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NFIB praised Gov. Henry McMaster for signing House Bill 3430, a pivotal tort reform bill that marks the beginning of a broader effort to modernize and balance South Carolina’s civil justice system.

The newly signed legislation includes reforms to the state’s joint and several liability laws, which have long exposed small businesses, particularly bars, restaurants, and music venues, to excessive legal and financial risk in lawsuits.

It also addresses liquor liability insurance, an issue that has led to skyrocketing premiums and instability in the insurance market.

The bill allows businesses such as bars and pubs to reduce the required $1 million in liability coverage by taking steps such as requiring identification scanners that can verify the authenticity of IDs on alcohol sales after midnight, meeting employee training requirements and making use of a risk-mitigation program. 

Such action could enable establishments to see the amount of required liability insurance drop by $250,000 or more each year.

Rising liquor liability insurance rates have hammered bars and other South Carolina establishments that sell alcohol, with some seeing annual premiums exceed $100,000 a year.

A significant number of S.C. bars and other businesses have gone out of business in recent years as a result.

“This is a meaningful step forward in the fight to fix South Carolina’s broken liability system,” NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer said of the legislation.

Homeyer added, “For too long, small business owners have been vulnerable to lawsuits that assign disproportionate blame and financial responsibility. House Bill 3430 begins to correct that imbalance.”

Homeyer emphasized that while the bill represents real progress, it is only the beginning of a much-needed effort to achieve comprehensive tort reform in the Palmetto State.

“This legislation lays the foundation for broader changes that are still desperately needed,” he said. “NFIB is committed to working with lawmakers in 2026 and beyond to end lawsuit abuse and build a fairer, more predictable legal environment for small businesses.”

Mega Metal, a copper wire manufacturer, selected Fairfield County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation.

The $34 million investment will create 135 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

Headquartered in Turkey, Mega Metal manufactures copper wire to serve critical industries including automotive, medical, aerospace and defense, and more.

The company has over 700 employees and distributes products to more than 30 countries.

Located at 364 Blue Granite Parkway in Ridgeway, Mega Metal’s 91,000-square-foot facility will manufacture superfine electrolytic oxygen-free (EOF) copper wire.

Once fully operational, the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is expected to produce 55 million pounds of wire annually.

Operations are expected to be online in September 2025. Those interested in joining Mega Metal should go to the company’s careers page.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved project-related job development credits.

The 2024-2025 season for harvest of oysters, mussels, clams and all other bivalves from South Carolina's State Shellfish Grounds and Public Shellfish Grounds will close on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at one half hour after official sunset, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials.

Because higher bacterial levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, shellfish harvesting during the summer months is limited to certain oyster farms that meet rigorous handling and operations requirements, the officials said.

Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until the fall, when water temperatures begin to cool and ensure that shellfish are once again safe for harvesting and consumption.

Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen October 1, 2025. Find out more about shellfish harvesting regulations here.

Although shellfish harvesting is closed to the public during the summer, the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) program accepts recycled oyster shells year-round.

Shell recycling drop-off locations are located throughout coastal counties and at a few inland locations.

Collection sites can be found online or by calling SCDNR at (843) 953-9397. Other types of shell, such as clams and whelks, are also accepted.

During the summer months, SCDNR biologists return the recycled shell to shorelines, where it provides an ideal base for juvenile oysters to attach and grow, thereby replenishing harvested beds.

When the quantity of shell needed to replant shellfish grounds exceeds that which is recycled, SCDNR must purchase shell at increasing cost.

Officials said even a modest increase in recycled shell can save a significant amount of money.

SCDNR’s shellfish recycling, restoration and enhancement efforts are funded in part by saltwater recreational fishing license sales.

Although oyster harvesting slows down in the summer, oyster reef construction heats up.

Late spring and early summer are busy months for SCORE’s community-based oyster restoration work, in which the public is invited to work with SCDNR staff and other volunteers to create oyster habitat using recycled shell.

The resulting oyster reefs provide a host of ecological services, including water filtration, nutrient cycling, and habitat for fish and invertebrates.

Check the SCORE webpage for a calendar of events or email the community restoration staff at [email protected].

Help recognize excellence in South Carolina’s business community.

The nomination period for the SC Best in Business Awards 2025 is officially underway, and we invite you to nominate the companies and professionals who are setting the standard for quality, innovation, and service across the Palmetto State.

From outstanding restaurants and retail establishments to financial firms, healthcare providers, and entrepreneurs — this is your opportunity to highlight the businesses that make a lasting impact on your community.

Nominations are open through June 8

You may submit one nomination per category per day.
Businesses with the most nominations will move on to the official voting round.

Submit your nominations here

Your nomination can help elevate South Carolina’s best and brightest. Let’s honor the businesses leading the way in 2025.

#SCBestInBusiness #SupportLocalSC #NominateExcellence #SCVotes2025