NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — South Carolina business leaders are weighing in on a new 10-year plan for the state’s economy.
South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce (SCMC) presented Blueprint 2036: A Roadmap for South Carolina’s Economic Future during its statewide Vision and Voice Tour on Monday at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The event was hosted by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce and other community chambers.
Blueprint 2036 was developed in partnership with Grant Thornton.
It is a 10-year policy-based strategy designed to address emerging challenges, capitalize on new opportunities and strengthen South Carolina’s economic competitiveness.
Its recommendations focus on improving the business climate, developing the workforce, expanding infrastructure, preparing competitive sites and supporting innovation.
Leaders at the Charleston stop discussed priorities including affordable housing, child care and infrastructure. SCMC says feedback gathered from stops across the state will help shape its 2027 legislative agenda and guide where it focuses its resources.
Will Frierson, vice president of government affairs at SCMC, said the Charleston stop had two purposes.
“One, unveil our Blueprint 2036 documents. So, a 10-year strategic roadmap for the state of South Carolina designed to make sure that we are embracing the challenges and opportunities before our state and making sure that we’re staying as competitive as we can be, but also getting their feedback on a variety of different topics, maybe impacting their business as we work to develop our 2027 legislative agenda,” Frierson said. “So, a great day to talk to local business leaders about the issues impacting their business and their community.”
Frierson said the tour includes nine stops, with more being added, to gather feedback from different regions of the state.
“We’re adding more so that number keeps changing but really getting across the state in the different kinds of regions to get a diversified response,” Frierson said. “You know, one of the most fascinating things to me is to hear what the biggest challenges are in one community. They’re not the same across the state. Again, today we learned and heard about affordable housing, childcare, infrastructure being the top challenges they’re facing. You know, statewide, maybe it’s more infrastructure in other aspects, lack of rural water and sewer. It just depends on where you are. So, it’s fascinating for us. It helps us better understand the needs across South Carolina.”
Frierson said the feedback collected will be compiled and brought back to SCMC leadership.
“It’ll really help us develop our legislative agenda, identifying the major policy areas that business leaders want us to focus on and work in the legislature in 2027 to address,” Frierson said. “It’ll really help narrow down, okay, where do we want to spend our capital and resources in 2027.”
Frierson said the plan was not developed in response to poor economic conditions in the state.
“It’s not because South Carolina is doing poorly. South Carolina is doing incredibly well. So many aspects of our economy, whether it’s more people working than ever before, whether it’s record capital investment, a lot of good things going for us,” Frierson said. “The blueprint is helping us try to figure out, okay, how do we prepare for what’s to come? What’s around the corner? How do we make sure that our state can handle the growth we’ve experienced today and the growth that we’re going to continue to experience? And so, again, things are changing. Our economy is evolving and making sure we’re prepared is important for us and important for the state as business leaders as well.”
Frierson said the Charleston region holds particular significance for the tour.
“I’m just fortunate to be here in the Charleston region. We know that this is one of the most important economic regions in the state,” Frierson said. “And so, I enjoyed talking to business leaders here, and we’ll be back and appreciate learning more about their needs.”
Challenges vary from one community to another, which is why the group is gathering feedback across the state. That input will help determine which issues SCMC prioritizes in 2027.
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