For the past couple years, tourism across the U.S. has been greatly affected by the economy. As a result, many vacation rental agencies have once again discounted their already low prices. Beach rental properties are at their lowest rates in more than 10 years.

Many of these deeply discounted rental properties are available at the Isle of Palms, SC. Located just a short drive from downtown Charleston, the Isle of Palms is one of the area’s best and most well known beaches.

Here, renters can save upwards of $3,000 on a week’s rental at gorgeous beachfront 4,500+ square foot homes. These uniquely decorated homes normally rent for around $12,000 per week, but prices have since been decreased by 25%.

These houses generally sleep around 20 or more and most have their own swimming pools, wireless Internet, luxurious porches, numerous TVs and enchantingly decorated theme rooms. The best part of all is that they are just a short walk from daily outdoor live music, old time ice cream shops and many delicious restaurants.

For those with parties smaller than 20, there are lots of midsize houses and condos to chose from. Three-bedroom, 1,500 square foot houses that sleep 8 normally rent for $3,500 per week but are discounted as low as $2,500.

While visiting, if you’re ready to put the swimsuit and shades to rest, the Isle of Palms is only a 15 minute drive from historic downtown Charleston, SC. Here you’ll find a host of shopping, dining, golfing (nearly 30 local golf courses), and outdoor entertainment venues. History buffs will love Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter of Revolutionary and Civil War fame.

So if you’re ready for that much needed vacation (or staycation), come to the Isle of Palms today and see one of the most beautiful places in the country.

More great news for the Charleston-area economy: Automotive tire industry leader, TBC Corporation, is moving in, creating jobs and boosting the port’s activity.

TBC recently announced plans to occupy a 1.1 million square foot distribution center to be developed in Rockefeller Group Foreign Trade Zone / Charleston in Berkeley County. The 400-acre industrial park is a joint venture of Rockefeller Group Development Corporation and MeadWestvaco Corporation’s Community Development and Land Management Group.

The infrastructure and the proximity of the Port of Charleston complement the planned growth and will allow the companies to meet the growing demand of their customers. The East Coast Distribution Center will primarily support TBC’s wholesale operations.

The expansion of TBC’s east coast distribution center to the Berkeley County site near the I-26/Jedburg Road interchange will provide necessary access to the deepwater Port of Charleston, which will allow TBC to receive product from international as well as domestic suppliers, subsequently streamlining product and inventory management to the benefit of its customers.

TBC’s distribution center will have a dramatic positive impact on Berkeley County, the Charleston region, and the entire State of South Carolina. Accordingly, a collaborative private/public effort was forged to pursue TBC. TBC will be one of the largest users of the Port of Charleston, and TBC expects to bring thousands of containers through the Port annually.