Hello fellow contractors:

I am honored to have been selected as your new SCAHACC President and look forward to seeing you at next weeks Annual Convention and Trade Show, January 16-18, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency, Greenville.  We have a great line up of business and technical education for you as well as a 60 booth trade show. Click here for more details.

The association has been talking with members in 2019 to learn more about how we can help your business be more profitable and successful.

One way we can effect change for your business is through the legislative process. The association stands on the sturdy shoulders of those who have paved the way for changes for our industry. One issue affecting us today is the potential passage of The South Carolina Business License Tax (BLT) Reform Act H.4431. If passed, this bill will lessen the burden and expense to our contractors in the requirement to have a business license in all municipalities where you do business. This bill will require one business license in your municipality of domicile and the fee will be based on your net receipts rather than the current gross receipts.

Most counties are opposed to this legislation for fear of a loss of revenue. Recognizing the impact this legislation will have on our contractors, we have secured a lobbyist to represent our interest (and other issues) at the Statehouse, and Benjamin Homeyer, President of 1101 Public Affairs, has been contracted with SCAHACC. Ben is a former consultant with McNair Law Firm, and served five years as legislative director to the South Carolina Ways and Means Committee. He is also the lobbyist for the South Carolina chapter of National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).

Socrates said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” During the last few months, your Board of Directors has labored long and hard in making a decision which will expand our foundation and open doors of growth of services to licensed trades. The Association will be changing its name and objective in 2020. Stay tuned for the announcement.

The updated objective for the association will be to elevate the levels of competence, professionalism and success of businesses and their employees that operate within the licensed trades industry in South Carolina to the benefit of the consumer. For this organization “licensed trades” includes individuals within a business that have taken and passed a skilled trade licensing exam in the state of South Carolina.

Many of our members currently provide plumbing and electrical services.  Your Board of Directors believes there is strength in numbers and our broadened focus will provide a larger voice at the State House to make positive impacts on your business.

We ask you to join with us during these changes and commit to playing a role in building a better future for all licensed contractors. I invite you to email info@scheatingandair.org with any thoughts or feedback you would like shared with our board of directors during this process.

Thank you for your commitment to this industry. From my home to yours, Happy New Years to you and your staff.

Jeff Cothran

SCAHACC President