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Residents and advocates urge Sumter County to ease business-license restrictions for returning citizens
Summary
At a long public-comment period on Jan. 23, more than a dozen residents, reentry advocates and civil-rights leaders urged Sumter County Council to remove or amend business-license provisions they said block people with prior convictions from starting businesses; councilmembers agreed to continue reviewing the ordinance.
A steady stream of residents, legal advocates and community organizations told Sumter County Council on Jan. 23 that the county’s business-license ordinance can create an unnecessary barrier for people with past convictions who want to start businesses.
Councilman Carlton B. Washington opened the discussion and said he believes the ordinance is regressive and discriminatory, and he asked that specific sections be removed. Washington told council he presented petitions with about 600 signers asking for changes. Councilwoman Vivian Fleming McGhaney and Councilman Eugene R. Baten voiced support for reconsidering problem language, while Chairman James T. McCain said the ordinance’s intent was public protection but acknowledged that unintended consequences may penalize applicants.
During the public-comment period, speakers included Dr. Elayne Brunson (Black Chamber of Commerce), Elizabeth R. Kilgore (chair, Sumter Branch NAACP), Derick Gamble (executive director, Clean Slate Re-entry Program), Quan Glover (farm-market operator), Corey Robinson (small-business owner) and others. Commenters described efforts at reentry, jobs and entrepreneurship and said the ordinance’s application procedure—where applicants answer whether they have a conviction on a preliminary clearance form—can stop people from moving forward. Several speakers asked council to suspend or remove language that could bar applicants solely on past convictions, and noted recent state action that narrows occupational licensing barriers.
Attorney Andrea Loney asked council staff to provide factual information to the public about how many applicants fill out the clearance form, how many are denied at that step, and what follow-up information or support is provided (pardon/expungement referrals or other assistance). Ms. Loney said that data on the initial screening step is essential for informed reform.
Council did not vote on ordinance changes at the Jan. 23 meeting; members said they would continue studying the issue and receive additional information. Several council members emphasized a desire to protect public safety while also avoiding barriers to lawful work and entrepreneurship for people who have served sentences and returned to the community.
The council’s Fiscal, Tax and Property Committee had met earlier and discussed the ordinance and the audit; no committee actions were taken at that time. The public will likely have additional opportunities to comment as council refines options and considers specific amendments.
