TH E F O L LO WIN G ARE STAN DI N G POSI TI ON S TAK EN THRO U G H THE CH A MBE R ’S BUSI N ESS ADVOCACY PROCESS. ALL P O SI TI O N S HAVE BE EN A DO PTED B Y THE CHAMB ER’S B OARD O F D I RE CTO RS.
Business Creation, Recruitment, Retention and Expansion
Support legislation that will help the region to attract quality business, industry and jobs to the area and to expand existing business and industry.
Education and Workforce Development
Advocate the changes necessary in early childhood, K-12 and higher education to prepare all students for the careers of the future and to provide a skilled workforce to support the region’s employers.
Environment and Energy
Environmental legislation regulation should not unnecessarily increase the administrative burden, resulting in unnecessary regulations, project delays or cost prohibitiveness to businesses.
Healthcare
Work to reduce healthcare costs for business, as rising costs directly impacts operating budgets.
Hospitality
The continued vitality of the visitor industry is critical to support the thousands of hospitality-based businesses operating in the region.
Military and Federal Facilities Retention and Expansion
The Military Policy Council works closely with the entire South Carolina congressional delegation on retaining the 22,000 jobs associated with the region’s military facilities, and expanding the region’s $4.67 billion military/federal presence by seeking additional missions and expansion opportunities.
Port Development
Support the continued growth and expansion of South Carolina’s port.
Regional Land Use Planning/Workforce Housing
Continue to promote our Sustainable Growth Ethic which involves building on prosperity through the principles of Choice, Balance and Stewardship. Our vision is to grow in a manner that improves the quality of life for all citizens in the metro area, including those yet to be born or those who move here.
Regulatory
Advocate for a business climate that is conducive to business expansion. The regulatory environment of the state must be balanced and not burdensome for business.
Immigration Reform
Support comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level to ensure a uniform approach.
Transportation & Infrastructure
Modern, up-to-date infrastructure must be maintained for the region to effectively compete in the global marketplace. Without the ability to move goods and services to customers, businesses cannot compete and succeed.
for a detailed version with full background, visit
www.charlestonchamber.net/legislative-agenda #CHASADVOCACY
STATE PRIORITIES Infrastructure
• Raise the motor user fuel fee by $.25 per gallon and index the fee for inflation
Talent
• Secure $41 million needed in state funding to build the Aeronautical Training Center at Trident Technical College • Pass needed legislation to grant University of Charleston R1 status
FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Economic Development
• Reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for five years and encourage passage of trade agreements to help expand export trade • Support reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank
Military Base Retention and Expansion
• Lobby the Department of Defense to re-evaluate its decision on the location of Africa Command to Joint Base Charleston
Regulatory
• Advocate against an over-burdensome regulatory environment for business from such agencies and organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Labor Relations Board
Talent
• Lobby Congress for comprehensive immigration reform
Transportation and Infrastructure
• Support continued funding for the Post 45 Charleston harbor deepening project • Support passage of a new federal highway authorization bill
LOCAL PRIORITIES
Transportation and Infrastructure
• Advance the Chamber’s 18 infrastructure priorities for our region including: - Completion of I-526 - Glenn McConnell Extension • Support expansion projects for the Port of Charleston including the completion of the cruise terminal and Post 45 Harbor Deepening • Support the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Government’s I-26 Alt plan recommendations
Regulatory
• Reform local government processes to expedite approvals for business • Work with local municipalities to streamline the development process reducing the time and costs to the developer and consumers • Actively advocate the mission of the Partnership for Responsible Growth coalition and its call for local governments to honor their zoning and development regulations in considering and siting new residential, commercial, office and industrial development projects • Adopt a regional action strategy to address the housing affordability issue
Talent
• Implement a regional Career Awareness Campaign to showcase high demand occupations to build the needed talent pipeline -E ngage business with local college career offices to work to retain local college graduates in the region • Support the Tri-County Cradle-to-Career Initiative • Support the development and expansion of Career Academies in all area public high schools • Expand Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum at all levels in K-12
Entrepreneurs/Small Business
• Support the expansion of offerings for entrepreneurs including incubators, accelerators and others to provide the needed support base for continued entrepreneurial development throughout the region • Increase entrepreneurial programs in Information Technology and Biomedical at area colleges and universities