SC Chamber Unveils Competitiveness Agenda
Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce unveiled their 2016 competitiveness agenda on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s very important that we help develop a work force that’s ready for the next century,” said SC Chamber President Ted Pitts.
Pitts laid out the priorities they want to see the General Assembly take action on in 2016. The list included; business licensing reform, infrastructure and workforce development.
“South Carolina needs a sustainable and highly educated workforce of technicians, engineers, sales professionals and entrepreneurs to be competitive in the 21st century economy,” said Boral Stone’s Al Reid.
Reid said South Carolina is in a good position with a growing economy and more jobs available, however, the problem lies in finding qualified workers.
“We’re very concerned about finding those individuals in the time frame that we have who are ready and willing and able to come in and work and fill the needs that we have,” explained Reid.
The Chamber also asked the General Assembly to tackle the long-debated issue of the state’s roads and bridges.
“When you look at infrastructure, the state of our infrastructure in South Carolina we are behind the ball,” said Pitts.
Pitts is calling on the legislature to reform the department of transportation and find a solution to fund the roads.
“We would like to see a plan that has recurring, sustainable, diversified revenue stream of at least $600 million to go to our roads and bridges,” said Pitts.
