Advocacy
The Chamber is a voice for Lancaster County’s business community that monitors local and state government on issues that may impact businesses in the county. The clearinghouse for all legislative and Chamber positions will be the Public Policy Committee of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce.
The goal of the Public Policy Committee is to directly influence an agenda of business-related issues. The current membership of the committee is a broad cross-section of Chamber members and includes representatives from various areas of the county.
2025 ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce recognizes that a quality workforce is essential for our business community. South Carolina has a labor force participation rate of 57%, the 4th lowest in the nation. The Chamber believes that local and state government, along with the business community, should work together toward solutions that will get individuals off the sidelines and back to work.
ENERGY GRID INFRASTRUCTURE
South Carolina was the fastest growing state in 2023. The state’s energy grid is becoming constrained with South Carolina currently using more than twice as much energy as it produces. Businesses depend on available, affordable, and reliable power. The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce supports efforts to modernize and expand our power grid state-wide while simultaneously increasing energy generation.
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce believes that revitalization of the City of Lancaster’s downtown area, along with the Towns of Kershaw and Heath Springs, are important to future sustainable growth in Lancaster County. The downtown areas are central to our historic and community identity. The Chamber recognizes the significant benefits of a healthy and vibrant downtown as an economic driver for Lancaster County.
TAX MODERNIZATION
South Carolina requires businesses to pay property taxes on machinery, equipment, fixtures, and supplies, and provides no relief for small businesses. These tax burdens, combined with the effects of inflation, negatively impact the cost of doing business. The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce encourages state lawmakers to pass legislation that exempts a portion of a business’s personal property from taxation.
LAWSUIT REFORM
South Carolina’s current civil liability laws leave many small businesses to either pay skyrocketing insurance premiums or an inability to find coverage at all. Plaintiffs in a lawsuit can sue for 100% of the claim regardless of the defendant’s percentage of fault. The Chamber believes a business should only be responsible for paying damages equivalent to their share of fault in civil lawsuits. We encourage state lawmakers to address lawsuit reform as it relates to percentage of liability in civil liability cases.