Two top South Carolina business advocacy groups will merge in the new year.
On Tuesday, the South Carolina Manufacturer’s Alliance and the state Chamber of Commerce announced the two will combine into one organization, South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce. The merger is effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The pair’s leaders said the merger will help the business community speak and advocate with one voice.
Sara Hazzard, CEO of the Manufacturer’s Alliance since 2018, will be the new 900-member organization’s president and CEO.
Standing with the governor and Statehouse leaders, Hazzard called the merger a "transformational opportunity."
Hazzard said the group will get involved in policy changes ranging from lawsuit reform, regulatory process and energy.
State lawmakers have already started addressing tort reform legislation ahead of the 2026 legislative session that starts in January.
A special S.C. House committee on Tuesday started looking at ways to control the rising costs of medical malpractice and construction liability insurance.
This story will be updated.
Russ McKinney contributed to this report.
