We hope you and your family had a great Memorial Day weekend as summer unofficially gets underway.
After a busy and successful legislative session, it’s hard to believe that early voting has already started for South Carolina’s primaries. As issues impacting our business community continue to take center stage, it’s important that our members stay engaged and make their voices heard through the election process. Early voting runs now through Friday, June 5, and you can cast your ballot at any early voting center in your county between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. The official primary election day is June 9th, with run-offs held on June 23rd.
There’s a lot of momentum ahead, and we’re excited about what’s to come. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and continuing our work together.
In This Issue
Four on Friday
1. Legislative Update – Week 20
South Carolina’s congressional redistricting effort officially came to an end this week after the Senate rejected a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections. Read the legislative update here.
2. Small Business Spotlight: A.T. Locke
To celebrate National Small Business Month, SCMC is highlighting the small businesses helping shape South Carolina. This week, we’re spotlighting A.T. LOCKE, a Greenville-based management accounting company that has spent nearly two decades helping businesses get more out of their financial reporting and information critical for decision making. Read more.
3. Calling All Manufacturers: Compensation & Benefits Survey, AI Roundtable
The 2026 SCMC/SC Future Makers Compensation & Benefits Survey has been sent to SCMC manufacturing members. The survey collects data on compensation, benefits, pay ranges, incentives, and more across approximately 102 positions. The more companies that participate, the more valuable the results will be. If you have not received your survey link, contact Hannah Wohlman at hannah.wohlman@newportgroup.com. Additionally, SCMC will host a roundtable discussion for manufacturers on Wednesday, June 3, from 1:00–3:00 PM at the SCMC office in Columbia to explore how artificial intelligence can strengthen manufacturing and support future workforce development opportunities.
4. Supplier Opportunities with Westinghouse
The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition will host an informational webinar with Westinghouse’s AP1000 Nuclear procurement team on Thursday, June 11, at 10:30 AM. The session will give local suppliers in construction, logistics, manufacturing, and other industries an opportunity to learn about vendor needs related to the Fairfield (V.C. Summer) project, including Westinghouse’s procurement process and supplier qualifications. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Amy Tinsley at Amy.Tinsley@myscmc.org to receive a calendar invitation and webinar link.
Upcoming Events
Southern Supplier Summit | June 22-23, 2026
SC Workforce and Manufacturing Summit | Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2026
2026 SCMC Annual Meeting | Nov. 10-12, 2026
Legislative Update – Week 20
South Carolina’s congressional redistricting effort officially came to an end this week after the Senate rejected a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections.
Despite giving the bill a second reading on Saturday, the Senate ultimately voted 26-18 on Tuesday to reject the measure, effectively ending the effort for the year. Several Republican senators joined Democrats in opposition, citing concerns over changing district lines after early voting had already begun, the rushed legislative process, and potential legal uncertainty surrounding a new map. The proposal’s collapse came just hours after South Carolina opened early voting for the June primaries, which election officials said had already seen record turnout.
Lawmakers technically remain in special session, allowing the General Assembly to continue operating under its normal procedural rules. However, this session is winding down. Conference committees, including the committee negotiating the FY2026-27 state budget, are expected to meet next week, with lawmakers scheduled to return to Columbia after the June 9 primary to finalize the budget and approve conference reports.
Member Spotlight
Allegiance Flag Supply Lands NASCAR Partnership Ahead of U.S. 250th Anniversary
Allegiance Flag Supply is speeding onto the national NASCAR stage with a new sponsorship deal tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. The North Charleston-based company has been named the new entitlement sponsor for Nashville Superspeedway’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, now officially called the Allegiance 200. Read more.
