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COLUMBIA — One of the state’s largest business advocacy groups has merged with another representing hundreds of manufacturers to align their goals and expand their influence at the Statehouse.
In an Oct. 14 ceremony, leaders of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce and the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance signed documents formalizing the merger and unveiled a logo for the new organization. The newly adopted name is S.C. Manufacturers and Commerce.
They were joined by Gov. Henry McMaster and top legislative leaders at Tuesday’s announcement.
During the event, organizers named SC Manufacturing Alliance CEO Sarah Hazzard to lead the new group beginning in 2026. In prepared remarks, she highlighted tax competitiveness, lawsuit reform and workforce development as top priorities.
“By combining forces with our friends at the chamber and formalizing our partnership for the first time, we will move forward together, bigger, better and more effectively,” said Hazzard, who added the new group will represent more than 900 members statewide. “We will speak with one unified voice for manufacturers in the business community.”
Senate president Thomas Alexander, a Walhalla Republican, praised the choice of Hazzard to lead the organization.
“With Sarah’s steady leadership and the broad coalition that she represents, my door will continue to always remain open and I will be ready to listen,” Alexander said.
Chamber chairman Thomas Rhodes said the merger would “deliver more value” to its members.
“We need our interest groups because business owners don’t have time to come to Columbia and monitor everything that’s going on in the halls of the Blatt Building, or the Gressette Building,” he said. During the legislative session that ended in May, both groups backed a sweeping lawsuit reform package tying full liability to defendants found more than 50 percent at fault. Supporters of those efforts argued that years of inaction had driven up insurance premiums, reduced coverage availability and put what industry groups described as a “target” on the backs of entities that are perceived as having “deep pockets.”
Meanwhile, opponents — such as the S.C. Association for Justice — argued the measure would weaken the state’s civil liability laws without holding insurance companies responsible for their own alleged greed.
A scaled-back version of the bill, focused on liquor liability issues, was signed into law earlier this year, while other major components of the bill are anticipated to be a priority for lawmakers in the2026 legislative session.
Following the event, Hazzard said the merger had been discussed “over the years” but declined to elaborate on whether the timing was tied to any specific legislative actions.
“And this time, for a variety of reasons, it just was the right time to come together and build a combined organization,” Hazzard said. “It was just all about perfect timing.”
Nick Reynolds of The Post and Courier contributed to this report.
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