COLUMBIA, S.C. – Yesterday, April 29, 2025, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) hosted its third annual Small Business Day at the State House, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. The advocacy day was a free event, that included a Legislative Breakfast Panel, Proclamation program at the State House, and a new ticketed lunch program with multiple panels focused on small business and the presentation of the SC Chamber’s inaugural Small Business of the Year Award.
This event celebrates the contributions small businesses make in our communities and highlights the unique challenges that small business owners face. The day brings together small businesses to learn about issues affecting their business, network with one another, and meet with state policymakers. The breakfast panel featured state lawmakers – Senator Josh Kimbrell, Senator Ed Sutton, Representative Fawn Pedalino – each providing personal commentary as they are small business owners themselves. The Proclamation program hosted more than 200 small business owners on the grounds of the State House to hear from the SC Chamber as well as Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander and S.C. Speaker of the House of Representatives Murrell Smith.
We would like to congratulate Marchant Bateman & Co. for winning the SC Chamber’s inaugural Small Business of the Year award, which was presented during our lunch program. Marchant Bateman & Co. is a market leader in luxury real estate, growing both in scale and reputation. Marchant Bateman & Co., guided by top-producing brokers Kendall Bateman and Tom Marchant, represents the epitome of excellence in the luxury real estate domain. This award was created to honor an exemplary small business in South Carolina that demonstrates outstanding achievement in business growth, customer focus, community engagement, leadership, and workforce empowerment.
Small Business Day at the State House had the support of multiple sponsors, including BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, TikTok, Charter Communications, Colonial Life, Grace Outdoor Advertising, Sun Solutions, Synovus, Catapult, InnovateHR, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, and 1101 Public Affairs.
“South Carolina is one of the best places for small businesses… small businesses are an integral part of not just the Columbia and South Carolina communities, but our nation as a whole,” said Karen Jenkins, President and CEO of KRJ Consulting and chair of the SC Chamber’s Small Business Committee. “Small Businesses make up 99.4% of all companies in our state and employ over 822,000 South Carolinians.”
SC Chamber Chairperson and President of Rhodes Companies, Thomas Rhodes, addressed the crowd from the State House steps, saying “As a small business owner and the Chairman of the Chamber, I can’t tell you how proud I am to see all of you here. But I also think about the tens of thousands of our colleagues who own small businesses across this state that can’t be here today, you know why? Because they’re busy running their businesses to drive revenue, take care of their employees, take care of their communities, and that’s what we’re here to represent.”
More than 200 attendees heard from various state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander and S.C. Speaker of the House of Representatives Murrell Smith, on the North Steps of the State House during the main program.
“As someone who founded, led, and grew a business, I know how important it is to have leaders who understand the challenges our small business owners face on a daily basis. This is exactly why I am committed to cutting taxes, slashing regulations, and doing all I can to help businesses flourish in South Carolina,” said Lieutenant Governor Evette. “It was my privilege to read the Governor’s proclamation naming today, April 29, 2025, as South Carolina Small Business Day at the State House — honoring and celebrating the positive impact small businesses have in our communities and on our economy.”
“Small businesses are the backbone of South Carolina, employing 99% of South Carolinians. Economic development, both big and small, is always going to remain our #1 priority in South Carolina – creating jobs for South Carolinians,” said S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith. “Let’s continue to work together to ensure South Carolina remains the best state to live, work and do business.”
“After 40 years in small business, I understand that small business is the lifeblood of our local communities. If you think about our most successful communities, you will see vibrant small businesses that are driving that success,” said S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander. “We thank you for what you do day-in and day-out of not only providing jobs, but also what you mean to your local communities and your investment in the communities that you are a part of.”
