Chamber sets State of the Region breakfast Wednesday

To paraphrase The Who: Meet the new agenda, same as the old agenda.

Members of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce have voted to set the agenda for the annual State of the Region breakfast. And it looks a lot like last year's plan.

Just as it did last year, the chamber conducted an online poll to help shape the discussion with local political leaders.

Just as in 2007, immigration and the expansion of Bluffton Parkway were deemed the top two issues facing the local business community.

This year's No. 3 issue is education quality and funding. Last year, regional growth finished third in the poll. This year, the growth issue dropped to fourth.

Roughly 200 of 1,500 chamber members responded to the poll, a response rate similar to last year, said Charlie Clark, vice president of communications for the chamber.

Beaufort County Council Chairman Weston Newton, Bluffton Mayor Hank Johnston, Hardeeville Mayor Bronco Bostick and Hilton Head Island Mayor Tom Peeples all are scheduled to speak at the event Wednesday at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa.

Those elected officials are expected to talk about the top three issues from the poll during short speeches, before they take questions from the audience.

Clark expects the event to sell out, with more than 600 people in attendance. Some seats still are available.

IF YOU GO

• Registration for the 13th annual State of the Region breakfast and forum will begin at8:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. The program starts at 9 a.m.

• The cost is $25 for chamber members and $35 for non-members.

• For more information or to make reservations, contact Anna Cauthen at 843-341-8379 or acauthen@hiltonheadisland.org.