ST. MATTHEWS, S.C.  – The fact that South Carolina currently has higher business taxes than neighboring states will hurt the Palmetto State’s ability to attract new business in the future, the president and chief executive officer of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce told members of the Calhoun County Chamber during their August meeting.

Otis B. Rawl Jr., who grew up in St. Matthews and North, said the vision and mission of the S. C. Chamber is to create wealth for the people, which translates into jobs.

South Carolina ranks 10th among the states in growing jobs, he said, noting that jobs are being created at 16 percent while the birth rate is at 8 percent.

But Rawl said high business taxes are hurting that state. Although South Carolina’s residential property taxes are low, business taxes are 45 percent – higher than North Carolina and Georgia at 36 percent and 30 percent, respectively, he said.

Rawl, who retired from the S.C. Department of Revenue, told the group the number one issue today for the state is workforce readiness. Training is a big concern, he said.

Currently, Rawl said, the state’s high school graduation rate is 66 percent and the goal for 2020 is 90 percent. The state Chamber is working with the technical colleges to get more people a GED. he said, adding that 400,000 to 700,000 South Carolina residents are functionally illiterate.

In addition, Rawl said the Port of Charleston, the seventh largest port on the East Coast, needs restructuring so it can handle larger, heavier cargo ships by 2014, when the Panama Canal widening will be completed.

Another concern of the S.C. Chamber, he said, is health care since it is the second highest business expense after payroll. Rawl said 720,000 state residents do not have health insurance.

On energy policy, Rawl said the federal government’s “Cap and Trade Tax” will significantly increase the cost of energy.

The Calhoun Chamber’s August meeting was held at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

n T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276.

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