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Supporting the Cruise Industry
On Monday, June 13, Chamber president and CEO Bryan Derreberry joined leaders from the City of Charleston, S.C. State Ports Authority (SPA) and maritime community to voice their support for the cruise industry in response to a lawsuit filed by the S.C. Coastal Conservation League (CCL) and two downtown neighborhood associations against Carnival Corporation. It asks the court to find Carnival's use of the Union Pier Terminal illegal, claiming the cruise line is in violation of a number of City of Charleston zoning regulations when it is docked at the Union Pier Passenger Terminal. 
Among the allegations are (a counter to each claim is bulleted below):
• The height of the cruise ships violate the City’s height restrictions
o There are commercial cargo ships that have docked at the Union Pier and Columbus Street Terminals for decades (and still do) that are larger and taller than the cruise ships.
• The cruise ships are blocking the view corridors from downtown streets
o Charleston was founded as a port city. There are streets in downtown Charleston named for the wharfs where the ships once docked. As a port city, we would want to see ships from the streets – that means the port is thriving.
• The logo displayed on the side of the ships are in violation of the City’s sign ordinance
o If this is true, then the trucks delivering goods and services (USPS, FedEX, UPS, etc.) traveling in downtown Charleston is also in violation.
• The ships are a noise nuisance and thus violating the City’s noise regulations.
o There have been no calls to the City’s Police Department complaining about noise
• The lawsuit also claims that the Carnival ships are discharging pollutants directly into the harbor, causing potential health issues
o Federal laws regulate what can be discharged from ships. There is a minimum of three miles off shore before ships can discharge. The Coast Guard monitors this issue and has no record of any violations regarding Carnival ships calling on Charleston. Additionally, cruise ships have water/sewer treatment facilities on board the ships that treat water/wastewater so what is discharged is completely treated.
Mayor Joseph P. Riley, City of Charleston called the lawsuit outrageous and abusive. "The lawsuit threatens the redevelopment of Union Pier and the economy of our community," Riley said. "There is a stigma in our community that won't be satisfied until every commercial maritime business has left this community."
The cruise industry has a $37 million economic impact on the Charleston region. It not only helps fuel tourism but also employs hundreds of maritime jobs including harbor pilots, stevedores and longshoremen. In addition, local businesses such as food suppliers, florists, office supply, healthcare and more supply goods and services to the cruise industry.
“The Chamber is committed to supporting our region, the lifestyle, jobs and businesses of our residents. The cruise industry has been part of our working waterfront for decades, bringing jobs and business to our area. It is critical that community and business leaders get behind the Port and City of Charleston and support the renovation of the passenger terminal and the redevelopment of Union Pier,” said Derreberry.
The lawsuit is against a private customer of the Port, not the Ports Authority or the City of Charleston. Carnival has done nothing to violate City, State or Federal laws and regulations – no City, State or Federal agency has charged them with anything.
Click here for additional facts on the cruise industry and cruise terminal.
Click here for coverage of the press conference.
Auction Items Now Online
Join us as we celebrate 238 years and the culmination of another successful fiscal year for the Chamber, at the Annual Gala Friday, June 24, 2011. Each year, the Gala brings Chamber members together for a memorable evening with a black tie dinner, dancing, and for the third consecutive year, a live and silent auction
Auction items are currently up for grabs and include private wine tastings, NASCAR package, dockage at Bristol Marina, spa packages, private shopping parties and more. Also preview some of the auction items being sold at the Annual Gala like an all inclusive dove hunting trip to Argentina, Napa, CA trip, iPad, offshore fishing package and Le Creuset set.
Check it out, bid and win!
The Annual Gala will also celebrate the 1773 Award winner of the year, staff and volunteer of the year award and the Joseph P. Riley Award Winner for excellent leadership in the community.
The cost to attend the Annual Gala is $175 for Chamber Members. Tax deductible sponsorships are also available at varying levels, as are group seating opportunities (eight seats) at $1,500. To register click here.
Ron Jones: A veteran negotiator taking reins at chamber
U.S. Chamber Rep Discusses National Labor Review Board and Department of Labor Activities
The U.S. Chamber's Workforce Freedom Initiative (WFI) led by Glenn Spencer, has been traveling to about a dozen targeted states raising the awareness of chambers and their members about the labor unions agenda and the efforts of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Dept. of Labor and other similar agencies through the regulatory process and/or simply rule changes.
In light of related activities with Boeing and the NLRB, on June 22, Spencer will come to Charleston to meet with Chamber members, and provide a briefing at the Chamber Labor Climate Workshop.
Tim Timmons, VP Human Resources, SC State Chamber, and Eric C. Schweitzer, Ogletree Deakins will give an update on the lawsuit against Boeing and there will be a panel discussing how businesses can plan for the future.
Bryan Derreberry, president and CEO, Chamber will also discuss the current labor issues in Charleston.
The workshop will be from 12 - 4 p.m. The cost is $55 Chamber member, $95 non-member. To register click here.
Tips for Getting Ready for a Disaster
The Charleston Metro Chamber’s Business Continuity Planning Council hosted a disaster planning seminar that provided Chamber members with information and resources that business owners can use to be well prepared for future disasters that occur. Peter Lucash, from Digital CPE, LLC, presented a variety of issues, tools, and tips for disaster plan ning.
The four main types of threats include:
• Fire
• Hurricanes
• Pandemics
• Other accidents such as transportation accidents.
Lucash said businesses need to anticipate risks and the ability to implement a plan as fast as possible for threats that occur suddenly and unexpected.
Four main facets of disaster recovery to address in making your own plan:
• People (the number one priority): where employees will work, how they will get there, what about employees with families, and a priority list of who you will need and when will you need them
• Communication: updated contact information for employees, vendors and suppliers and the tools for keeping track of financial information
• Workplace: physical location, power source, accessibility and transportation, and services for employees
• “Stuff”: storage space for inventory and equipment and IT backup support. The most important thing to consider about IT backup is the recovery of information after it is stored
The Chamber has access to an Emergency Business Hotline that is manned by council volunteers who will be able provide members with information about the resumption of business in the region and access lists of utility and service providers.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also provides free resources, such as the Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Plan downloadable at http://www.ready.gov/business/publications/index.html as well as other tools and tips at www.Ready.gov.
Hurricane season is here, make your plan and don't let it be too late.
Charleston Young Professionals Hosting Non-Profit Leaders Luncheon
Providing needed services to the community. Managing a dedicated group of volunteers. Creating and maintaining relationships to continue the funding of services. These are just a small taste of what it takes to run a successful non-profit organization. It isn’t easy, but to those who work day-to-day to provide to the community, it is a rewarding experience.
On June 29, Charleston Young Professionals (CYP) will host a Non-Profit Leaders Luncheon. The luncheon will give you the opportunity to meet with the directors of area non-profits, get a better understanding of the services each provides and how you can make a difference in their respective organizations. Have you had a yearning to give a little back to the community? This is your chance. Sign up today to secure your spot!
Where: Benefitfoucs, 100 Benefitfocus Way, Daniel Island
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $25 non members / $15 CYP members
To register visit www.charleston-yp.com.
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