Volunteers and Staff in the Public Policy Division focus on governmental affairs issues and local infrastructure needs such as highway improvements and high speed rail. A full time lobbyist represents the needs of member businesses in Columbia before the South Carolina General Assembly. Policy Statements on key issues are developed by the Legislative Issues Committee for presentation to and adoption by the chamber’s Board of Directors. More than a dozen events are held each year to provide member firms with information from and access to elected officials.

A major priority and area of much success has been efforts to secure additional funding for needed road and highway projects. Our chamber also works with a coalition of 14 southeastern metropolitan area chambers to promote the establishment of high speed rail service through the Upstate, connecting Atlanta to Washington (and the Northeast Corridor).