🌱 2023 Small Business Expo + SCDOT Moving Forward With I-526 Project

Hello, everybody! It's me, Kaytlyn Mroz, your host of the Charleston Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 72 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories in Charleston today:

1. The City of Charleston is hosting its annual Small Business Opportunity Expo on Friday, Mar. 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Charleston Gaillard Center. The expo offers organizations and municipal partners the chance to showcase their services, contractual needs, and any upcoming opportunities to small businesses. Outreach will focus particularly on minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), including Latinx and veteran-owned businesses. While the event is free to attend, registration is required. To register and learn more about the event, visit the website here. (The City of Charleston)
2. Southeast's first Black elected judicial official died at 103 years old on Friday, Mar. 2. Charleston native Richard E. Fields was an alumnus of Burke High School, and after getting a law degree from Howard University, he became the first Black trial attorney as well as the first Balck person in decades to open a Charleston-based law office. As of Friday evening, funeral arrangements are still pending. (WCSC)
3. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has received a project permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward on the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor West Project this year. This permit will allow SCDOT to begin mitigation work that will go towards minimizing the impact of the project on the surrounding communities. The project will include an affordable housing program, business development and education programs, and plans for community enhancements, such as pedestrian facilities and recreation centers. SCDOT says that although the project’s design is final, there will be opportunities for public feedback before construction begins in 2030. (Count On News 2)

Today in and around Charleston:

• Music Bingo And MOR! At Holy City Brewing, North Charleston (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Charleston County Public Works began pavement resurfacing on the Isle of Palms Connector yesterday (Mar. 5) with an expected completion date of Mar. 10. The operation will be conducted from Rifle Range Road to the base of the bridge from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Drivers are encouraged to exercise caution while driving through the construction area. (ABC NEWS 4)
• The Charleston County Public Library has three Storywalks posted at various county parks, including "Yoga Bunny" by Brian Russo at Wannamaker County Park. Head on over to the link to learn more about participating parks! (Charleston County Public Library via Facebook)
• Tackling some home projects today? The Charleston Fire Department shared a post encouraging residents to set aside time to create a fire escape plan with their families. Fire won't wait. Plan your escape! (Charleston Fire Department via Facebook)

That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.