Mt. Pleasant program targets town businesses claiming Charleston as their home base

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (WCSC) - Have you ever heard someone say he's from Charleston, when he's really from Mount Pleasant, Summerville or Moncks Corner? It happens all the time, especially since Charleston started getting so much national attention as a top city and top destination.

But the town of Mount Pleasant is hoping a new business program will draw some of the attention back where it belongs.

Alicia Aloe is the CEO of OpenAngler, a business that allows you to book your perfect fishing trip online. OpenAngler is one of a growing number of nationally recognized companies with a base in Mount Pleasant.

"Really for the company to see great success we have to operate on a national scale," Aloe says.

The Wired for Business program is targeted to businesses that sell products and provide services beyond the region. This can include software, creative design, and tourism companies among others. When businesses use marketing strategies that point back to Mount Pleasant, they are featured in joint press releases to gain national exposure.

Amy Livingston, who is in charge of Business development for Mount Pleasant, says many businesses in the town market themselves as Charleston-based, instead of Mount Pleasant-based.

"The town is only as successful as the businesses and people who comprise them," she says. "So maybe it's Mount Pleasant-based part of the Charleston region, we don't want to take away anything, but it's very important that we create a place surrounding our business community."

Aloe says Mount Pleasant is starting to develop a persons of its own.

"I think it's great and certainly we will support it," Aloe says. "We love being a part of the Mount Pleasant Community and we love being part of the greater Charleston Community as well."

You can contact the town of Mount Pleasant to see if your business is eligible for the Wired for Business program.

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