this happens if we do it together,” Limehouse said. “My idea is everything together: a Rolls Royce microgrid to power everything with renewables, a 3-D printed structure that houses a lab for communications equipment and lab space and a 3-D printed buildout infrastructure for EVTOLs and drones.”
CORE SC is awarding $400,000 in state-funded subgrants for projects that move the five niche industries forward in South Carolina.
“It could be focused on solutions in electric vehicle charging for a small rural community, flood map work or anything related to technology transfers that transform inventions and scientific outcomes,” Limehouse said. “The end goal is that we want solutions in the hands of our citizens to improve their quality of life.”
CORE SC holds weekly project team meetings, biweekly meetings with NASA and monthly meetings with stakeholders and partners to share ideas.
Showcasing STEM
CORE SC previously hosted NASA employees at week-long STEM fair to show how students are learning skills for future space economy careers, and a previous CORE SC project included securing grant funding for students to learn at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“We are talking with NASA about holding another business and STEM expo in 2023 with smaller events leading up to it, like small and minority businesses having an opportunity to connect about their role in NASA (projects),” Limehouse said.
That includes bringing higher education institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the table.
“The CORE SC model is to show NASA all the partners that we work with on a regular basis,” Limehouse said.
Any business involved in these industries is encouraged to reach out to CORE SC about their work.
“We want to show NASA and other federal partners why bringing in all sectors to work together creates a more sustainable model,” Limehouse said.
While Limehouse notes that a NASA Center of Excellence is several years down the line, he said it’s important for South Carolina to get a leg up and create innovation in this burgeoning industry.
“This is going to be a slow burn,” Limehouse said. “Federal agreements take a long time, but all of our efforts go towards creating solutions for our citizens, economic development for our state and a chance to do more with NASA. Hopefully one day, they will have a permanent presence here.”