SCSBCC Annual Policy Forum a great success!


  This week, we enjoyed a spirited gathering of local business owners, members of the board of the SC Small Business Chamber, and esteemed state legislators.



SC House Rep. Kenny Bingham & SCSBCC CEO Frank Knapp, Jr.



SCSBCC CEO Frank Knapp, Jr and SC House Rep. Mac Toole

SC House Representative Kenny Bingham (R, Lex) gave a truly great talk.

He gave updates and detail on the recent Department of Revenue service/sales tax issue, as well as commentary on the value of early childhood education, and more.



SC House Rep. Mac Toole (R, Lex) talked about the potential benefits of renewable energy industries, including wind, solar, nuclear and woodmass.

And if you haven't heard, online retail giant Amazon.com is bringing 1200 new jobs to Cayce, SC. It's not a small business, obviously, but its employee base will support small businesses in the area.

This is great news.

Phil Bailey of the Democratic Senate Caucus gave a great talk, as well.

The room was impressed not only by these representatives' progressive attitudes toward supporting small business in SC but *also* by the excellent, all-local catering by Spotted Salamander Catering.

Chef/owners Jessica Shillato and Brad Weeks of Spotted Salamander run the *only* full-service catering company in the entire state that qualifies to be in the SCDA's Fresh on the Menu program.

What does this mean? It means that Spotted Salamander's menu "include[s] at least 25% Certified South Carolina Grown foods and products."

Originally from Barnwell and a graduate of the Leadership program, Brad maintains a vast web of direct contacts with SC producers.

That means Swansea, SC beef that Brad is forking onto his roll (above), made with Adluh flour; that sinful mac and cheese is riddled with creamy, delicious Happy Cow Creamery cheddar, and so on. Thank you, Spotted Salamander!

The food was a hit with everybody at the gathering, including Stephanie Lombardo, the membership coordinator for the SC Small Business Chamber, below left.

Stephanie Lombardo, Rep. Mac Toole, & Brad Weeks

Working as the Membership Coordinator for the SC Small Business Chamber, Stephanie is deeply committed to supporting small business in South Carolina, and loves working with small businesses to increase their online reach via the BuySC directory and action campaigns! 

Give her a ring or shoot her an email at the Columbia headquarters to find out more about the resources we offer to small businesses in SC.

Attorney Nick Callas and SCSBCC CEO Frank Knapp, Jr.

Huge thanks to our beverage sponsor, attorney Nick Callas of Popowski, Callas & Shirley, P.A.! The firm handles Worker's Comp, personal injury, and Social Security Disability cases in particular. We appreciate your support, Nick!

(The floral arrangements, made sustainably -- and cheaply! -- using locally foraged greenery and a
very budget-friendly handful of spider mums from the grocery store, were designed by Flock and Rally: Events & Communications for a Brave New South.)

SCSBCC CEO Frank Knapp, Jr and Rep. Kenny Bingham listen to Rep. Mac Toole

The new South Carolina Press Association offices were a wonderful facility in which to hold the forum.

Major thanks to Bill Rogers of the SCPA for hosting!

If you'd like to host or sponsor a seminar, networking reception or BuySC action campaign event, contact us.

We love working with our local small businesses!







One of our key missions in this nonprofit organization: to grow public understanding of the importance of choosing SC vendors for everything from pharmacy prescriptions to major construction contracts.





Register your small business for free today at Buy SC!