2022 was a year full of wins for the Chamber’s local and regional priorities. These wins would not be possible without the commitment of our elected officials to ensure a positive business climate and the engagement of our business leaders. Our Regional Policy Committee prioritizes housing attainability, development processes, economic development, transportation and infrastructure, and One Region.

Housing Attainability

The Chamber kicked off 2022 by affirming their commitment to attainable housing with the hiring of Craig Logan our Housing Executive Fellow. Since bringing Craig on board, he was appointed to the North Charleston Housing Authority Board and the Charleston County Housing Steering Committee. He has also launched the Regional Housing Coalition with subcommittees that include public relations, funding, technical and policy development to aid in the coalitions mission to be convener of community members, governments, for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations to unify the region’s efforts to provide attainable housing to all people, regardless of neighborhood or individual characteristics.

On the policy side, the City of Charleston and City of North Charleston passed multiple ordinances that will aid developers in increasing the supply of housing including the City of Charleston’s efficiency dwelling unit ordinance and an ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) citywide and the City of North Charleston’s amended definition of density and minimum lot size. Charleston County allocated $23 million in ARPA funding for housing. 

Development Processes

The Chamber had the opportunity to provide feedback on the front side of Mount Pleasant’s new Environmental and Land Development Regulations aimed at offering incentives for adhering to environmentally friendly development standards. A similar feedback loop was set up for the City of Charleston’s fill/slab on grade ordinance. The ability to offer feedback before an ordinance is finalized is tremendously helpful to the business community and we look forward to continuing these partnerships.

Bailey Vincett, Director of Government Affairs was appointed to Charleston County’s Resiliency and Sustainability Committee where we expect the County’s climate action place to work its way through. Charleston County Council voted favorably to strip commercial and industrial requirements out of an impervious surface ordinance and to pass an ordinance preventing mitigation banks from having to seek a variance. This 6-3 vote will ensure the ability to increase the capacity of our transportation network.

The City of Charleston deferred an ordinance relating to architectural merit to allow the business community time to offer constructive feedback. The city also shared a copy of the Technical Review Committee (TRC) organization chart so that members can gain a better sense of who to communicate with when their project is in the review process. 

Economic Development 

The Chamber’s Regional Policy Committee had an opportunity to offer feedback on Mount Pleasant’s new economic development strategy. The Town eventually passed new economic development incentives that included criteria for housing support and transportation costs. 

Transportation and Infrastructure

Lowcountry Rapid Transit received approval and funding from the Federal Transit Administration to enter preconstruction design and engineering. The project is on track for completion by 2028. Berkeley County and Dorchester County both passed referendums to extend their penny sales tax and complete crucial County infrastructure projects. The Chamber collaborated with the City of Charleston to begin to look at Electric Vehicle infrastructure. 

One Region

One Region identified equity and economic momentum as overarching themes, and affordability, global fluency, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, talent and quality of place as action areas. The following lead agents were identified: 

• Housing- Charleston Metro Chamber
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship- Harbor Entrepreneur Center
• Infrastructure- Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Council of Governments 
• Infrastructure (Broadband)- Tri County Cradle to Career

We look forward to partnering with our local governments in 2023 to build on this success. To all of our Advocates subscribers, we wish you and your family a happy holiday!