By Lydia Dishman

SCBIZ Daily Contributing Writer

COLUMBIA -- State Rep. Daniel Cooper was named Small Business Legislator of the Year at the Fifth Annual Salute to Small Business at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center held this week.

“I had no idea. I was really surprised,” said Cooper, who is also the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The award is given by The South Carolina Coalition for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SC Inc.) and based on a set of established criteria focused on assistance provided to state small businesses, including legislation support and voting record, as well as leadership qualities and community involvement.

Haidee Stith, chairman of SC, Inc. said, “Representative Cooper has been a consistent supporter of small business for many years. As a small business person himself, he recognizes the importance of small business in the South Carolina economy.”

The Piedmont native, who is Vice President and partner of Capstone Insurance Services based in Greenville, said he understands the challenges faced by small business because he experienced them first hand. “I worked in my father’s clothing store and my uncle’s furniture store from the time I was 12 years old,” Cooper recalled. “I am very sympathetic to what it means to run a small business. Small retailers struggle against big box stores, and hometown stores just can’t be as competitive.”

Cooper said he is doing everything he can to help. “We look for ways to incentivize small business, to reduce or eliminate obstacles such as taxation and regulation.” He believes it is important to find ways to help small business owners who he cited as having roughly 90% of employees statewide.

One way he did this was to sponsor the Small Business Health Insurance Act, which allows a number of small businesses to join together to purchase insurance for themselves and employees at more competitive rates. Cooper also assisted with legislation on venture capital funding and South Carolina property tax relief.

“We are creating opportunities to help existing businesses grow, as well as start up new ones around the knowledge-based economy such as bio-engineering, information technology, and more research and development,” he said.

As the Upstate pushes to attract more automotive-related industry, Cooper is confident that, “Smaller businesses can bring in new products for the auto industry by developing new technology, parts and alternative fuel sources.”

Though the House passed its budget proposal reflecting cuts over last year’s, Cooper explained, “We fund education first, then prioritize the things that will help us be competitive to attract new and better jobs.”

“As a small business owner myself, I understand the value of small business and its economic and social impact on South Carolina,” Cooper said. “I will always do what I can to protect those that own and operate small businesses and appreciate their contribution to South Carolina.”