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Thread-Topic: Business in the Low country
From: <governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com>
To: <governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com>
Subject: Business in the Low country
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2015 17:02:52 -0500
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<APP>CUSTOM
<PREFIX>Mr.</PREFIX>
<FIRST>John</FIRST>
<MIDDLE></MIDDLE>
<LAST>Ellenbecker</LAST>
<SUFFIX></SUFFIX>
<TITLE>Manager</TITLE>
<ORGANIZATION></ORGANIZATION>
<ADDR1>258 Stoney Crossing</ADDR1>
<ADDR2></ADDR2>
<CITY>Bluffton</CITY>
<STATE>SC</STATE>
<ZIP>29910</ZIP>
<EMAIL>johngpidesign@gmail.com</EMAIL>
<PHONE_H>843-298-0716</PHONE_H>
<PHONE_B></PHONE_B>
<ISSUE>ETHI</ISSUE>
<SUBJECT>Business in the Low country</SUBJECT>
<MSG>
I would like to bring to your attention an ongoing issue we have in the Low Country. I am sure some of you are aware that there are a large number of businesses here that do not retain business licenses and pay their "employees" cash. Some of them "1099" the workers as if they are Subcontractors. These business owners are not carrying liability insurance or work mans comp. They do not contribute to our economy in the way of taxes at all. 
Every day I see Landscape (and other) companies with employees that don't have drivers licenses. I only know this because I have had these same people ask me for jobs.
I have nothing against the Hispanic community; I just don't understand how ALL these companies can hire undocumented workers and get away with it. I see contractors doing work for the county and the town of Hilton Head with undocumented workers. I don't get it??? What am I missing?? 
Now, this is not to say that they don't offer a valid service to the clients, but as a manager of two local small businesses, I have a hard time being competitive in my field. I CANNOT compete with a company that only charges $25 or $35 per man hour. Just with the federal and state burden, a $12 an hour employee cost me about $23 per hour. This doesn't include the burden of insurance, rent, fuel, ECT.
I am trying to do my part by verifying with local government that at least they have Business licenses, but this is NOT enough. 
I am asking you, our county and state leaders, for help. I need to know what more I can do for Legal Businesses.  I know a number of Business Owners that tell me the same thing. I have a number of clients that ask me why my pricing is so much more than XYZ Company. Most homeowners don't realize how big the problem really is. I wonder if our "government leaders" do.  
I know this can't be solved overnight, but I would like to know what, if anything is being done to help. 
I can be contacted Via email johngpidesign@gmail.com or by phone at 843-298-0716.
I look forward you're response.
Sincerely
John Ellenbecker
GPI Design Inc.
Do All Maintenance Services.



</MSG>

</APP>