March 2025: Advocacy Updates

Don't miss: Our Good Business Summit is held Thursday, March 6 at the Charleston Music Hall, including a session just for those curious about what advocacy looks like as a small business leader. Come join the conversation with expert panelists! Learn more and register here.

Advocacy in Action: Amplify Your Voice for Small Business Success
Location: Upstairs at Rue de Jean, 39 John Street

• • Jordan Amaker, Director of Advocacy and Communications, Lowcountry Local First, Moderator
  • Lauren Gellatly, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, The Institute for Local Self Reliance
  • Mika Gadsden, Special Advisor for Community Initiatives, The City of Charleston
  • Jaime Tenny, Co-owner, Coast Brewing

Local updates 

• The City of North Charleston’s 10-year comprehensive “Prime Plan” is up for its 5-year review. Share yours at the next public input meeting: Thursday, March 27, 5 – 7 p.m. at North Charleston City Hall (2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406) 

• View the Town of Mount Pleasant’s and City of North Charleston’s recent State of the Town/City updates 

• Heads up: The Town of Mount Pleasant's Economic Development and Finance Committees are reviewing and discussing impact fees in the weeks ahead - stay tuned for how you can chime in if this impacts your business.

 State level priorities 

• SC Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as fire crews reported more than 4,000 acres statewide have burned in almost 200 wildfires. - via Live5News, Read More 

• S. 47: Childcare Business Tax Credits: Investing in childcare benefits everyone 
  “As businesses across South Carolina strive to support their employees, access to affordable childcare has become an increasingly important issue. S. 47 proposes to increase tax credits for businesses offering childcare programs and creates a new tax credit for individuals employed full-time in childcare at licensed facilities. The bill will be taken up again after the Joint Committee on Childcare releases their report.” - Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Take action with WREN’s platform.
  
• S. 244 - Tort Reform Bill: We recently collaborated with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce to release a shared statement on why this state-level issue matters to small businesses. Lend your voice and share your story now! 

Federal stuff worth following: 

• DOGE's Gutting of SBA Threatens Crisis for Main Street Entrepreneurs – via Main Street Alliance 

• “On Feb 18, the new chair of the FTC, Andrew Ferguson, announced that the 2023 Merger Guidelines will remain in effect and continue to guide how the agency determines whether a proposed merger is illegal. In a memo to staff, Ferguson said the guidelines are good policy. This is an encouraging sign for antitrust enforcement in the new administration. The move was a blow to corporations and Wall Street, who’d expected the new rules to be dropped.” - via Institute for Local Self Reliance 

Questions? Input? Email Jordan@lowcountrylocalfirst.org