August 2023: Advocacy Updates

Below are things you should know or take action on right now as a local-independent business owner or community leader:

Local Transit & Mobility Alerts

• The Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) and Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) will host four public workshops to support the project’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) planning efforts. Learn more and attend a workshop.

• From Charleston Moves: “Meeting Street, King Street, Calhoun Street and St. Philip Street are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th most dangerous roads in the state for people walking and biking, respectively. In response, SCDOT has recommended a plethora of bike/ped safety improvements, including a buffered bike lane on King Street from Calhoun to Broad.” Give input to the proposed safety improvements at City of Charleston Traffic & Transportation Committee Meeting, Wednesday, August 9 at 3 pm. The meeting includes 1 hour of public comment.  

Federal Regulation Updates

• New Merger Guidelines Draft Heralds Long Overdue Antitrust Enforcement: In a statement, ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell proclaimed, “For the first time in generations, our antitrust agencies are stepping up to the responsibility entrusted to them under federal law to safeguard our markets and democracy from outsized private power.”

• Pending FTC lawsuit against Amazon, via Forbes and Politico / “The lawsuit will likely focus on a few key elements of Amazon’s business practices: the company’s subscription service Amazon Prime, policies that allegedly prevent third-party merchants from selling their products at lower prices on competing websites and policies the FTC argues force merchants to use Amazon’s logistics and advertising services. …”

Election Season is Coming!

• Several local municipalities host key mayoral, council and other elections this November. Be sure you are registered to vote and that your registration is up to date! Not sure? Check here.

• Save the dates and stay tuned for details on two Mayoral Forums in September:

  • Wed, Sept 27, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. — City of Charleston Mayoral Forum, hosted by Pay it Forward Charleston; Lowcountry Local First is proud to be a supporting partner on this important forum for the area’s food and beverage industry. Details TBA.

  • Tues, Sept 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m.  — Lowcountry Local First and various nonprofit partners will host a City of North Charleston Mayoral Forum at Royal Missionary Baptist Church. Details TBA.

Questions? Input? Let us know.