Top News From D.C.

Yesterday, the Senate passed a $1.5 trillion budget plan that funds the federal government through September. The final vote was 68-31 and the bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

The plan includes:

• 13.6 billion to address the crisis in Ukraine 
• An increase in defense funding of $42 billion 
  • Included in the funding package for military construction projects is nearly $122 million for Aircraft Maintenance Hanger Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort 
  • $30 million for the Joint Base Charleston Fire and Rescue station 
  • $29 million for Joint Base Charleston Flight Line Support Facility

The Chamber would like to thank Senator Lindsey Graham for fighting for these local and regional projects on our military installations.

Local Updates

House District 97 Election Update and PAC Endorsement

Representative Mandy Kimmons stepped down from her House District 97 seat last year, citing a desire to focus on her law practice and service to her local community. This triggered a special election. This Tuesday, Robby Robbins won the Republican Primary nomination. Robbins’s priorities include improving infrastructure, the economy and our schools.

He has previously served as the SCDOT commissioner for the First Congressional District and on the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Regional Development Alliance and the BCD Council of Governments board of directors. His alignment with the Chamber’s priorities, past experiences and vision for District 97 makes him a strong candidate.

The Charleston Metro Chamber PAC is proud to endorse Robby Robbins for House District 97 and encourages you to get out and vote on May 17. If you are not sure if you reside in District 97, please click here.

Meet our New Housing Executive Fellow: Craig Logan

The Housing Executive Fellow position rose out of the Housing Attainability Vision Lab.

Craig is a native of Greenwood, SC but has called North Charleston home since 2008. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University and is experienced in youth and community building. Throughout his professional career, his goal has been to enrich the lives of the citizens he serves in his community. He presently serves as the Vice President of the Chicora Neighborhood Association and as the Project Development Committee Chair for the Community First Land Trust. In his role as the Chamber’s Housing Executive Fellow, he will be immediately tasked with standing up the Regional Housing Coalition.

If you would like to join the Regional Housing Coalition, please reach out to Craig directly.

Meet our New Military Executive Fellow: Jason Bateman

Jason is currently a candidate for his Master of Business Administration with the University of Minnesota and a recent United States Air Force retiree. Jason has over 21 years of experience in leading a range of Air Force operations. His leadership experiences include small teams, private organizations and large units of over 1,400 personnel. Jason came to the Charleston Region as a trailing spouse following his wife, Chief Master Sergeant Rebecca Bateman’s promotion at Joint Base Charleston. The Chief Master Sergeant serves as a mentor for non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted members, and to serve as advisers to unit commanders.

In his role as Military Executive Fellow, Jason will be studying the regional ecosystem of how military personnel and spouses access employment opportunities throughout the tri-county region. He will also investigate opportunities to position Charleston metro as the “first choice” for retiring military members throughout the Defense Department system. The process will ultimately culminate into a Regional Military Workforce Readiness Assessment.

If you have questions for Jason or want to learn more about the work he is doing, please click here.