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Committee plans welcome packet, flowchart and web resources to help new James Island businesses
Summary
The council agreed to draft a one-page welcome letter and flowchart explaining steps to open a business (zoning, inspections, CO, DHEC, business license), coordinate links to Lowcountry Local First and visitjamesisland.com, and to circulate a first draft by the end of the year.
The Small Business Council assigned volunteers to produce a welcome packet and a simple flowchart to guide new business owners through permitting steps including site-plan review, zoning, county building permits, certificates of occupancy and DHEC approvals.
"If there was a little flow chart that could help people get that done, I think that would be very helpful," the Chair said, describing how the town's fragmented inspection and permit responsibilities (JIPSD, county, and state) confuse new applicants. Members suggested linking resources to Lowcountry Local First and the town's GoGov portal and agreed to collect sample language and resource links for a draft by the end of the year.
The committee also discussed mentoring and triage options (a shared committee mailbox, Google Workspace address, or forwarding of inquiries to a designated member) so that staff can route business-owner questions efficiently. Committee members encouraged the town to add a simple business-intake form on visitjamesisland.com so new licensees can request help and be offered a feature on the town site.
