Governor Henry McMaster’s final State of the State address emphasized several priorities important to South Carolina’s small business community, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) State Director Ben Homeyer. The governor focused on tax relief, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and judicial reform as key areas for supporting local businesses.
“Throughout his term, Governor McMaster has shown that he understands South Carolina’s economic strength depends on maintaining an environment that supports its small businesses,” Homeyer said. “He recognizes that small business owners want a stable, predictable environment where they can grow, hire, and invest without being buried by costs or legal uncertainty.”
During his speech, Governor McMaster reiterated his intention to continue reducing personal income taxes and expressed openness to eliminating the tax entirely if lawmakers can develop a workable plan.
“Reducing the state income tax matters to small businesses because many of them file as pass-through entities and pay taxes at the individual rate,” Homeyer said. “Every dollar small business owners keep is a dollar they can reinvest in their employees, their equipment, or their communities.”
The governor also addressed infrastructure needs tied to population growth and economic expansion. He called for more funding to ensure road and bridge projects remain on schedule despite increasing construction costs.
“Infrastructure is a necessity for small businesses,” Homeyer said. “Reliable roads, utilities, and access to power directly affect whether small businesses can operate efficiently and serve their customers.”
Judicial reform was another focus of the address. The governor proposed changes to how judges are selected and improvements in the magistrate court system. NFIB members have raised concerns about lawsuit abuse and inconsistent court practices impacting business operations.
“Small business owners cannot afford a system that encourages lawsuit abuse or lacks consistency,” Homeyer said. “Efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the courts are worth serious consideration.”
Workforce development featured prominently as well. The governor highlighted ongoing investments in technical colleges, job training programs, and efforts to better align education with employer needs.
“Small businesses across South Carolina continue to struggle to find qualified workers,” Homeyer said. “Programs that expand skills training and improve access to education help address one of the biggest challenges facing Main Street employers.”
Homeyer stated that NFIB members plan to work with legislators during this session on policies aimed at ensuring South Carolina remains supportive of small business ownership and growth.
