A Conversation with Carl Blackstone

Our President and CEO Carl Blackstone recently sat down with Alan Cooper of MidlandsBiz to discuss his ideas for the Chamber. This article is republished with permission from MidlandsBiz. See the original article on the MidlandsBiz website.

MidlandsBiz:
What is your education and professional background?

Carl Blackstone:
My professional background is in public policy, government relations, and strategic communications. I have worked in and around the South Carolina State House for much of my career, working as senior legislative advisor to Governor Mark Sanford, manager of state government relations for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and a government relations advisor for the clients of Copper Dome Strategies, LLC. I graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in business administration.

MidlandsBiz
How did you become the President of the Chamber?  What unique characteristics do you bring to the Chamber job?

Carl Blackstone:
My background with the State Chamber, my experience at the Governor’s Office, and my focus on public policy the last few years made me a unique candidate for the job. My career in government affairs taught me to reach across the aisle consistently and collaborate with others to make progress.

MidlandsBiz
What is your leadership style?

Carl Blackstone:
My leadership style is simple: surround yourself with hardworking and innovative people, and give them a seat at the table. Everyone has something to contribute to the conversation. Once I’ve heard all the angles, I’m much better equipped to make the right decision.

MidlandsBiz
How does the Chamber under your leadership differ from the Chamber under Ike McLeese’s leadership?  How has the mission of the Chamber evolved over time?  Does the mission change under your leadership?

Carl Blackstone:
Ike was a great leader and visionary for the Columbia Chamber. He was known for his love of Fort Jackson and the military, and was the face of business in the Midlands. While it is important for us to respect and glean lessons from the past, I hope to take the Chamber in a slightly different direction. Our biggest focus will be making the Midlands more business-friendly through an enhanced public policy program.

The Columbia Chamber’s mission will remain the same: to create and promote an environment where businesses can flourish. We will continue to provide valuable networking opportunities, professional development, and small business workshops. In the next several years, however, we will be looking at how we can affect change at the city, county, and state level through our advocacy efforts.

MidlandsBiz
What are the Top Three issues facing the Chamber in 2015? What is new and exciting at the Chamber under your leadership?

Carl Blackstone:
We recently underwent a major rebranding, which you’ll see in publications, on all of our social media channels, and on billboards throughout the area. The idea behind our new brand, “Partners for a Greater Columbia,” is bringing Chamber businesses together with a common vision and idea: to create and promote an environment where businesses can flourish. We now reference our members as “partners,” reinforcing the idea that we’re all in this together. The Columbia Chamber is only as strong as our partners, and we intend to serve as their united voice in our community and government.

A lot of our exciting changes have happened behind the scenes – we have a new website, we’re transitioning to a new database, and we’ve been focused on putting more structure in place internally while implementing new technologies. All of these changes will help the Columbia Chamber operate at an optimal level to better serve our partners.

Of course, we’ll continue to provide networking opportunities, professional development, and business training. Our mission remains the same, but we will be enhancing the advocacy piece of the equation so we can give even more value to our partners. Our biggest focus will be ramping up our public policy initiatives. We’re drafting position statements and a legislative agenda. We’ve been sitting down with our partners over the last several months, and our main priorities for 2015 will be transportation, workforce development, and tax policy.

Our guiding principle is simple: we will support legislation that will help the region to attract new quality business, industry and jobs, help entrepreneurs create new businesses, and help the region retain and grow existing business and industry. With reference to transportation and infrastructure, we recognize that without the ability to move goods and services to customers, businesses cannot compete and succeed. We will advocate for investment in and maintenance of modern road, airport, rail and other infrastructure required for the region to effectively compete in the global marketplace.

Developing a highly-skilled and well-educated workforce is critical for increasing job opportunities for our region’s citizens and securing long-term growth for business. We will advocate for necessary changes in early childhood, K-12 and higher education to prepare our students for the careers of the future.

Another priority will be advocating for a tax climate that is conducive to business expansion. We’ll be looking into local taxation and lowering the cost of doing business in the Midlands so that our region’s tax structure is competitive with neighboring regions and states.

MidlandsBiz
What are some of the roadblocks to advancing this strategy?

Carl Blackstone:
As with any advocacy effort, there are opportunities to bring differing viewpoints and new faces to the table. I think the Columbia Chamber is better equipped for this role now than it ever has been, and our partners are eager to see some positive change in the business community that will affect their bottom lines. The key to moving our region forward, however, is getting people from all sides of an issue to sit down and have frank discussion about where we’re headed.

MidlandsBiz
What is the business model for the Chamber?  How does it make money?

Carl Blackstone:
The Columbia Chamber is a non-profit association. We get our support from our partners. The Midlands business community realizes that the sum is greater than the parts, and through partnership, they can have a stronger voice in the community. Our business partners also support us through our programs, events, and initiatives.

MidlandsBiz
Talk about the Good to Great Campaign.  Where does this program stand?

Carl Blackstone:
When the Good to Great foundation was formed eight years ago, the idea was to create a dialogue throughout the Midlands. We’ve been very successful in partnering with Randy Halfacre of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and working with other regional chambers through the Midstate Chamber Coalition. Another part of Good to Great focuses on the military presence we have in central South Carolina – and there’s no doubt that we’ve been very successful on that end. Our goal moving forward is to continue that mission of broadening our regional focus. The Good to Great foundation knows that what’s good on one side of the river is good for the other. We’re seeking to answer the question, “How can the Midlands region speak with a stronger, more unified voice?”

Sign the Petition to Support Fort Jackson

A Petition to Support Fort Jackson

Click here to sign the Petition! Petitions due by August 20.

We, the Greater Midlands Community, pride ourselves on being military friendly and that designation is derived from the partnership we have developed with Fort Jackson and all of our military installations in the state.

We are grateful for the continued investments the U.S. Army has made in Fort Jackson which enhance Fort Jackson’s military value, leading to improved quality of life and strategic and operational value of the base at a low cost to the U.S. Army.

WE are concerned that the economic impact of force reductions at Fort Jackson would be devastating to the region.

Losing 3,100 jobs at Fort Jackson would equate to (over five years):

• An immediate $189M impact on income for the Midlands
• A population loss of 7,733 (soldiers, direct and indirect employees, spouses and dependents)
• A reduction of $286M in sales, including sales tax receipts of $3.3M
• A reduction in Impact Aid in our schools with the loss of approximately 3,000 dependent
  children of school age.

Also, our “outside the gate” communities depend on the trainees, their families, and their investment in the communities.

I urge the Department of the U.S. Army to avoid making any further budget cuts at Fort Jackson.

Furthurmore, I encourage the U.S. Army to consider bringing additional training missions to Fort Jackson which would enhance it as a center of excellence allowing the U.S. Army greater cost benefit ratios in IET soldier training/production.

Click here to sign the Petition! Petitions due by August 20.

Sign the Petition to Support Fort Jackson

A Petition to Support Fort Jackson

Click here to sign the Petition! Petitions due by August 20.

We, the Greater Midlands Community, pride ourselves on being military friendly and that designation is derived from the partnership we have developed with Fort Jackson and all of our military installations in the state.

We are grateful for the continued investments the U.S. Army has made in Fort Jackson which enhance Fort Jackson’s military value, leading to improved quality of life and strategic and operational value of the base at a low cost to the U.S. Army.

WE are concerned that the economic impact of force reductions at Fort Jackson would be devastating to the region.

Losing 3,100 jobs at Fort Jackson would equate to (over five years):

• An immediate $189M impact on income for the Midlands
• A population loss of 7,733 (soldiers, direct and indirect employees, spouses and dependents)
• A reduction of $286M in sales, including sales tax receipts of $3.3M
• A reduction in Impact Aid in our schools with the loss of approximately 3,000 dependent
  children of school age.

Also, our “outside the gate” communities depend on the trainees, their families, and their investment in the communities.

I urge the Department of the U.S. Army to avoid making any further budget cuts at Fort Jackson.

Furthurmore, I encourage the U.S. Army to consider bringing additional training missions to Fort Jackson which would enhance it as a center of excellence allowing the U.S. Army greater cost benefit ratios in IET soldier training/production.

Click here to sign the Petition! Petitions due by August 20.

Richland Penny Tax Program Adding Up

Shared from Columbia Regional Business Report

Richland County’s transportation sales tax has brought in $53 million during the first year, $3 million more than originally projected.

The additional revenue puts the county closer to the voter-approved goal of generating $1.07 billion through a penny sales tax increase over 22 years.

If tax collections continue to top projections, the tax initiative could reach its goal sooner than expected, county officials said.

Seven miles of dirt roads paid for through the transportation tax are being paved this summer, said Rob Perry, county transportation director.

Improvement to a half dozen intersections also should begin soon.

“That’s six of our 15 planned intersections,” he said. “So we’re really excited about that.”

The six intersections are Broad River Road and Rushmore Road, North Springs Road and Risdon Way, North Springs Road and Clemson Road, Summit Parkway and Summit Ridge Road, Pisgah Church Road and Farrow Road, and Kennerly Road and Steeple Ridge Road.

Construction could begin within nine months, depending on S.C. Department of Transportation reviews and approvals.

Additionally, 13 miles of county roads are expected to be resurfaced in the fall, and four more dirt roads will be paved.

To have the transportation program running at full production, the county still needs to prioritize projects.

That job will be handled by the program development team of ICA Engineering, Brownstone Construction Group and M.B. Kahn Construction Co., which was hired June 30 by the County Council. The team will rank projects by category and submit recommendations in October to the County Council.

Before construction occurs, Perry said the program development team also will be responsible for updating cost estimates, setting up a right-of-way acquisitions policy, managing utility relocations, and handling procurement, finance and accounting policies.

“These are all the big things you have to have in place to implement a huge transportation program,” Perry said. “You need to have these upfront documents and policies and procedures ironed out.”

Statement from Columbia Chamber Support for Sheriff Lott Plan

“The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce fully endorses Columbia City Council member Cameron Runyan’s plan to contract Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott to manage the City of Columbia’s police department. Public safety, economic development and job creation are top priorities of the Chamber and our business community. Our neighbors and our business owners deserve the right to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in our business districts. Public safety is critical to moving our city from good to great to achieve status as a world-class city.

We firmly believe Sheriff Lott, based on his past performance, has the credibility and proven results to bring about positive changes in the Columbia Police Department, which will benefit our entire community. Sheriff Lott is a well respected leader throughout Columbia, the state and law enforcement. We encourage our city council members to embrace this plan and help make it a reality.”

–  Holt Chetwood | Chair, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce

The Columbia Chamber will hold a press conference on this opportunity, at 9 am, Thursday, March 13 at the Chamber’s office located on 930 Richland Street.

We urge our Chamber members to please make plans to attend and show your support Thursday morning.

Recent media coverage on plan via The State Media Company.

SC Chamber to Host Affordable Care Act Seminar | Oct. 29

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) launched a new era in the American health care system by increasing access to health insurance coverage, expanding federal private health insurance market requirements and requiring the creation of health insurance exchanges to provide individuals and small employers with access to insurance among other things.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce will host a one day seminar on Oct. 29 at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Seminar Highlights Include:

• ACA – How did we get here?
• Legislative and Case Law Update
• Individual Mandate: What do I do now?
• The Healthcare Marketplace: Open for Business
• Employer Mandate: What do I do now?
• The Changing Face of Health Care Delivery and Options for Business Marketplace
• Enforcement Issues

View the full agenda here.

For more information or to register, click here.

Chamber Endorses Councilman Runyan’s Six Goals to Address Homelessness

The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce on Monday announced its support for Councilman Cameron Runyan’s six goals to address homelessness in the City of Columbia. The goals stem from his full plan, Columbia Cares: A Vision for Addressing Homelessness, which provides both short term and long term solutions to addressing Columbia’s homeless issue.

Columbia Cares is a comprehensive plan to help our homeless population while improving our downtown business environment. There is currently a high concentration of homelessness in the City of Columbia, with the most heavily concentrated areas being in the downtown district. As a result, the growth of economic development is being hindered, and business owners are beginning to look elsewhere to set up shop.

“The City of Columbia has made significant progress in addressing our homeless population with the opening of Transitions,” said Ike McLeese, President & CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “But there is still more work to be done. Through these six initiatives and the work of local officials and community and business leaders, we can service those in need and continue to grow and expand commerce in our downtown community.”

The Chamber’s announcement comes after calls by Councilman Cameron Runyan for City Council to vote on the proposal at their meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2013.

“While we endorse these six goals presented by Councilman Runyan, we understand to achieve these objectives we must first bring together providers, business leaders and elected officials to develop a compressive plan,” said Lee Bussell, chair of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “The Columbia Chamber has offered its services to facilitate this important discussion and help move our community forward.”

Columbia Cares: A Vision for Addressing Homelessness, is a six point plan for approaching downtown Columbia’s homeless issues. Most importantly, this is a compassionate plan that treats our city’s homeless with respect and gives them the assistance they need to improve their lives, with a foundation of accountability.

To review Councilman Ruyan’s full plan, click here.

Bull Street: Construction to begin soon on city within city

Bob Hughes

Top News, The State Newspaper | July 18

GREENVILLE — A landmark redevelopment of the old State Hospital campus along Bull Street in Columbia could begin as soon as this fall, Greenville developer Bob Hughes told The State in his first public comments on the project in nearly three years.

The Bull Street sale – a decade in the making – is considered to be the largest and most significant land deal in modern Columbia history, promising to transform the downtown area with thousands of homes, stores and offices.

Hughes said he withheld public comment on his plans because he didn’t want to affect the negotiation of a development agreement with the city, which was approved by Columbia City Council on July 9.

To read the full story, click here.

McLeese Talks #BullStreet with @WVOCColumbia

Chamber President, Ike McLeese, sits down with JR from 100.01 WVOC FM News Talk to talk what’s next for the Bull Street Development.

Listen now…

Bull Street Development Agreement Hearing Today at 2 PM

The Bull Street Development Hearing will take place today at the Earlewood Community Center, 113 Parkside Drive, at 2 PM.

Please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 803.545.3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.net if you cannot attend the hearing and would like to share your comments.

Please visit www.columbiaplanning.net to view the full Development Agreement and all exhibits.