CHAMBER  

Chamber-Led Campaign Committee Begins Promoting Nov. 6 Referendum

The committee commissioned to promote the passage of the seven-day countywide retail sale of beer/wine in grocers and convenience stores held its first meeting last month.  The Chamber-led group, called Citizens and Business for York County, is encouraging voters to mark “yes” on the only ballot question in the November 6 general election.  Chet Miller (a retired citizen) and Pam Morrell (a realtor with Keller Williams) are volunteer co-chairs of the effort.

One of the primary benefits resulting from the approval of the referendum is the growth of local and small businesses, especially with the increase of profits from beverage sales and other purchases at grocery and convenience stores.  Another benefit is the retention and expansion of jobs, as a result of licensed stores maintaining or expanding operations.  Yet another advantage is that additional choices will be available to citizens, including the option of purchasing packaged beer or wine seven days a week.  The initiative also supports and compliments other local economic development efforts, including the Chamber’s buy-local program called, “Buy Into It - York County”.

Any member interest in serving on the referendum promotion committee should contact Chamber president, Rob Youngblood.

 
August 29^th Grass Roots Luncheon Kicks Off Chamber’s Compilation of 2013 State Legislative Agenda

The York County Regional Chamber and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce are preparing for a successful 2013 legislative session to continue joint efforts in improving South Carolina’s global competitiveness and increasing the state’s per capita income. As representatives of the South Carolina Chamber say, this important policy-changing work begins at the local grassroots level. 

The York Regional Grassroots Network Luncheon is from noon until 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the City Club of Rock Hill, 140 E. Main St.  The cost to attend is $18 per person, which includes lunch and materials. 

Also recognizing the need to work on the regional level, five other chambers will participate in this planning meeting.  In addition to those from the York County Regional and S.C. chambers, business and community leaders from the chambers in the Clover, Lake Wylie, and York areas—along with the Chester and Lancaster counties—will be included.

This open-forum session is one of the first steps in creating the annual Competitiveness Agenda, the state business community’s annual list of legislative priorities. It will begin with a legislative review from the S.C. Chamber staff and will then move into an open discussion of legislative issues to be addressed during the next legislative session.  Once issues are defined and strategies are developed, the chambers work with legislative officials to create an environment that will improve the business climate for York County and throughout the state.

More than 100 business leaders from our tri-county area, as well as community leaders and legislators, are expected to attend this year’s program.  For more information on the luncheon, contact Chamber program manager, Andrea Agness, with the York County Regional Chamber at (803) 324-7500.

Chamber Takes Position on Federal Export-Import Bank

Early in May, the Chamber issued its support for the federal government reauthorizing the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im).  As the official export credit agency of the U.S., the Ex-Im has financially assisted (at no cost to taxpayers) the export of goods and services by industries across our country and state.  Over the last five years, Ex-Im has assisted more than 47 South Carolina companies (many of which are small businesses) in exporting throughout the world.  Several York County businesses have also benefitted from Ex-Im.

In addition to exporting, the Ex-Im Bank has also supported jobs in our nation and state.  Approximately 80% of the Bank’s transactions are in support of U.S. small businesses and those jobs.  In 2010, for example, the Ex-Im supported the creation or sustainment of 230,000 jobs at 3,300 U.S. companies.  Furthermore, the Bank is financially self-sustaining, and in the last five years (during a time of serious economic challenges), it has returned more than $3 billion in funds to the U.S. Treasury.

Thanks to the passage of H.R. 2072 by both the US House and Senate, Ex-Im will continue to provide an essential service that levels the playing field for our exporters by matching credit support that is provided by other nations.  The York County Regional Chamber appreciates Senator Lindsey Graham for his support of and leadership in the approval of the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization .