SC Economic Development
Public Policy
SCEDA
Legislative Agenda
2023 Legislative Agenda
As the “Voice of Economic Development” in South Carolina, the agenda includes input from hundreds of members, other stakeholders, the Legislative Committee, and the SCEDA Board of Directors.
The 2023 Legislative Agenda is as follows:
• Improve Industrial Site Readiness
• Increase Professional Office Jobs Incentives and Talent
• Support Rural Infrastructure and Revitalization
• Improve Natural Gas Accessibility
• Ensure Sufficient Funding for the SC Department of Commerce Closing Fund
The following is a further explanation of the 2023 SCEDA Legislative Agenda.
Industrial Site Readiness
To increase South Carolina’s ability to land more substantial economic development projects, SCEDA will support significant funding for more industrial site development and readiness.
Professional Office Jobs Incentives and Talent Recruitment
SCEDA will support expanding on the bill passed four years ago that expanded Job Development Credits to include certain professional office jobs to provide more tools to successfully attract office and professional jobs, particularly when it comes to smaller, desirable high-tech office projects. Additionally, SCEDA will support strengthening the state’s competitiveness when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, allowing remote workers, attracting office aligned occupations and the digital economy.
Rural Infrastructure and Revitalization
SCEDA will support increasing funding for rural roads, as well as support rural downtown development incentives and grants for local governments.
Natural Gas Accessibility
SCEDA will support more access to natural gas, removing this barrier for growth.
SC Department of Commerce Closing Fund
SCEDA will support significantly increasing the amount of money for the SC Department of Commerce Closing Fund to maximize the State’s ability to create more jobs and attract more capital investment.
It addition to the issues on its Legislative Agenda, the following are issues that SCEDA will support in 2023.
• Workforce
Development
• Improving Broadband Infrastructure
• Removal of Franchise Fees for Start-Ups
• Development of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
• Tort Reform (Joint and Several Liability)
SCEDA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
- Edward Kluiters, Legislative Committee Chair, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
- Richard Blackwell, SCCED, Agracel, Inc.
- Marty Baltzegar, PE, LEED AP, Duke Energy
- Tushar Chikhliker, Nexsen Pruet
- Will Clarke, Elliott Davis
- Brent Jonas, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
- Philip Land, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA
- Kevin Landmesser, Greenville Area Development Corporation
- Sandy Steele, SCCED, Southern Carolina Regional Alliance
- Andrena Powell-Baker, SCCED, Lockhart Power Company/ Pacolet Milliken
- David Swenson, CEcD, York County Economic Development
- Stephen Taylor, SCCED, WCTEL
- Angela Lockman, Clemson University
- Mark Hendrick, SC Department of Commerce
SCEDA is represented at The Statehouse by John DeWorken and Sunny Harmon. Click here to learn more about Lobby SC.

January 20, 2023 Legislative Update
House Proposes Workforce Reform Bill Led by Speaker Murrell Smith and Economic and Utility Modernization Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Jay West, a bill was introduced in the House that would make significant changes to the way in which the State administers workforce...

January 13 Legislative Update
Governor Henry McMaster Sworn in This WeekThis week, the Honorable Henry McMaster was sworn in again as the Governor of South Carolina. When he departs in four years, he will be the longest serving Governor in South Carolina’s history. Other Constitutional Officers...

January 6 Legislative Update
SCEDA Legislative Update January 6, 2023 Governor McMaster released his Executive Budget, which can be read by clicking here. The following includes provisions in his Budget that relate to economic development. South Carolina Department of Commerce • 500 million in...
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SCEDA’s Lobbyist
Ms. Sunnie Harmon
Mr. John DeWorken