The incomes of 60 percent of our population have either stagnated or lost ground. These trends, if allowed to continue unchecked, will undermine our prosperity and decimate the many small businesses on which our local communities depend.

With this in mind, several local companies are hoping to help the businesses of the Charleston area survive, and even flourish, during this difficult economic time by offering discounts or special offers on their goods and services.

The effort, called "Keep Charleston Alive," is an initiative to help the smaller businesses of Charleston weather the storms caused by the current state of our economy by offering peer-to-peer incentives.

Spearheading this effort is West Ashley based visual communications firm, UniMedia. UniMedia principals Rich Carnahan and Richard Almes chose to step away from servicing the larger corporations and government offices that they have been working with since founding UniMedia in 2006 to cater specifically to smaller companies.

UniMedia is doing their part by offering 10% off any Web, print or video projects contracted for 2009 by January 31, 2009. A few of the other members with valuable online incentives include, The Mills House Hotel, The Alternative Board, Innovative Event Services, Rich Bartholomew Voice Talent, Boat Life, and Bella Segreto Cosmetics.

"We know that smaller businesses, like ours, are the backbone of our economy, and we don't want that to change," states Rich Carnahan. "In reaching out to smaller businesses in need, we hope to create a network of mutually beneficial relationships that last far beyond this immediate crisis."

KeepCharlestonAlive.com offers a growing directory of local businesses that support the efforts of this initiative and, in turn, support area small businesses. Visitors to the website can sign-up to receive weekly tips from financial advisers and can take advantage of this much needed B2B networking opportunity.

Local business owners can join the Keep Charleston Alive Initiative by creating a profile for their company at KeepCharlestonAlive.com.

"We are urging all other area businesses to join with us in our efforts," asks Richard Almes. "We must work as a community to lessen the effects of our current financial situation so that we can come back from this stronger and wiser."

Visit KeepCharlestonAlive.com to learn more about this local initiative and to take advantage of the generous offers made available by participating Charleston businesses.