May 5, 2025

Aiken Chamber of Commerce Advocates for Small Business

News Summary

The Aiken Chamber of Commerce participated in the South Carolina Chamber’s Small Business Day event, emphasizing the importance of small businesses in the state’s economy. Members engaged with lawmakers, discussed crucial issues like tax reform, and celebrated a proclamation declaring Small Business Day. With a commitment to advocate for local businesses, the event highlighted challenges and solutions for supporting growth and sustainability in the small business sector.

South Carolina – On April 29, 2025, approximately 30 members of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce participated in the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s annual Small Business Day event in Columbia. This yearly gathering is significant for involving small business owners and advocating for their interests with state lawmakers. The Aiken Chamber traditionally has the largest attendance at this event, a tradition upheld once again in 2025. Chamber President Jim Tunison noted that 85% of their members are small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, which underscores their active engagement in state business affairs.

The group traveled via charter bus from the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and reached Columbia shortly before 9 a.m. Once there, they participated in a panel discussion led by government affairs officer Will Frierson at the S.C. Chamber of Commerce Offices. This discussion featured several key legislators, including S.C. Senators Josh Kimbrell and Ed Sutton, along with S.C. Representative Fawn Pedalino. The panel covered critical topics such as tort reform and proposed changes to the state income tax system.

Following the panel discussion, the Aiken Chamber members attended an event at 10 a.m. on the Statehouse steps, where they listened to remarks from Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Senate President Thomas Alexander, and House Speaker Murrell Smith Jr. The speakers highlighted the importance of small businesses to the state’s economy and discussed initiatives aimed at alleviating the challenges they face. Lt. Gov. Evette, acknowledging her background as a business founder, emphasized the necessity for supportive leadership in tackling these challenges, advocating for tax cuts and reduced regulations on small businesses.

During the event, a proclamation was read, declaring April 29 as Small Business Day in South Carolina. This proclamation was signed by Governor Henry McMaster, further recognizing the crucial role of small businesses in the state’s economy. House Speaker Murrell Smith praised small businesses as the backbone of South Carolina and encouraged dramatic efforts to support their growth and sustainability.

The Aiken group also took the opportunity to meet with local S.C. Senator Tom Young Jr. in the Senate chamber, reinforcing their commitment to advocate for small businesses at the state level. In addition to legislative discussions, the program included presentations from Joey Von Nesson of the Darla Moore School of Business and Cheryl Richards, CEO of Catapult Employers Association. They provided insights into the current economic environment in South Carolina, with Von Nesson rating the state’s economy as a B+, while warning of potential increases in inflation due to tariffs. Richards highlighted the impact of a declining labor market participation rate on small businesses.

Moreover, a panel led by Frierson included discussions on marketing strategies for small businesses, featuring Callie Goodwin of a South Carolina greeting card business and Logan LaMance, co-founder of Kanga Coolers. Goodwin shared her experience with social media, explaining that 98% of her orders originate from TikTok, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and regular posting for online marketing success.

In summary, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce’s attendance at the Small Business Day event played a vital role in bridging connections between small business owners and state legislators. This year’s gathering not only highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses but also served as a platform for discussing potential solutions to foster their growth and mitigate adverse economic factors. The event underscored the significance of small businesses in South Carolina, with members advocating for their interests while engaging directly with policymakers.

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