SC Chamber unveils 2023 Competitiveness Agenda, General Assembly leaders share outlooks at Business Speaks dinner
January 18, 2023
On Tuesday, January 7, 2023, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber), the state’s unified voice of business, hosts its annual Business Speaks Event at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Business Speaks is a legislative session kickoff event where the SC Chamber releases its legislative priorities for the year and where state legislative leadership shares their outlook on the new legislative session.
The SC Chamber’s 2023 Competitiveness Agenda – the S.C. business community’s top legislative priorities for the year – is informed by the 2022 statewide grassroots tour survey administered to 925 local business leaders and SC Chamber members. The results are filtered through SC Chamber policy committees and approved by the SC Chamber Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The 2023 policy priorities that will unleash the state’s full potential for business include workforce development, tax reform, economic competitiveness, adopting fair-share liability, and promoting a pro-business environmental and regulatory climate. The 2023 Competitiveness Agenda can be viewed here.
“As we enter the 2023 South Carolina General Assembly Session, the SC Chamber is committed to capturing the momentum from last year’s session to drive positive results for business in South Carolina,” wrote SC Chamber President and CEO Bob Morgan. “We have surveyed local companies from across the state about their challenges and priorities and have created a representative agenda that supports businesses – both big and small – throughout the state.”
Majority of South Carolina General Assembly leaders are confirmed to speak at Business Speaks 2023 and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette will make the program’s closing remarks.
“We take every opportunity we can to speak directly to South Carolina’s businesses to better understand the challenges they face and what we can do to help,” said South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. “Business Speaks facilitates important conversations and partnerships that will ultimately serve to move our state and economy forward.”
“We are blessed to have a business climate that builds on the opportunity to train and develop our workforce,” said S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Chamber of Commerce this legislative session to further prepare our citizens for the jobs needed in order to enhance our successful and competitive business climate.”
“The past few years have seen an economic boom in South Carolina and that is in no small part thanks to the robust business community we have,” said S.C. Speaker of the House of Representatives G. Murrell Smith. “I am proud that South Carolina is in the business of doing business and am confident her best days are right ahead of her. I look forward to a continued partnership with the Chamber as we embark on a new, prosperous legislative session.”
“South Carolina is open for business,” said S.C. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. “The Senate will continue to do the work to foster a pro-business South Carolina.”
“I am excited about the 2023 session and look forward to a conservative and pro-business agenda,” said S.C. House Majority Leader Davey Hiott.
“As the leader of the Senate Minority Caucus, I want to thank the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce for organizing Business Speaks,” said S.C. Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto. “The business community is the backbone of a successful economy. I appreciate everything that the local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce do to support local businesses and work to attract new business especially to our rural communities. It is important that we work together on job creation, workforce development and tax reform as we seek to build better communities, greater schools, and an improved quality of life in all of South Carolina.”
“I’m a longtime supporter of the Chamber of Commerce because they’re the backbone of our business community and make Columbia and all of Richland County a special place to live and work,” said S.C. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford. “Our shared priority of economic development across South Carolina has created a strong relationship between the House and the Chamber that I look forward to continuing this legislative session.”
About SC Chamber
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the State’s leading voice for business with a vision to make South Carolina’s economy the most vibrant in the United States, creating opportunity and prosperity for all. A statewide organization that fights for pro-job and business policies at the state and federal level, it strives to promote free enterprise; define and advocate for the business agenda; convene, connect, and educate businesses; and partner with key allies. Our member insights shape the policies we write and the agenda we promote at the State House. Learn more at http://www.scchamber.net.
