Scott Barhight, Chamber Senior Vice President of Government Relations, was joined for this Government Relations Update by Elliott Summey, Charleston County Council Chair and CEO of the Charleston County Aviation Authority.

George Ramsey, Chamber Senior Director of Legislative Relations, also gave an update from the State House.

Legislative Update from George

The House and Senate met for a few weeks last month to spend the remaining $680 million in CARES Act funding. Here’s a breakdown of where it went:

• The largest chunk of the $680 million of remaining funds went to replenish the unemployment trust fund to the tune of $420 million.
• $71 million went to DHEC with $20 million going to MUSC for testing.
• $40 million was agreed upon for grants to small- and minority-owned businesses under 15 employees.
• $25 million was allocated for nonprofits.

Last month, session ended for the year and the business community scored some big wins:

• Two affordable housing bills passed
• The angel investor tax credit reauthorized
• Passage of the Military Service, Education and Credentialing Act
• Adoption of business license fee reform
• A $40 million grant program for small businesses who’ve been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

We’re happy to report that 22 of the 26 delegation members received the Champions of Business Award. We cannot thank them enough for their hard work and support of the business community.

Scott was joined for this Government Relations Update by Elliott Summey, Charleston County Council Chair and CEO of the Charleston County Aviation Authority.

Conversation with Elliott Summey

Pandemic Update – Charleston County

Summey was happy to share that the County has not had to furlough or let anyone go as a result of the pandemic. In fact, they have not experienced a significant decrease in revenue – this is in part due to the fact that property taxes were 98% collected before the pandemic hit. In his words, their coffers were full going into March. Summey said that the real test will come when they can assess how much property tax will start coming in now.

Transit and Housing in Charleston County

Scott and Elliott also discussed two topics that many of our Chamber members care about: transit and attainable housing. Summey played a role in the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project and knows that it will mean a better quality of life for Charleston County residents. He said that if they can get buses running efficiently, effectively and on time, people will ride them. The 23-mile rapid transit line will help traffic and it stands to benefit employers, too: many companies will incentivize employees to use it because it will reduce their cost, especially when it comes to downtown parking.

There is an Affordable Housing Referendum on Charleston County voters’ ballots this election – if those dollars are in place, Summey said this would allow the housing authorities for multiple jursidictions to work together more efficiently. “There are multiple housing authorities in the county, but housing is not an issue confined to jurisdictions – it’s a regional issue.” Summey said they could combine the entities to create one housing authority that runs more efficiently and effectively.

When asked how business leaders can support Charleston County, Summey provided these ways:

• Stay engaged in issues that matter: schools, housing, transit, etc.
• Make sure your voice is heard – vote and make it easy for your employees to vote
• Lend your expertise

Aviation Authority Update

Summey will finish his term on the Charleston County Council this year, and he recently became Charleston County Aviation Authority’s CEO. Summey said that right now, he is in master-panning mode, looking for ways to create new revenue streams.

After months of the pandemic, revenue is recovering for the Aviation Authority and they broke even this month. However, there were a few months where millions of dollars were lost each month because of the pandemic. Despite the toll the pandemic took, they are still constantly announcing new flights and finding new and innovative ways to create revenue. They are also 12 percentage points higher than the rest of the country when it comes to recovery. Summey was proud to share that none of the Aviation Authority’s nearly 200 employees were furloughed or let go during the pandemic.