COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The primary purpose of the Government Affairs Committee of The Chamber is to promote a healthy business environment in Columbia County by supporting legislation and other governmental action which encourages a strong business climate along with growing economic opportunities.

The Committee welcomes input provided by Chamber members to help them recognize issues that are important to the business community.  If you have identified an issue which impacts the business community please follow the link below and complete the Advocacy Request form.

Advocacy Request
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Columbia County Day at the Capitol was huge SuCCess!  Click here to view event photos.
Governmental Affairs Committee - Legislative Agenda

Purpose: To identify, discuss and, through the Chamber Board of Directors, act upon local, state and federal issues that potentially affect the Chamber members, Columbia County and the CSRA.
Objectives:
  • Develop an annual Legislative Agenda, communicating policy positions on issues and key concerns to the Chamber members and the business community.
  • Monitor local, regional, state and federal government issues and provide timely information to chamber members via the Chamber’s web page and local media.
  • Utilize media advocacy to communicate policy and community positions.
SPLOST, Bond or Tax Issues, Ballot or Referendum propositions
  • Establish working relationships and effectively communicate with other community key stakeholders, effectively addressing key issues.
CC Government, Development Authority, CSRA Alliance, Fort Gordon, CVB and CSRA Chambers.
  • Conduct the following annual events
1.  Pre-Legislative Breakfast - November
2.  Post-Legislative Breakfast – May
3.  Columbia County Day – January
4.  Washington D.C. trip with Chambers in the CSRA
  • Establish and keep current a Governmental Affairs Committee section on the Chamber’s Web Page. This will include current policy positions, endorsements and support. Current contact information and links to local, state and federal officials and other key resources.
  • Survey Chamber Members – periodically to provide feedback and / or support for key issues or concerns.
  • Actively monitors and shares local, regional, state and federal information and legislation with the Chamber’s members.
  • Keep an annual Legislative Scorecard (voting record) of elected officials.
  • It is the position of the Chamber and Governmental Affairs Committee to be a non-partisan organization and also not to endorse specific candidates for any public office.
  • Consider initiating a Visioning Process to help determine what Columbia County will look like in 2020.
  • Continue to work with local and state government to establish processes to facilitate communication and problem solving between local businesses and government.
  • Maintain regular conduct with county, state and federal officials.
  • We endorse the actions of the Columbia County Commission to secure the services of an advocacy firm and will work collaboratively with them.

Governmental Affairs Committee - Legislative Agenda

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, as a representative of our business members, has a duty to express their opinions and interests on matters affecting and impacting their local community. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce emphasizes these key areas: 

Under each of the following categories an annual work plan will be developed:

Economic Development
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce acts in concert with the Development Authority and other agencies to continue business expansion and job growth within our county.  Economic development must be performed in a managed way so that the growth does not degrade our competitiveness and reduce our overall attractiveness as a nationally-ranked community to live, work and play.

Specifically, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the current initiatives:

  • Plant Vogtle   The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the expansion of Plant Vogtle.  The nuclear industry’s proven record of supplying a safe, reliable and cost-effective power source is only one of the many reasons our organization will encourage the Georgia Public Service Commission to approve this project.
  • Although nuclear power plants currently provide approximately 20% of the nation’s electricity, this percentage must be increased in order to meet the growing demand for energy. The nuclear industry provides one of the cleanest, most efficient methods of producing power. 

Infrastructures and Roads
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the systematic development of county infrastructure and roads in order to provide for the needs of our growing population.  County and other government services must be provided at a reasonable cost in order to keep our level of taxation fair and competitive.

Education, Technology and Workforce Development
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports programs and initiatives directed at providing a unified, seamless, and world-class system of education and training, research and development. We endorse and support state of the art technology and methodologies, with committed public service associated with all levels (preK-12, technical & adult, college/university), focused on meeting the talent needs of business employers, as well as public and private organizations.  A highly-education and well-trained workforce serves to attract quality, high wage jobs and increases the quality of life for all residents.

Specifically, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the current initiatives:

  • Our school systems have the resources and technology that they need to educate our students and prepare them for the 21st Century.
  • Promote legislation that provides incentives for states to raise academic standards and improve assessments to align them with college and workplace expectations.
  • Continue to support and promote a federal employment and training system that is driven by the actual needs of employers based upon accurate and timely local labor market data.

Taxes and Tax Reform
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports a reform of Columbia County’s, State of Georgia’s and the Federal tax system. If the tax reform plan provides meaningful incentives that support recruitment of strategic or targeted business and industry, as well as the growth of existing business and industry; and provides provisions that keep local revenues under local control.

Specifically, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the current initiatives:

  • Local control over property tax relief programs that are used on a limited and selective basis when a community is competing for a new or expanding business or industry is vital and should be maintained, notwithstanding any form of tax reform.
  • In consultation with local governments, statewide legislation to provide for phasing-in “freeport” (inventory property tax exemptions) is much needed in order for Georgia to succeed when competing with other states, particularly for warehouse and distribution projects.
  • Existing economic development sales and use tax exemptions should be retained under any form of tax reform. In addition, development authority building materials should be legislatively exempted from the sales and use tax.
  • Legislation is needed to make income tax credits transferable. This would allow earlier stage companies to raise capital by selling unneeded tax credits to more established companies with an income tax liability. The General Assembly should allow tax credits to be applied against wage withholding statewide. Columbia County calls on the General Assembly to comprehensively update the BEST statutes that govern these and other tax credits, in order to make this law an economic development “Tool for the 21st Century.”
  • Our communities and the State can increase their tax base and reduce the pressure on homeowners to provide funding for services and growth.
  • Local revenues are available and sufficient to fund infrastructure and site development to attract new business and industry and support existing industry.

Healthcare and Medical
Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports health care solutions, efforts and reforms on improving the current private sector health care delivery system and controlling health care costs through wellness initiatives, disease prevention, and investment in health information technology systems that improve patient safety, drive quality and enable efficient delivery of health care.  We support tort reform for health care and their providers.

Water Management, Environment & Energy
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports initiatives that address air quality, water quality, water quantity, comprehensive planning, and growth management through public-private and intergovernmental partnerships as well as policies that emphasize incentives versus government mandates.

Specifically, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the current initiatives:

  • Continue to monitor the statewide water planning process so that the plan protects water resources for economic development throughout Georgia. Any recommendations of the Georgia Water Council, and any action by the General Assembly, must provide flexibility and preserve Georgia’s ability to meet future water needs through the use of a full range of water management tools. Support full funding of the scientific analysis of state water resources recommended in the draft statewide water plan.
  • Support continuation of essential environmental infrastructure financing programs of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). Especially those that allow local governments to meet the requirements of the new statewide water plan.
  • Protect the assets of the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund and support the re-authorization of the Solid Waste Trust Fund for the original purpose of financing environmental projects.
  • Support the continuation of improvement in the environmental permitting process so that permits are issued at the speed of business. In addition, ensure that Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD): Is responsive to the regulated community, and provides timely liaison, guidance, facilitation, and coordination of permit review and issuance to businesses.
  • Support Federal policies and a state implementation plan (SIP) for ozone and particulate matter non-attainment that will protect Georgia’s opportunity for jobs and economic development, and that retains existing standards in order to encourage continued efforts toward compliance.
  • Consider appropriate sewage disposal and solid waste disposal policies at the state and local level that are consistent with support for economic development and monitor the development of policy in this area as a result of the draft statewide water plan.

Transportation
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Columbia County Chamber supports a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation system for Columbia County, the CSRA, state of Georgia and nationwide. Georgia that provides transportation alternatives to relieve urban congestion and provide rural access; and a cooperative partnership among all transportation related organizations.

Specifically, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce supports the current initiatives:

  • The use of center turn lanes in high traffic, commercial areas – Center turn lanes provide the safest, most convenient access to businesses on both sides of a highway.  A concrete median interrupts the flow of traffic and are often a detriment to the growth and success of many companies.