Small businesses aren’t just shops—they’re the heartbeat of District 10. I was the owner of Antonio’s in Powdersville. I know how tough it is to keep a small business running with all the pressure of taxes and regulations the government bestows upon us.
I grew up in Powdersville and Piedmont, grabbing coffee at local spots, buying tools from family-owned stores, and watching neighbors turn ideas into livelihoods. And I lived it myself: I opened my own business right here, pouring sweat and savings into making it work—hiring locals, paying bills on time, and learning firsthand how tough regulations, taxes, and big-chain competition can be.
From Coyote Coffee in Powdersville to those hardworking mechanics and boutiques along Highway 81, and in the heart of Piedmont, these places keep our communities alive. They create jobs, pay taxes, and give kids their first paychecks. But red tape and rising costs make it harder every year. That’s why I’ll fight in Columbia for real relief to push forward the Small Business Tax Cut of 2026—exempting the first ten thousand dollars of personal property from taxes—so owners keep more money for hiring, stocking shelves, or upgrading
I’ll back E-Verify to level the playing field, cut unnecessary regulations, and direct state grants—like SSBCI loans—straight to our local entrepreneurs. No more out-of-state giants squeezing us out.
District 10 is growing fast, but growth should lift everyone—not leave small folks behind. I’ll champion workforce training through local programs, faster permits for expansions, and incentives that reward hiring right here in Piedmont and Powdersville and Southeast Easley.
Because when our small businesses thrive, families thrive. Jobs stay local. Dreams get built. And District 10 stays strong. As your representative—and as someone who’s been in your shoes—I’ll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every owner. Pro-small business. Pro-District 10. Pro-you.
I will be a champion for new business and small businesses and not leave the small folks behind.
Stewart Watson