Talking Points

Our state ranks 38th in business friendliness in a recent Wallethub.com survey. That compares with Georgia ranked 3rd and North Carolina at 14th. But Lexington Chamber of Commerce President Otis Rawl advises not to put too much stock in such ratings. “Each report is different depending on variables measured. Chief Executive ranks SC as the 8th best place to operate a business. “Our state ranks extremely high in taxation, particularly on commercial and industrial taxes,” Rawl said.SC Chamber of Commerce President Ted Pitts of Lexington agrees. “We need to fix the structural issues in our tax code,” he said. “Our uncompetitive business license tax and commercial property taxes are holding us back from becoming a leader for startups and small business.” Rawl wondered what Georgia and North Carolina scores would look like without Atlanta and Charlotte. “We should develop a major economic center as Atlanta and Charlotte have done around a major cluster. “Major clusters around the automobile industry, insurance and tire industries have added real value to SC. “If we continue to focus on life sciences as an additional cluster, SC can continue to improve our position.”