Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to modified Gram positive bacterial cells producing increased amounts of one or more protein(s) of interest and modified Gram positive bacterial cells having increased genetic competency. Thus, certain embodiments of the disclosure are directed to modified Gram positive bacterial cells expressing an increased amount of a protein of interest, relative to an unmodified (parental) Gram positive bacterial cell expressing the same protein of interest, wherein the modified bacterial cell comprises at least one mutation in a rpoC gene encoding a variant RNA-polymerase (RNAP) ??-subunit polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the rpoC gene encoding the variant ??-subunit polypeptide is integrated into the chromosome of the modified cell. In other embodiments, the rpoC gene encoding the variant ??-subunit polypeptide is comprised on an extrachromosomal plasmid introduced into the modified cell.