Our Priority is Business
We are committed to promoting economic prosperity in the Beaufort Region. With the help of our members, we developed our legislative agenda around that commitment.
Policy decisions made by elected officials directly impact business success and economic prosperity. The Chamber works with elected officials to promote a vibrant business climate and to advocate for pro-business legislation on the local, state, and federal levels.
Each year the Chamber develops our legislative agenda through the help of our committees, Board of Directors, and through input from our members and stakeholders.
2024 Local Elections: November 5
CLICK HERE for an Overview of the Beaufort County 1% Sales Tax for Transportation Infrastructure
CLICK HERE for a 2024 Voter Guide (coming soon)
Public Policy Objectives
The Chamber adopts public policy positions that advance four chief objectives:
Enhance opportunities
for Beaufort County businesses.
Promote sustainable growth and support infrastructure improvements.
Guiding Principles
The following are standing positions taken through the Chamber’s business advocacy process. All positions have been adopted by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Affordable Housing
Support incentives and market-driven solutions to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing options for everyone in the region.
Business Climate
Advocate for regulatory processes and business fee structures that are clear, predictable, efficient and cost-effective.
Economic Development
Support tax policies and economic development programs that help the region attract, retain and expand businesses and industries that create high quality jobs.
Education and Workforce Development
Advocate for 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.
Energy
Support an energy regulatory climate that prioritizes the state’s future energy needs with sufficient protections for electric utility ratepayers. Encourage energy generation from a variety of sources to produce reliable, affordable, sustainable electricity for the state’s businesses and citizens.
Environmental Stewardship
The natural environment is important to our region’s quality of place and economic competitiveness. Promote a balanced approach to environmental regulation that embraces responsible stewardship without unreasonably burdening business.
Healthcare
Promote community wellness by supporting policies that ensure access to quality medical care and reduce healthcare costs for business.
Hospitality Sector
Support consistent, sufficient investment in product development and tourism marketing to ensure the continued vitality of the region’s hospitality industry.
Immigration Reform
Support comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level that helps businesses attract and retain talented individuals that fuel our globally connected economy.
Infrastructure
Make investments necessary to ensure adequate capacity and maintenance of our transportation network and flood protections including roads, bridges, pedestrian and bike facilities, shoreline and stormwater infrastructure.
Land Use Planning
Support coordinated decisions among jurisdictions that promote the efficient use of land essential to economic prosperity.
Military Retention and Expansion
Advance legislative priorities in the South Carolina Military Base Task Force comprehensive plan, and support policies and investments that promote the retention and expansion of military operations in the Beaufort region.
Port Development
Make investments necessary to enhance the efficiency, reliability and capacity of the region’s port facilities and support development of the Jasper Ocean Terminal.
Tax Climate
Advocate for a competitive, pro-growth tax climate that ensures fairness, predictability, and compliance while balancing income, property and sales tax levies.
Trade
Support international trade agreements that are fair, accountable, consistent and that reduce barriers to free and open markets.