Charleston Currents

FOCUS: One Region releases guidelines for reopening economy

Staff reports | New phased guidelines for safely reopening the local economy provide detailed suggestions for small businesses and restaurants shut down for weeks due to coronavirus.

“It does little good for businesses to reopen only to find there is no business,” said Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman John Hagerty in a recent press release. “With the help of One Region’s re|IGNITE phase one plan and industry-specific guidelines, employers can utilize consistent safety precautions and standards appropriate for businesses of all sizes. Employees and customers need to feel confident their health and safety is paramount. Acting together as One Region, we can reopen quickly, safely, and rebuild our thriving economic and social community.”

The plan, called re|IGNITE, includes high-level recommendations on how and when to safely reopen in a phased approach along with health care metrics from MUSC and best practice workplace procedures. …

by Charleston Currents · 05/18/2020 · 2 comments · Focus, Good news

FOCUS, Palm: Local business leaders need to step up now

By Fred Palm, contributing editor | The Lowcountry is a dysfunctional area because in many situations, the business community organizes “business councils” that serve as sounding boards and advocates for enlightened public policy for the common good to achieve a turnaround. Unfortunately, they’ve been mostly dormant and now is the time for our business leaders to step forward to contribute community service for the common good. Here is why.

The fiction that ‘growth is good’ and that ‘growth pays for itself’ is exposed in Summerville for the shams that they are. All elected politicians know them to be big lies. Only some have the courage to give voice to truth and the reality of numbers – and to come up with workable solutions.

by Fred Palm · 06/11/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Common Good, Focus, Good news

6/11, full issue: Business leaders should step up; Governor’s race; Alaskan cruise

IN THIS ISSUE of Charleston Currents #10.31 | June 11, 2018

FOCUS, Palm: Local business leaders need to step up now
COMMENTARY, Brack: Governor’s races pit establishment versus grenade-throwers
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Morris Financial Concepts
PHOTO ESSAY, Bledsoe: Alaskan cruise
WHAT WE LOVE: Long, languid weeks of summer
FEEDBACK: On Wentworth’s authentic wisdom, ferries and bridges
MYSTERY PHOTO: A gazebo or maybe something else?
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: South Carolina’s governors
CALENDAR, June 11+: Primary elections, jazz, yoga, more

by Charleston Currents · 06/11/2018 · 1 comment · Full issue

FOCUS: Lowcountry Local First makes big differences in 10th year

By Jamee Haley, special to Charleston Currents | 2017 was a great year for Lowcountry Local First as we celebrated our first decade of loving our local business community. It was a year full of gratitude, and time spent listening to ensure that your input and priorities guide our work in the decade to come. We’re not slowing down!

1. We celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a community-wide art installation known as “Love a Local,” a proclamationby the Mayor of the City of Charleston, and by honoring 10 Local Luminaries who’ve supported the local business community in major ways.

2. We really listened. We put a lot of energy into gathering feedback from you to help guide the next decade of our work …

by Charleston Currents · 01/01/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

CALENDAR, July 24+: Books, business and music

John’s Island book sale. Charleston Friends of the Library will hold a two-day book sale July 28 and 29 at the John’s Island Regional Library, 3531 Maybank Highway, to raise money for the charity. Paperbacks start at $1 and hardbacks at $3. There also are lots of other materials, such as DVDs, CDs and children’s books. The sale starts at 9 a.m. each day and ends in late afternoon. More: CharlestonLibraryFriends.org.

Financing a small business: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 3, Trident United Way building, Suite 101, 6296 Rivers Ave., North Charleston. The Small Business Administration will offer a two-hour workshop with financial experts who will share lending options and experience for people looking for business capital. Cost: $20. To register or learn more, visit www.charlestonsbdc.com or call 843-740-6160.

Reggae Nights concert series. James Island County Park. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. with performances starting at 8:30 p.m. for this county concert series with Mystic Vibrations, Aug. 4.

by Charleston Currents · 07/24/2017 · Comments are Disabled · calendar

CALENDAR, July 10+: Business training, concerts and more

Coming events around the Lowcountry:
* Unveiling McLeod Plantation, weekly
* How to write business plans, July 13
* Reggae Nights concerts, July 21
* Financing a small business, Aug. 3
And lots of listings for farmers markets … take advantage of the summer bounty!

by Charleston Currents · 07/10/2017 · Comments are Disabled · calendar

FANNING: The power of minding your own business

By Ben Fanning, contributing editor | I heard someone say, “It’s probably something tantric,” as I walked with my family into a tightly-packed pizza restaurant in San Francisco.

There was a couple sitting right next to us involved in a kiss that was so long I was concerned they might suffocate. The longer the kiss went on, the more people around the restaurant stared. Minutes passed and tension built. Is this even sanitary?

by Ben Fanning · 12/19/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Careers, Focus, Views