About the Upstate Chamber Coalition
Representing 14 chambers, 8,000 member-businesses, and more than 300,000 employees
Our state’s economic heart lies in the Upstate. In 2009, seven Upstate Chambers of Commerce joined forces to form the Upstate Chamber Coalition. Today, we are 14 Chambers strong united as the voice of Upstate business concerns and devoted to improving our region’s business climate.
As your advocate at the statehouse, the Upstate Chamber Coalition:
- Prevents anti-business legislation and regulation
- Researches and develops solutions to address business concerns
- Works directly with other business advocacy organizations to advocate interests of our Chambers’ members
Lobbying for Our Economic Good
The Coalition employs three government relations professionals in Columbia who work closely with the General Assembly. We are focused on creating jobs, raising per capita income, and improving our region’s incredible quality of life.
The Upstate Chamber Coalition is made up of the following member Chambers:
Matt Wills
Executive Director
Matt Wills is the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Greenville Chamber
of Commerce. In this capacity, he leads the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, as well as serves as executive director of the Upstate Chamber Coalition.
Before leading the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, he served as State Government Relations Director for Charter Communications, a Fortune 500 internet service and cable provider. Matt worked directly with local governments and legislative leaders to help state efforts to expand broadband to unserved and underserved communities across the state.
Prior to his time with the Chamber and Charter Communications, Matt worked as Senior Advisor to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. He also held several political positions, including Political Director for Rick Santorum’s 2012 Presidential Campaign and Executive Director for the Missouri Republican Party.
Matt is a retired professional golfer and graduate of the University of Alabama.