🌱 Options To Fill Budget Gap + City's Affordable Housing Project

Welcome back, Charleston! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 75 Low: 59.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Charleston! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Charleston today:

1. The City of Charleston is currently reviewing options to fill next year's budget shortfall. To solve the issue, the city will need about $7.8 million more for next year. One option is to raise the millage rate by five mills. The second option is to use credits from the Local Option Sales Tax form to fund the budget gap. The city still has a few months to finalize the budget. (Live 5 News WCSC)
2. Four Charleston County schools have been granted funds to improve their library collections. Springfield Elementary School, Pepperhill Elementary School, Burke High School, and R.B. Stall High School received $5,000 through the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries. The foundation distributed grants to 300 different schools in 44 different states this year. Over the last 20 years, the foundation has distributed $19.5 million to 3,300 schools. (Live 5 News WCSC)
3. The City of Charleston is breaking ground on an affordable homes project. The development will build six new affordable homes on America Street through the city's Homeownership Initiative. The project is being funded through fees collected from for-profit development projects throughout Charleston. (Count On 2)

Today in Charleston:

• Mind, Body, And Bank Account At Local Love CHS (5:00 PM)
• Keep Charleston Beautiful At The Department of Parks' Conference Room (5:30 PM)
• Orchestra Chili Cook-Off And Concert At West Ashley High School (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you dreading the act of preparing Thanksgiving dinner? Skip the dishes and consider buying Thanksgiving dinner from one of these Charleston locations. Click to review the full list. (WCBD News 2)
• The Charleston County Public Library is celebrating Native American Heritage Month. Click for a list of upcoming programs, resources, and book recommendations. (Charleston County Public Library via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.