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!

Click here to read more.

The Chamber presented Frank S. Hanckel Jr., past president and CEO of Coburg Dairy Inc. with the 2010 Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award at the Chamber’s 237th Annual Meeting & Gala on July 9. This prestigious award is given each year to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and uses their skills to make this region a better place. 

Hanckel is a lifelong resident of Charleston and has served in leadership capacities in countless organizations as well as past chairman of the board for the Chamber in 1973. He has been an exemplary role model in every organization he has served in including Trident United Way, March of Dimes, Lowcountry Red Cross, Charleston County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Commission, Charleston Clean City Commission, Charleston Rotary Club and South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

A graduate of Clemson University in 1955, Hanckel went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army. He is also a recipient of Clemson’s Distinguished Alumni.  

“Frank Hanckel is a man of rare integrity, kindness, ability, leadership and vision. He has been an extraordinary example for those who have served with him and followed in his very significant footsteps,” said nominator Frank Lucas, FAIE.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors commends Frank Hankel for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the Charleston community. He has been a trusted resource for the Charleston region’s and a highly regarded member of the business community.

The Joseph P. Riley Award was created in 1992 by the Chamber’s Board of Directors in honor of one of our finest citizens and leaders. This prestigious award is given each year to an individual, who like “Big Joe,” demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and uses their skills to make this region a better place. 

Check out the July issue of Charleston Magazine for the 35th anniversary edition with a great article on a look at our current position, the new map for success, and the roadblocks that could impede progress. Click here to read more.

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce concluded its 11th annual Total Resource Campaign (TRC) Tuesday night with Bobby Pearce of Nelson Mullins Law Firm, 2010 TRC chairman, reporting that Chamber volunteers had raised a record $2,668,019, exceeding their goal of $2.54 million. 

“After a very challenging couple of years economically, it was incredible to see once again the Charleston metro business community coming together to support this great Chamber,” said Bobby Pearce, 2010 TRC chairman. “The theme for the 2010 campaign was ‘Taking Care of Business’ which is what Chamber volunteers have done. With a very strong last-minute push, the volunteers and businesses helped us exceed a goal many thought unobtainable and, by doing so, have provided the tremendous resources needed so that the Chamber's programs and services can meet the growing demand for support and leadership from Charleston area businesses.”

Over 17 weeks, more than 280 volunteers and 90 corporate teams helped raised money to support Chamber programs and initiatives through memberships, sponsorships, donations and advertising sales. Investments in the Chamber facilitated through TRC have a powerful and positive impact on education, economic development, public policy, regional advancement and many other areas of economic growth for the Charleston region. Funds from TRC will support vital programs and initiatives and finance new and existing programs of the Chamber to carry out their mission.

The Campaign Leadership team went into the campaign with the goal of broadening the base of both volunteers and customers. The result was a 31 percent increase in producing volunteers; 167 in 2009 versus 218 in 2010. In addition, the campaign resulted in a 13 percent increase in the customer base; 522 organizations in 2009 versus 592 in 2010.  

Chamber Board Chairman, David Maybank III said he picked the right person to chair the 2010 TRC and how appreciative he is of the leadership displayed by Bobby Pearce.

“The funds raised this year is a true testament of the strength of the business community and support for the Chamber in moving forward in our efforts to serve as the catalyst for advancing our region's economy, improving our quality of life and enhancing our members' success,” said Charles Van Rysselberge, president and CEO of the Chamber.

2010 team leadership includes:
Bobby Pearce, Nelson Mullins Law Firm - Chairman 
Cheryl Clark, Holiday Inn Express North Charleston
Larry Collett, WCBD-TV, Channel 2
Marcus DeBiasi, Rick Hendrick Imports
Karen Elsey, Laura Alberts, Tasteful Options
Kent Floyd, Total Comfort
Bill Goodwin, The Goodwin Group Inc. 
Bridget Hearn-Simmons, South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Michelle Kelly, ClearChannel Communications 
Richard Moore, Kestrel Horizons LLC
John Osborne, Osborne & Osborne
Mary Porter, Porter Consulting Group
Shannon Seabrook Smoak, National Bank of South Carolina
Chamber Board of Directors Campaign Chair- Laura Varn, Santee Cooper
Education Foundation Board Campaign Leadership- Henry Givens, First Citizens and Ann Marconi, EXIT Realty
Power of Partnerships Campaign Chair- Bill Moody, WAM, LLC
Resource Development Vice Chair- Ron Jones, Clawson & Staubes

Click here to read more.