R. Keith Summey

Mayor of North Charleston, South Carolina

Mayor R. Keith Summey is widely known as a consensus builder among local government leaders. First elected as Mayor in October of 1994, Summey was re-elected in 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. In just a few short years in office, Mayor Summey led North Charleston to achieve a new sense of pride never before seen in the City, spearheading numerous improvements in municipal services and providing a vision for the future of the City.

Upgrading the quality of life of the citizens of North Charleston continues to be the top goal of Mayor Summey.  North Charleston is a very diverse economic community, and each neighborhood is different. Mayor Summey encourages each neighborhood to determine its future, and he guides the municipals' efforts, assisting them with their goals and objectives.

Mayor Summey is also providing the leadership for North Charleston to take the necessary steps to become a vibrant, active community. In 2001, the City began a partnership with the Noisette Company to revitalize 3000 acres on the south end of the City, which includes 350 acres on the north end of the former Naval Base that were sold to Noisette. A new model for planning and economic growth is a vital part of the Noisette redevelopment project where a new riverfront park and salt-water wetland preserve will be hallmarks of the master plan. The plan is already being implemented with 1,700 new homes currently or soon to be under construction.

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