Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce honors elected officials at State Delegation Appreciation

CHARLESTON, SC – With the closing of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce thanked members of our state legislative delegation for their ongoing support in enhancing our region at the State Delegation Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, July 29 at Founders Hall.Since 2012, the Chamber has honored one representative of the tri-county delegation each year with the prestigious Glenn McConnell Elected Leadership Award. The recipient of the award exemplifies the leadership qualities of former Lieutenant Governor and Senator Glenn McConnell during his 34 years of elected public service in the South Carolina General Assembly. The recipient must advance legislation to create jobs; demonstrate outstanding leadership, integrity and vision; and be responsive to the business community’s needs in an effort to improve South Carolina’s business climate.This year, the Chamber presented Senator Paul G. Campbell, Jr. with the Glenn McConnell Elected Leader Award in recognition of his support of the Chamber’s 2015 Legislative Agenda, specifically displaying leadership on important business issues such as infrastructure funding.

“Senator Campbell has been a strong proponent of the Chamber’s legislative priorities,” said Bryan Derreberry, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “He has been instrumental in finding a solution to our state’s crumbling infrastructure as well as playing an integral part in increasing funding for the Aeronautical Enterprise Campus.”

Each year, the Chamber creates a Legislative Agenda prioritizing advocacy efforts to advance the region. Several of the Chamber’s agenda items successfully passed this session, including approval of $20 million for the Aeronautical Enterprise Campus at Trident Technical College, the passage of transportation network companies legislation (Uber Bill), approval of a bill allowing military veterans to receive in-state tuition and the removal of the Confederate flag from the State House grounds. During the event, the Chamber honored Representative Jenny Horne for her courage and leadership to push for the removal of the Confederate Flag from our State House grounds.

The Charleston Metro Chamber’s top priority this session was the creation of a comprehensive infrastructure funding plan. Along with the Columbia and Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s and private and public sector leaders, a unified message on achieving a substantive funding stream to meet the state’s infrastructure needs was developed. Though unsuccessful this year, the Chamber will continue to push for comprehensive infrastructure funding legislation next year.

 

About the Charleston Metro Chamber

With more than 1,600 member organizations representing 125,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community and a catalyst for advancing the region’s economy and enhancing members’ success through Advocacy, Innovation, Talent and Business Advancement. Visit charlestonchamber.net.