Chamber Foundation
SC Chamber Education & Workforce Development Foundation
The SC Chamber Education and Workforce Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 dedicated to identifying and addressing issues in South Carolina’s educational system and workforce. The foundation’s Center for Economic Engagement is specifically focused on creating pathways to recruit, employ, and retain individuals throughout the state. The foundation is supported by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and community partners. It is authorized by its by-laws to engage in activities that are designed to enhance public education, workforce development and diversity.
Programs and Partnerships
Business Week
Each year, Business Week offers high school students the unique opportunity to hone their business acumen and learn from local business leaders.
Programs and Partnerships
HBCU STEM
This program offers college students a unique opportunity to learn from and work with South Carolina companies in STEM-related fields.
Current Research
The Foundation was created based on the shared belief that quality research facilitates important discussions and good public policy. The Foundation was created based on the shared belief that quality research facilitates important discussion and good public policy. The foundation identifies areas in need of research related to education and workforce development and carries out that research to discover the best solutions for the state of South Carolina.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs continue to burden businesses and families across the state. We're working to further understand the healthcare challenges businesses face, so we can develop and propose solutions that make healthcare more affordable, accessible, and effective for businesses and their employees.
Tax Reform
South Carolina's state business tax climate is ranked 37th in the nation. Many of our state's tax policies place an undue burden on our businesses and discourage other businesses from locating here. We're working to make the local tax code more competitive.
Property Tax Reform
South Carolina’s property tax system is an outlier compared to the rest of the United States: complex, nontransparent, unfair, and inefficient. Our property tax system lacks transparency because of fragmented property tax administration, inconsistent language, and varying land use codes.
Step One
Identify the Most Important Issues
Each year, we ask the business community to help us select the top issues they'd like us to focus on in the coming year. With that input and insight, we conduct research that can provide a solid foundation for better policies in South Carolina.
Step Two
Analyze and Make Recommendations
Our objective is to deliver helpful data, white papers, and reports for the business community and others to learn from and act on. We don't use our resources to prepare legislation or directly influence legislation.