According to the second quarter 2010 ACCRA Cost of Living Index, Charleston’s cost of living index was 97.2, which is 2.8 percent below the national average (100.0) cost of living among the 314 urban areas participating. 

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is published quarterly by C2ER – The Council for Community and Economic Research. The composite index is based on six components – housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services. 
Charleston is below the national average in housing with 92.6 and transportation – 94.8. Yet grocery items are higher with 103.5. 

When compared to the other cities in the 2010 regional economic score card that was recently released by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce – Center for Business Research Charleston’s overall Cost of Living is high. At the same time, incomes in the Charleston region are 12 percent below the national average and housing prices remain above many of these areas as well.  

“We know people want to live in our region because of the quality of life offered by our coastal location. All the same, the region must continue to work to close the gap in income and wages of our area. The Cost of Living Index is a measure that helps us understand how we are doing compared to other regions” said Mary Graham, senior vice president, public policy/regional advancement for the Chamber.

Composite Cost of Living Index
The following is the composite Cost of Living index for selected metropolitan cities:

Austin, TX 95.0
Charleston, SC 97.2
Greenville, SC 89.3
Jacksonville, FL 92.1
Knoxville, TN 90.2
Lexington, KY 95.4  
Savannah, GA 93.1
Richmond, VA 104.4

Raleigh, NC 98.5 

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income statistical division. It is based on more than 50,000 prices covering almost 60 different items. Prices are collected for the region quarterly by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce - Center for Business Research.

The Education Foundation, an initiative of the Charleston Metro Chamber has launched a new interactive user friendly website at www.edfound.net. 

The Education Foundation is a community- based nonprofit dedicated to building career academies by connecting business and education – working every day to improve our region’s schools, learning opportunities and workforce.

The website was created as a part of an overall branding campaign for The Education Foundation and is used as a tool to help communicate to business people, educators, parents and students about school to business partnerships. It also serves as a resource to align business and education to ensure thriving world-class schools in our community. 

The new site includes:

• Keep up-to-date on the impact their collaborative work is having in community
• Opportunity to share positive stories of what is happening in our school districts
• Private collaboration area for educators and businesses 
• Dynamic graphics and video 
• Newsletter sign up to keep up to date with Education Foundation projects, initiatives and events 

“The key to our mission is really using this website to help define what we do – to build business and education partnerships for positive change and help prepare all students for success in the workplace,” said Allen Wutzdorff, Executive Director, The Education Foundation. 

The Education Foundation, an initiative of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1995 to build partnerships between the business community and the schools, mobilize resources and advocate the changes necessary in our community to prepare all students for the careers of the future. 

The Chamber held its annual Port Tour and Briefing August 19, where Jim Newsome, president and CEO, South Carolina Ports Authority gave an update on the Port and how they are trying to attract new business. Then business leaders from the Charleston region took a tour of Port facilities by boat, including the Wando Terminal, the new Navy Base Terminal and the new terminal for the cruise ships.

Click here for more coverage.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League (CCL) have successfully concluded several months of mediation and reached a settlement, ending a years-long battle and allowing Charleston’s new container terminal and port access road to proceed.

The settlement agreement includes a number of commitments from both parties, setting a course for port expansion that continues in the most environmentally responsible manner.

Included in the agreement are specific actions to monitor and reduce air emissions from existing operations, as well as a commitment to accommodate and participate in a regional rail solution in the Charleston area. The Port is also committing to reduce emissions by launching a voluntary truck replacement program to replace 85% of pre-1994 trucks calling on the Port terminals by January 1, 2014.

The agreement resolves the CCL’s substantive challenges against the state and federal agencies’ permits for the new terminal and port access road. The new terminal project is the SCSPA’s top strategic priority, allowing it to handle long-term growth and attract new jobs and investment.

The CCL and the SCSPA agree that this settlement is a fair and reasonable resolution of the claims asserted by the CCL, and that the agreement is no admission of fault, wrongdoing, or liability. The actions in the agreement are being undertaken voluntarily by the SCSPA to address any and all claims.

The parties believe that this agreement and the forward-looking measures it contains are in the best interest of the citizens, the economy, and the environment of South Carolina.

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce was pleased to hear that an agreement had been made and is in full support. 

This paves the way for the new terminal to be constructed without further opposition and it sends a clear signal to the global shipping industry that Charleston is open for business and has room to expand.

“The Chamber has been a long time supporter of the Port and especially the expansion of this new port terminal in North Charleston. This agreement with the Coastal Conservation League is one more step in the right direction for the future of expanding Charleston’s port business while also being environmentally responsible,” said Wilbur Johnson, Chamber Port Development Chairman.

The Dollars and Sense of Green Business: Chambers of Commerce as the New Champions of a Green Economy. Click here to read more.

Clemson University’s Institute for Economic and Community Development and Lowcountry Local First will graduate the first Charleston class of the FastTrac Food and Farming business planning course.

The graduation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Clemson’s Charleston County Extension office, 259 Meeting St.

From farm hands and restaurant owners to a candle maker and a healthy foods school startup, 22 budding entrepreneurs and small business owners have spent the last nine weeks learning how to grow their companies into successful businesses.

Lowcountry Local First is an alliance that educates the public on the importance of supporting the local economy and encourages businesses and consumers to support environmental sustainability and be socially responsible.

The Food and Farming course was tailored for entrepreneurs interested in cultivating a stronger local food system.

The classes were facilitated by Will Culler with the Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia.

Culler is Clemson’s statewide representative of FastTrac, a coalition of education and business groups that helps entrepreneurs create, manage and grow successful businesses.

Such was the demand for this class that Culler hopes to offer similar courses next year in the Midlands and Upstate, and again in Charleston in the fall.

The South Carolina Gubernatorial Appointments Project (SC GAP) launched a drive to involve more women in state government through appointments to the governor's cabinet, commissions and boards. Mary Graham, senior vice president, public policy/regional advancement at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has been nominated to serve on the steering committee for this project.

The commitment of the board, steering committee, and coalition of organizations across South Carolina is to locate and deliver to the next governor the names and resumes of women qualified to serve in senior level positions within their administration as well as positions on boards and commissions under their jurisdiction. In return, the pledge asks each candidate to be open and encouraging of more women in senior positions and boards for which he or she has appointive authority. There is no quota in the pledge or mandate that the future governor hire any candidate submitted by SC GAP.

“I agreed to serve on the steering committee because the Charleston Metro Chamber supports this effort,” said Mary Graham. “Unfortunately, women are underrepresented in our state and our Chamber strongly supports building diversity at all levels.”

South Carolina ranks 50th in the number of women in its state legislature. Women are also underrepresented in senior level positions throughout state government. Some boards have only one woman out of 10 to 12 members. While appointed positions are important on their own terms, they also serve as a means of gaining the credibility and experience to run for office.

A project of the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, SC GAP is guided by a steering team of 20 men and women, a diverse, bi-partisan group of professionals, education and community leaders, and elected and appointed officeholders. The work of SC GAP is supported by a coalition from across the state that includes businesses, law firms, and individuals as well as non-profit, professional, and advocacy organizations. SC GAP has the support of thousands of people and new coalition members are joining the effort daily. For an updated list, to register with SC GAP, to read the pledge or to learn more, go to www.scelectswomen.com.

About The Institute: Founded in 2007 the Southeastern Institute for Women is the only 501(c)(3) certified in the southeast by the IRS whose mission is to encourage and train women to run for office. The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics is not affiliated with any candidate or political party. For further information on the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, visit www.scelectswomen.com.

Charles H. Van Rysselberge, the President and CEO of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce for over eight years, announced today his plans to retire on March 31, 2011.

In making his announcement, Van Rysselberge said that this selected retirement date will coincide with his ninth anniversary at the Charleston Metro Chamber, and his 40th anniversary of the beginning of a wonderful Chamber management career.

Van Rysselberge added, “I seriously contemplated retiring more than two years ago. However, with the onset of the severe recession in 2008, I felt that I needed to stay longer to insure that the Chamber would remain financially stable and to insure that, during the recession, we met the tremendous increase in demand from the Chamber's 2,000 plus member companies for the Chamber's wonderful programs and services."

In addition, Van Rysselberge, who will turn 65 years old in October, also oversaw the Charleston Metro Chamber's recently-completed move to its new headquarters on Leeds Avenue and the drafting of the Chamber’s new five-year strategic plan. He added, "Having addressed those major subjects and other initiatives makes this the right time now to announce my retirement.”

Charleston Metro Chamber Board Chairman Bobby Pearce commented, “Charles has taken the Chamber to new heights of success during his almost nine years at the helm. Due in no small part to his leadership, the Chamber was recognized recently as one of the top three chambers in the United States. In addition, the Chamber has received much additional recognition for its innovative and unique programs and services which have helped to make the Charleston metro region one of the nation's hotspots for entrepreneurs and growth companies. Charles’ leadership will be sorely missed by staff, volunteers and regional businesses alike. We will be forming a search committee shortly to begin a nationwide search for a new President and CEO of the Chamber.”

Immediate Past Chamber Board Chairman David Maybank III said, “I want to extend my personal thanks to Charles who has made a complex and difficult job look easy. He seemed to effortlessly coordinate on a day-to-day basis the Chamber's staff, board, and business membership, all the while planning and implementing long-term strategic moves for the benefit of the Chamber's membership and the region as a whole. It has indeed been a pleasure to work with Charles, and I thank him for his dedication, leadership, and constant support of our business community.”

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce announced its new board of directors for its fiscal year 2010 - 11, which began on July 1, 2010. The Chamber welcomes new Chairman of the Board, Robert W. Pearce, Jr., Nelson Mullins Law Firm, who will serve for one year.  

Click here to see the Board of Directors.

Everyone has a dream ore great idea, what’s yours? South Carolina residents can win $20,000 in cash prizes for the best business idea through the New Ideas SC Contest, which kicks-off Thursday, July 15, 2010.

This is the sixth time for the New Ideas SC Contest to foster entrepreneurism in South Carolina Participants can enter their idea at www.NewIdeasSC.com from July 15 – September 20, 2010. The winners will be announced at the Small Business Innovation Summit and Expo in Charleston on November 3, 2010. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 of seed money for their business idea, a scholarship to a FastTrac® entrepreneurial training program, tickets to the Small Business Innovation Summit and Expo and a Dream Team of Mentors to help the winner cultivate their idea.  

Five first place prizes of $2,500 will be awarded in the categories of Bio-Science, Software/Information Technology, Engineering, Environmental Sustainability and Wild Card. Each winner will receive a scholarship to FastTrac® and tickets to the Small Business Innovation Summit and Expo. There will be five $1,000 honorable mention prizes distributed as well as in each category. 

Winners will be chosen based on the idea’s viability, innovation/vision and profit/revenue potential.

Henry Hay, owner of the Muhler Company in Charleston County, won the grand prize in the last contest for his idea for the ‘Storm Stud’. Since the contest, this revolutionary new product has gone into production and is now available to customers. The Storm Stud offers coastal home owners the latest in built in hurricane protection for their existing homes with lightweight storm panels that can be carried under one arm.

“We are looking for those business ideas that can bring new jobs, new energy, new talents, new life and new wealth to South Carolina” said Mary Dickerson, Coordinator of the New Ideas SC contest. “Thanks to the gracious support of our primary sponsor: SC Launch® we are able to offer this opportunity. Other sponsors include: FastTracSC, ThinkTEC, OrangeCoat, TWIF Marketing and New Carolina.” 

So what are you waiting for? Enter your Idea at www.NewIdeasSC.com by September 20, 2010 for a chance to win!