MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (June 12, 2019) – Mount Pleasant Town Council amended its business license ordinance,
effective July 1. The new ordinance includes business license
provisions for short-term and long-term rentals. Penalties for late
payment accrue at a rate of five percent per month commencing July 2.
Short Term Rental As
part of the new ordinance, a property owner leasing a residential
dwelling unit for less than thirty consecutive days is deemed doing
business in the Town of Mount Pleasant. A business license is required
for that activity. On May 15, the Town mailed letters to short-term
rental operators informing them of the changes.
Long Term Rental A
property owner leasing three or more residential dwelling units for 30
or more days is deemed doing business, and a business license is
required. On June 3, the Town mailed notification letters to long-term
rental operators, based on Charleston County property tax records.
For more information, call the Business License Division at (843) 849-2786..
CHARLESTON, SC –MAY 28, 2019 –The LDC and the City of Charleston announced today that the LDC, the City of Charleston, Mayor John J. Tecklenburg and former Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. have entered into a settlement agreement to help address the City’s growing affordable housing problem.
The agreement is related to the usage of Charleston Place development project funds repaid to the LDC in 2016. In the settlement, the LDC will direct the majority of the $22.8 million towards helping solve the city’s affordable housing issues.
“This settlement allows both parties to return our focus to what is best for the people of Charleston,” said newly appointed LDC CEO Steve Saltzman. “The majority of the $22.8 million will go directly to helping for-profit and nonprofit developers find ways to build affordable housing in the City of Charleston. The LDC is excited to apply its three decades of innovative community development finance experience to the challenge of workforce and affordable housing in Charleston. Welook forward to workinghand-in-hand with the City to make sure the funds are distributed in the most innovative and effective ways possible.”
“This partnership with the LDC, allows us to not only bring needed funding to address the critical workforce housing shortage, but also to support important projects across the City such as One80Place,” said Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. “Working with LDC, we will utilize their rich experience in providing innovative funding solutions to businesses in the area to now help developers create affordable housing efficiently and effectively.”
Both parties have agreed to the transfer of $10 million from the LDC to the City of Charleston for the development of affordable housing within the City. working hand, the LDC will establish a permanent revolving fund for affordable housing development loans within the City of Charleston with $9.2 million.
The remaining $3.6 million will be used to support the LDC’s core mission of providing small business lending and support intheCity of Charleston according to Title I, and potentially the Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area in the future if necessary to find sufficient qualified applicants.
About LDC
The LDC, established in 1979, is a non-profit focused upon creating wealth for those in South Carolina’s Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Williamsburg Counties, who have historically We look access to capital. As a federal and state certified CDFI, the LDC provides flexible business lending products, alongwith extensive technical assistance, to women-owned, minority-owned, low-income, veteran, and other underserved business owners. The LDC also helps in the funding of affordable workforce housing projects through effective and flexible programs around the great Charleston area.
This is a 6,000 acre Lowcountry eco-paradise in the heart of Charleston, SC. The property features 11 freshwater lakes, a black water swamp, and over 60 miles of wooded forest trails. Charleston Woodlands has a variety of venues and campgrounds throughout the private nature reserve and hosts public & private events, special groups and provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Charleston Woodlands is excited to offer public/private event opportunities and programs providing a unique experience for guests seeking to be immersed in nature while enjoying the convenience of being in Charleston.
Franny’s Farmacy – 473 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina
Grand opening celebration
Thursday, June 20, 2019 – 4:00 PM
About Franny’s Farmacy
ACBD and hemp dispensary, with products grown on a farm in Asheville.
Here at
Franny’s Farmacy we are a communal family made up of farmers and
friends, movers and shakers. We are dedicated to bringing you, our
customers, quality products from seed to sale. We proudly work toward
the grander purpose of revitalizing our agricultural community and
serving as an example of innovative teamwork. Hemp used in Franny’s
Farmacy products in grown, sown, processed and packaged locally.
We are
honored to bring you the quality products, grown by hard-working hands
on Franny’s Farm and by our team of dedicated farmers across the region.
When you make a purchase from Franny’s Farmacy, not only are you
supporting local farmers – you are helping to promote sustainable
farming!
If
you need more reasons, read some of these personal testimonials. They are raw with spirit and compassion and
each tells a very personal story.
Tell me a little bit about yourself:
“My husband and I moved to Folly Beach nearly three
years ago after managing successful careers in Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC.
I am blessed to have been married to my husband Billy for nearly 37 years with one
son and two amazingly wonderful grandsons. I served in a variety of leadership
roles at Bank of America for 30 years followed by three years at the McColl
School of Business before making the move back to South Carolina. I had long
had an interest in serving as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) after I shifted out of
my corporate career, and I was pleased to learn that I did not have to be an
attorney to serve the children of Charleston County as a GAL.”
How long have you been a volunteer GAL?
“Two years”
What was your first impression of the GAL program?
“That an independent and unconstrained view of
a child’s best interests is incredibly valuable to advance the best interests
of each child. I was also amazed by the breadth of content in the training, but
much on-going learning takes place after the formalized training. I remain awed
by the commitment and kindness of my fellow volunteers and the GAL staff.”
What was your impression of the training?
“I was so grateful for the perspective of the
former Charleston GAL director who delivered our training and challenged us to
see each situation independent from other cases. She was also very deft in
getting us to recognize our personal biases and what potential circumstances
would be difficult for us to remain objective in evaluating the potential for
family reunification.”
What has surprised you most about working on
your case(s)?
“I have been delightfully surprised at the
quality and caring of the foster families I have worked with.”
What do you find most challenging about being
a volunteer guardian ad litem?
“The thing I find most challenging is trying to determine the “truth” in each situation as each family member involved in the case is emotionally connected and perhaps even drained during the process which can extend for long periods of time. Individual views of “facts” can differ wildly between family members and their actions can be selfish versus what is truly best for the child.”
How did the outcome of your first case make
you feel?
“Awesome — a family member came forward with
an open heart and home to say they would care for the child for a short period
or forever. I was initially sad that the biological mother couldn’t break her
addiction to drugs and seemingly had no interest in her child. But once I accepted
her decision, the best alternative to find a family placement was possible. After
being adopted, the child is absolutely thriving in the new home and even has a
little brother. The family shares pictures of the child, and it makes my heart
sing to see this little one grow up with absolute love.”
What do you wish other people knew about becoming
a volunteer?
“It can be emotionally draining and can be demanding to truly do the job properly, but the GAL staff and attorneys are there to support you to do the best job possible for the children you serve. Doesn’t every child deserve the best environment to grow, learn and thrive? Won’t we have a better community if each of us does something to break the cycles of illiteracy, drug addiction and violence?”
Caucasian beautiful sad autistic little child looking at the camera very sad
Why did you choose to be a volunteer GAL
versus other opportunities (foster parenting, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, etc.)?
“Problem-solving skills are a requisite. I had
those skills, the time and the passion to fight for the children who needed
someone to fight for them. It feels like a bigger commitment to build a
relationship with the child, but then also interact with the extended family
and family services’ professionals. It just felt right that it was a
tremendous challenge, and I believed myself capable to meet the challenges.”
Tell me about some of the people you’ve met
while working as a volunteer
“First, my GAL staff coordinators have been
amazing partners to help me learn and dissect different scenarios. I couldn’t
serve children effectively without them. Second, the GAL attorneys are so
dedicated and help me learn how to prepare for and represent my children in the
various Family Court hearings. Lastly, I have had the honor to work with two
amazing case workers who were professional, collaborative and totally operated
with the best interests of the child at the top of their priorities.”
Tell me about the child who has made the
strongest impression on you.
“Ahhh, there is this beautiful child whose mother
used drugs while pregnant. When I accepted the case, it was clear from medical
records and physical observation that the child was suffering from many
physical issues. The child was diagnosed last year with a very rare lifelong, genetic
disorder. Now, at almost 2 years old the child has started to walk, is always
smiling and uses sign language to communicate. My heart and my spirit just lift
every time I see the child, knowing that the family truly loves the child, as the
child’s mother couldn’t break the bonds of drug addiction. The foster family
encourages the child’s own path of development and has expressed a desire to
adopt the child.”
What would you say are some of your strongest
beliefs about being a child advocate?
“A successful advocate should be:
Objective
Compassionate
Disciplined
Always
put the child’s best interests first”
What might prospective volunteers be surprised
to know about you?
“Perhaps that I find great joy and delight in
serving the children I am appointed to – this is not a job; it is a calling to
invest in others.”
What would you tell someone who is thinking
about volunteering but are still not completely sure?
“Don’t be scared to start – there are so many
dedicated people to support you and if your heart and mind are open, you can do
this.”
How would (someone) describe you?
“Ethical, disciplined and compassionate. A
deeply loving Gigi to her grandsons with abundant love for her family and
friends. Loves to laugh and enjoy the simple pleasures of living on Folly
Beach.”
How would you complete this sentence? I am for the child because:
“Every child deserves a childhood of safety, nurturing and education.”
Local real estate agent, Leslie Tester, has pledged to donate 25% of her commission to Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. Every home purchased or sold will benefit more than 200 animals at the sanctuary. To learn more about Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, visit halliehill.com
To provide a compassionate safe-haven with quality food and medical care for dogs and cats; a temporary home for those able to be adopted and a forever home for those in need. Our dog shelter and cat shelter near Charleston, SC is a haven for animals and our organization strives to be a safe home for dogs and cats in need of adoption. If you are interested in adopting a dog or a cat come visit us.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina is warning beachgoers to beware after a small number of Portuguese Man O’ War has been sighted.
News
outlets report the state Department of Natural Resources say people
should avoid making contact with the highly venomous creatures – even if
they’re dead. Experts say a dead Man O’ War can create a sting strong
enough to require medical attention.
Authorities say the sting to humans is excruciatingly painful but rarely deadly.
The creatures, which are marine hydrozoans and relatives of
jellyfish, have recently been spotted on Sullivan’s Island and in Hilton
Head.
The DNR says the man
o’ wars are pushed ashore by strong winds and have recently washed onto
beaches from Florida to North Carolina.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two South Carolina brownfields will receive funding
for environmental remediation projects, announced the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s today.
The cities of Camden and Easley are each recipients of $300,000
Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup Grants that are issued by the federal
government each year. These grants help local governments and
stakeholders safely redevelop unused properties, that are contaminated
or polluted, into community assets that attract economic growth and
opportunity. Camden and Easley are two of 149 locations the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected to receive the funding
this year.
“We are excited to receive the news of the grant awards,” said Robert
Hodges, DHEC Manager of Brownfields and Dry Cleaning Programs.
“Cleaning up and reinvesting in Brownfields properties increases local
tax bases and nearby property values, facilitates job growth, takes
development pressure off undeveloped, green properties, and both
improves and protects the environment. These communities have strong
potential for attractive redevelopment and business opportunities. The
money provided by these grants, along with the work that will be done
under the Federal and State Brownfields Programs, serves as a foundation
to generate momentum for revitalization of these beautiful
communities.”
The City of Camden’s $300,000 grant will be used for environmental
site assessments, the development of cleanup plans and community
involvement activities. The site includes part of the city’s downtown
district.
The City of Easley also will use its $300,000 grant for environmental
site assessments and the development of cleanup plans for a site in the
Downtown Easley area. The funding is allocated for planning and design
sessions and community outreach activities, as well.
“We are targeting these funds to areas that need them the most,” said
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Approximately 40 percent of the
selected recipients are receiving Brownfields grants for the first time,
which means we are reaching areas that may have previously been
neglected.”
The EPA estimates more than 450,000 brownfield sites exist in the
country today, and through the federal Brownfields Program, more than
30,000 of those properties have been assessed and 86,000 acres of idle
land have been redeveloped for productive use. Learn more at www.epa.gov/brownfields.
DHEC administers multiple environmental cleanup programs, including
the statewide Brownfield Voluntary Cleanup Program, which assists
developers in revitalizing South Carolina brownfields. Learn more at www.scdhec.gov.
For more information or to schedule an interview with one of DHEC personnel, please contact Media Relations at media@dhec.sc.gov or call (803) 898-7769.
Resonance Consultancy, a leading advisor in real estate, tourism, and economic development for countries, cities and communities, is pleased to announce the 2019 America’s Best Cities, a ranking of the 50 Best Large American Cities (with metro populations of 1M or more), as well as the 50 Best Small American Cities (with populations under 1M).
The America’s Best Cities ranking is the most comprehensive city ranking on the planet, based on entirely original methodology that uses the opinions of the people who matter most: visitors, investors, talent and residents. The Best Cities program was developed to quantify and benchmark the relative quality of place, reputation and competitive identity of cities around the world.
The ranking analyzes and compares 23 factors in six key categories using a combination of core statistics and online ratings and reviews, from TripAdvisor reviews, Facebook check-ins, Google searches and Google Trends. This helps cities, and their leaders, understand their strengths and weaknesses through the lens of the people who visit and live in each city. The Best Cities program has been utilized by dozens of Resonance clients to build a foundation of data from which they confidently launch everything from tourism master plans to economic development strategies.
National Geographic uses the Resonance Best Cities program for diverse global editorial projects—from annual city rankings to deeper monthly travel stories. Bloomberg calls the methodology “the most comprehensive study of its kind; it identifies cities that are most desirable for locals, visitors, and businesspeople alike, rather than simply looking at livability or tourism appeal.”
So without further ado, here are America’s Best Cities in 2019…
“For more than a decade, Resonance has created place-branding strategies, tourism and economic development plans and trend reports for city, tourism and economic development organizations,” says Resonance President and CEO Chris Fair. “We do this to empower place managers and marketers with new tools and perspectives on the key factors that shape a city’s competitive identity, community well-being, and future prosperity.”
Fair says his firm has come to understand that traditional performance indicators alone—economic output, investment and visitor numbers, for example—don’t reveal the whole story for cities and their tourism and economic development agencies. Visitors and citizens themselves are increasingly influencing the identity and perception of cities through the millions of evaluations of experiences they share online with family, friends and people around the world.
“Much more than traditional marketing, these opinions and attitudes influence the way people perceive places and shape where talent, tourism and investment flow,” he says. “This social media data also provides a rich new source of information to benchmark the experiential quality of one city to the next.”
Follow on Twitter and Instagram @ResonanceCo #BestCities
ABOUT RESONANCE CONSULTANCY
As leading advisors in real estate, tourism, and economic development, Resonance combines business strategy and marketing creativity to shape the future of communities, cities and countries. Our services span place development strategy, place marketing, placemaking and place branding. Our team has completed more than 100 visioning, strategy, planning, policy and branding projects for destinations and developers in more than 70 countries. We work with developers, planners, architects, DMOs, economic development agencies and others to make places the best they can be. To learn more about us and our services, please visit ResonanceCo.com.
They ranked the biggest metro areas in the country by the popularity of gender-neutral restrooms and “Open To All” attributes based on Yelp’s data.
For
each attribute, they looked at the share it represented of all
attributes added to eligible businesses that opened since the attribute
was launched. Yelp then combined those shares for each attribute into a
score by adjusting to make them contribute equally to the ranking.
Then they ranked metro areas—core based statistical areas—by the combined score for the two attributes, and used the biggest city in each metro in the rankings. Yelp limited each state to no more than two cities on the list.
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