Generation Charleston is asking the region’s employers to send their summer interns and emerging leaders to Generation Charleston Night at Power Park June 17.

Let’s show them why Charleston is a great place for living, working and playing!

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the Power take on the Lakewood Blueclaws at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets are $15. The price includes admission, food (hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, pulled pork and more) and beverages (keg beer, soda and water).

Click here to pre-register. Tickets also are available at the gate.

Fireworks follow the game.

Join us from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3 at Live on the Levee for Generation Charleston’s First Friday!

Live on the Levee happens at Haddad Riverfront Park, and GC has an area sectioned off at the overlook near Court Street, which resembles the shape of a boat’s bow. Look for the GC banner!

The concert will feature Mother’s Nature, a variety band whose tunes includes dance, pop, classic rock, blues, funk, R&B and Motown. In addition, a Special Olympics Ceremony will kick off the 2011 Summer Games.

First Friday is a great networking opportunity that gives you the opportunity to meet new people and socialize, all while enjoying a cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres. Admission is free and open to the public. Let’s show everyone why Charleston is such a great place to live, work and play!

Please note that while First Friday ends at 7:30 p.m., Live on the Levee continues until 10 p.m.

The story below appeared in yesterday’s Charleston Daily Mail. Generation Charleston, the Alliance’s emerging leaders group, has been working to promote downtown housing for four years and is hosting an Urban Living event later this summer.

By Paul Fallon
Daily Mail Staff

Ryan White, a member of an organization dedicated to attracting young people to the city of Charleston, believes urban-minded professionals are itching to move into the downtown.

That’s if affordable housing can be found. And White, cochairman of Generation Charleston, believes that is something the downtown area lacks.

But he believes one development in the city is a step in the right direction. Bill Turner, co-owner of the Loewenstein Building on Capitol Street, bought the large, historic structure about two years ago with the intentions of creating loft apartments for young, urban professionals.

And the effort is beginning to pay off after the renovations were completed a few months ago. Turner has rented 22 of the 24 apartments in the five-story building that sits in the heart of the city’s Village District.

“Our occupants are people that want to live, work and play downtown,” Turner said.

White agreed, saying the types of people who are attracted to downtown are typically young, about 30, and childless. They’re the ones who want to walk to their favorite haunts around the city.

“These are the people that want the convenience of going to dinner, or going to work and not having to drive to get there,” White said.

Although he has no specific evidence to back up his assumption, White believes that more affordable housing in downtown will be available for those who want to take advantage of the convenience of urban life.

However, Turner, a developer of both commercial and residential property, does not think an abundance of housing in the city will soon become available. He pointed out that developers must be able to find buildings they can turn into apartments at a reasonable price to make them affordable to tenants.

“This is the biggest challenge that needs to be overcome,” he said.  

And if developers can vault themselves over that hurdle then the benefits would be great for the city, White said. Affordable downtown housing could encourage professionals who already live in the area to stay in Charleston, and it could also help to attract people from other communities to the city, he said.

Both of these factors would help to increase the population of both the city and county, he said.

White and Turner agree that keeping the housing affordable is the key to attracting tenants. And Turner believes he is doing that.

For example, a single bedroom loft in the Lowenstein Building is $777 per month, Turner said.

“And all the tenant pays is electric,” he said.

However, that does not include cable or Internet service, Turner said.

The two-bedroom units, of which there are eight in the building, run $856 a month. However, only the one-bedroom apartments are currently available, he said.

Turner believes this illustrates that the apartments are affordable because it did not take them long to be rented.

Turner has also made a significant investment into the city. From acquisition of the building to renovations, the project cost about $2 million, Turner said.

The building is old, having been built in 1900, and there are many challenges associated with renovating a historic structure, he said.

Because it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, rules must be observed when renovating the building. For example, renovations must adhere as closely as possible to the original architecture of the building.

“We had to follow the state culture and history rules, Charleston Urban Renewal Authority Rules and city council rules,” Turner said. (more…)

Generation Charleston has adopted a block – more specifically, Edgewood Drive.

Every third Saturday of the month from April to October, GC volunteers will engage residents on that stretch to take an active role in “maintaining their piece of Charleston,” said Megan Tarbett, co-captain of the Community Outreach Team.

The next effort is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21.

The Adopt-A-Block program is modeled after the Adopt-A-Highway program. Generation Charleston is in charge of monthly maintenance, including trash pick-up, leaf removal and larger beautification projects. Volunteers also hope to interact with residents and welcome them to participate.

To volunteer, contact Tarbett at Megan.H.Tarbett@wv.gov.

First Friday goes to Little India Lounge on May 6! Share the good times and come join Generation Charleston for fun, food and spirits!

First Friday runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Little India Lounge is located upstairs at Little India, where west meets east for authentic Indian cuisine. (Washington Street East, across from Tricky Fish)

Parking available in Little India’s lot off of Elizabeth Street, behind the Red Carpet Lounge.

And invite your friends!

Registration is underway for Generation West Virginia’s Young Leaders Conference May 12 at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, W.Va.

In its fourth year, the annual conference will focus on the persistence, opportunity and progress of young leaders in the Mountain State. Sessions will focus on professional development, entrepreneurship, leadership, economic development. The conference will include panel discussions on how companies select their next set of leaders and how best to achieve a work-life balance.

“For young professionals, the benefit of attending the Young Leaders Conference is two-fold: extraordinary professional development and networking opportunities,” said Conference Co-Chair Brooke Pauley, a member of Generation Charleston. “Conference attendees are expected from all dozen regional groups – from Bluefield to Wheeling and Martinsburg to Huntington.”

Last year’s conference drew more than 200 young professionals from a plethora of careers and industries.

Confirmed speakers include Nikki Bowman, editor of WV LIVING magazine; Emily Bennington, co-author of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up in Your First Real Job; R.B. Seem, vice-president of commercial lending at MVB Bank Inc.; Russ Lorince, director of economic development at West Virginia University; Steve Roberts, president of West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; Jack Thompson, public relations coordinator at Chesapeake Energy; Maria Mancini, director for West Virginia University Hospitals Center for Education and Organizational Development; Rick Adams Jr., president of United Bank; and Keith Pauley, president of Matric Research.  

Those looking to gain valuable leadership skills and meet fellow young professionals who have a passion for West Virginia are encouraged to register for the Young Leaders Conference. Whether a member of local young talent organization or just want to learn more, individuals are urged to register today for the conference at www.generationwestvirginia.com. 

Registration is $115. New this year for companies is a corporate discount. Companies sending more than five employees to the conference receive a discount on registration. Scholarships are also offered to those who exhibit financial need. Additional details on the corporate discount and scholarships can be found on Generation West Virginia’s website.

Generation West Virginia is partnering once again with The State Journal to host the Generation Next: 40 Under 40 reception the evening of May 12 following the conference, highlighting the 40 young leaders chosen as emerging leaders.

Generation West Virginia is comprised with young talent organizations statewide including Generation Beckley, Generation Charleston; Generation Morgantown; Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle; Young Emerging Leaders of the Mid-Ohio Valley; OVConnect, based in Wheeling; Huntington Young Professionals; Pendleton County YPC; Generation GAP, based in Mercer County; Generation Greenbrier Valley; North Central Young Leaders; and Generation Putnam.

 The story below ran today on WCHS Radio.

Candidates running for at-large seats on Charleston City Council answered questions on the city’s user fee, road paving, storm water management and more during a forum hosted by Generation Charleston Tuesday.

Of the 11 candidates that will appear on the ballot, eight took part in the event.

T.J. Meadows with Generation Charleston moderated the meet and greet. He says it was an opportunity for residents to find out more about candidates.

“We wanted a chance to find out where they stand on the issues, and we couldn’t think of anything better than a forum where our members could actually put questions to the candidates,” Meadows said.

Municipal elections typically have a lower turnout than other elections.  Meadows says that’s a problem Generation Charleston wants to change.

“I think one of the most underplayed government roles is that of city council.  It’s hugely important,” Meadows said.  “It doesn’t get a lot of press.  People don’t get excited and run out to the polls.  Most of the issues that affect people are handled right here on the local level.”

Candidates discussed ways to encourage business development in the city, reduce violent crime and crub high gas prices.

Meadows says those topics are the kinds of things that people care about.  He says the only way to get things fixed is to get involved.

“We’re all around the water cooler all the time talking about how we don’t like this, or we don’t like that,” Meadows said.  “If you don’t show up to vote, you don’t have any means to complain.  People need to realize that the very thing they’re complaining about can be handled at the local level.”

The republican candidates in this year’s election are Chris Dodrill, L.G. Sturgill and Tom Lane.

Martha “Gale” Poore, Kasey Russell, Pat Brown, Jerry Ware, Andy Richardson and Mary Jean Davis are running as democrats.

Charles “Chuck Parks and Jason “Slim” Blackhurst are running as independents.

The six top vote-getters will make it onto council. The election is set for May 17.

Generation Charleston’s Public Policy Team is hosting a meet-and-greet for City Council at-large candidates from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Tuesday evening at Power Alley Grill.

Join us for an opportunity to meet the at-large candidates before the May 17 election. Each candidate will have time to introduce themselves and answer questions.

Attendees also will be able to check registration status.

The event is free to attend and open to the public.