On May 13th, One Region held its first Opening Workshop. The event was virtual. Local residents, business owners and other stakeholders were invited to engage in a discussion that provided an in-depth review of the planning process. Participants were then put into breakout rooms for listening sessions that gathered thoughtful insight into their experiences with the COVID-19 economic recovery.
Kellye Whitaker, NCGrowth-SmartUp North Charleston Program Manager, contributed to the event’s public input component by weighing in on the various issues that currently affect local businesses in the Region. Since 2019, NCGrowth-SmartUp has provided technical assistance to seven (7) growing SC Lowcountry businesses in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton, and Hampton Counties.
One Region is seen as the most comprehensive coalition of business, government, academic, nonprofit, and community leaders in the Region’s history. One Region Roadmap: Opportunities for All is being led by One Region stakeholders Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG), Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA).
The partnership is built on the shared desire of the public and private sectors to make the Region stronger and more resilient when facing major disruptions such as the global pandemic, and addressing long-standing challenges related to inequality.
One Region Roadmap will identify barriers to expanding the regional economy and will provide residents with opportunities for economic mobility. It will have an intentional focus on inclusivity and will serve as a blueprint for continuing the economic momentum our region has built over the last 10 years, while eliminating disparities and creating opportunities for all residents to thrive.
This Roadmap will be built upon the lessons learned from COVID-19 and will look forward by anticipating potential threats to the Region’s economic prosperity.
Click below for more information or to participate in upcoming Region One Focus Groups.