S.C. Legislators Say 'No Agenda' on Trip to Turkey

Although South Carolina has a relatively small Turkish population and no major trade with Turkey,  eight S.C. senators apparently thought  it was important enough to go on a 10-day, all-expenses-paid trip to the Middle Eastern country last year.

Boeing Thanks S.C. Congressmen for Supporting Company’s Biggest Subsidizer

The Boeing Co. is feeling the love for South Carolina’s congressional delegation – most of the delegation members anyway.

‘Angel’ Incentives Would Duplicate 3 State Programs

A bill that has moved another step closer to passing would have the state subsidize early-stage venture capital investing on top of three existing programs that do more or less the same thing.

Why the Michelin Man is Smiling in S.C.

The state and counties of Lexington and Anderson are doling out millions to Michelin North America for an $750 million expansion project that officials say will bring 500 jobs.

Data Center Incentives Bill Moves Forward

An S.C. House bill that originally provided additional taxpayer-backed incentives to national corporate headquarters locating in South Carolina has been retooled to extend certain tax breaks to attract large data centers, such as those operated by Google and Facebook.

Expanded Incentives Bill Bogs Down Over Service Providers

An amended S.C. House bill would extend a taxpayer-backed incentive to companies that use professional employer organizations.

USC Seeks Another $13.3 Million for Innovista

Plans by the University of South Carolina to move forward on a $26.8 million “upfit” for a building in USC’s star-crossed Innovista research campus have been delayed.

Panel Strips Economic Development from Firefighting Bill

As first written, the bill would have directed 7 percent of the revenue from state taxes on insurance premiums to the Forestry Commission for firefighting and “forestry industry economic enhancement.”

Bill Would Add Forester to State Economic Development Board

The S.C. Forestry Commission is supporting a bill to put its director on an obscure state board with vast control over South Carolina’s economy. The board is named the S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development.

Senator Proposes Putting Himself on SCRA Board

One of the state’s most powerful lawmakers has authored a bill that would put himself on the board of trustees and executive committee of a little-understood, state-controlled technology and real estate company.

Capital Reserve Fund or Legislative Slush Fund?

S.C. Sen. Shane Massey has proposed a resolution  that would limit spending from the state's capital reserve fund.

The Difference Between Incentives and Private Investment – Disclosure

Imagine being an investment broker without the information necessary to keep clients apprised of how their assets are performing: no price-to-earnings data, no quarterly profit statements, no tax liability numbers. Doesn’t sound like a very promising career path as a financial adviser, does it?

Hilton Head Citizen Reporter: Casino Proposal Gets Cool Reception from Some in Lowcountry

Citizen Reporter Tom Hatfield says a number of Hilton Head Island residents aren't crazy about the idea of a casino in nearby Jasper County.

Boeing Greased Its Landing in South Carolina

Even before Boeing announced plans to build in South Carolina, the aerospace company showed it knew how to play the political game.

Another Top SCRA Executive to Depart

The S.C. Research Authority, beset by loss of top executives over the past two years, is losing Rick Self, president of SCRA Applied R&D, one of its most important divisions.

SCRA Spins Its Economic Impact

The S.C. Research Authority, a state-created and state-controlled technology and real estate company, left out the bad news in recently announcing its latest economic impact results.

Verifying Governor's Job Claims Remains Elusive

Gov. Nikki Haley continues to tout job announcements left and right, but it remains unclear how many of the positions are actually being created because no one in South Carolina state government wants to track whether companies follow through.

Economic Development in Higher Ed Funding Proposals

At face value it sounds like it might be a good idea to a lot of people, and an eminently fair proposal at that: Allocate public funding to state colleges and universities based on how well they do their jobs.

Columbia’s No Free Market Haven, Some Business Owners Say

Columbia city leaders spend too much time trying to pick winners and losers, rather than letting the market determine who's got the best product, some business owners say.

Tax Breaks for Wealthy ‘Angel’ Investors Set for Senate Hearing

New examples of investment capital available to startup South Carolina companies call into question an argument for state government to get more involved in the venture capital business.

Former SCRA Chairman: Turnover No Surprise

Former SCRA Chairman Bill Masters says problems at the agency are systemic.

House Committee Gives Nod to Fresh on the Campus Bill

Fresh on the Campus bill gets favorable committee report.

Ex-Im Bank: Boeing, the Legislature and Corporate Welfare

The S.C. General Assembly has thrown its support behind a federal agency that free market advocates decry as a corporate welfare shop for politically connected mega-corporations.

Vendor-Preference Bill: Boost to S.C. Businesses, or Bust for S.C. Taxpayers?

South Carolina companies would have an easier time getting state contracts of more than $500,000 under an S.C. House bill, though some critics contend that taxpayers could wind up paying more if the proposal becomes law.

Charleston Stubs Out Cigar Bar

Charleston cigar bar is out of options.

Solyndra in South Carolina?

A Senate Finance subcommittee enhanced the House version of a bill that would offer millions in tax credits to the solar industry.

Commerce Ads: Big Bang for Agency’s Budget?

South Carolina’s state-driven economic development efforts have received glowing reviews lately from some national trade publications. But is there something more to the accolades than just positive recognition?

Governor, House Part Ways on Tax Reform

A potential overhaul of the state tax code this year has fallen into a parting of ways between Gov. Nikki Haley and the S.C. House, with Palmetto State taxpayers stuck in the middle as the potential losers.

Legislation Looks to Take “Palmettovore” Program to Schools

Legislation would let school districts join program that puts S.C. produce and goods in schools.

Obscure New Agency Would Grow Under Restructuring Bill

A little-known state economic development agency created two years ago but not yet in operation would grow even more under the S.C. Senate’s version of a bill creating a Department of Administration.

Research University Presidents Silent on Board of Regents for S.C.

No, the college CEO triumvirate passed on that one and instead left it to … state Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt to address it?

Resolution Would Allow Private Funds to Go Toward Civil War Trails

Resolution seeks to allow nonprofit to mark South Carolina Civil War sites.

Agriculture, Governor: Grow Agency’s Advertising Spending

Half of state Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weather's requested funding increase, $1.5 million, is for annually recurring money to advertise South Carolina agricultural products.

Guv’s Office, Commerce Can’t Produce Job-Creation Records

Despite glowing job announcements over the past year, neither Gov. Nikki Haley nor the S.C. Department of Commerce can produce records showing the number of actual jobs created to date.

Lawmakers Seek to Regulate Yet Another Profession

Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, has filed a bill that would create a music therapy board, place the board under the oversight of the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and prohibit the practice of music therapy without a license.

Charleston Council Appears to Have Resolved I-526 Issue

Charleston County Council appears to have resolved I-526 issue.

Boeing Not a ‘Public Body,’ Federal Judge Rules

Despite receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-backed incentives from South Carolina, aerospace giant Boeing is not a public body under the state’s whistleblower law, a federal judge has ruled.

Japan Trips, Other Taxpayer-Funded Freebies Offered to Bridgestone

Bridgestone Americas has been offered at least $57 million in incentives over 10 years to add a new plant and expand its existing plant at its Aiken County site.

End of the Road for I-95 Corridor Authority?

A legislative showdown is brewing over an S.C. Senate bill that would create another state agency whose purported goal is to improve economic conditions in historically poor, rural counties along Interstate 95.

LLR Report Clarifies Position on Deregulating Auctioneering

The S.C. Auctioneers’ Commission isn’t in danger of being dismantled – as was recommended by one state agency not too long ago – but the time is ripe for deregulating the industry, according to a recent report.

Fate of I-526 Extension Project Remains Unsettled

Individuals who turned out for the Dec. 6 Charleston County Council meeting expecting some resolution of the I-526 extension issue went away disappointed.

Still No Resolution in Sight on I-526 Extension

Individuals who turned out for the Dec. 6 Charleston County Council meeting expecting some resolution of the I-526 extension issue went away disappointed.

Additional Details of SCRA Lending Revealed; Legality in Question

Some South Carolina banks have had a tough go over the past few years. Hit hard by the ongoing economic downturn, no fewer than seven state financial institutions have been closed by regulators since 2009, while several others have been placed under regulatory-enforcement actions of one sort or another.

Additional Details of SCRA Lending Revealed; Legality in Question

The S.C. Research Authority approved nearly $1 million in loans to five separate entities – including a consortium created by some of the biggest entities in the state and an alternative-fuel vehicle manufacturer eligible for tens of millions of dollars in state incentives – during fiscal year 2011 alone.

Columbia Officials: No Subsidies for Controversial Wal-Mart

Midlands residents, regardless of whether they know Wal-Mart has a history of cashing in on taxpayer subsidies, might be wondering if the company aims to do so as it looks to expand into downtown Columbia.

Charleston Council Approves Plan Related to Major Development

The Charleston County Council’s Dec. 6 meeting agenda included a request by the city of North Charleston for approval to proceed with a bond issue to be financed from the creation of Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).

Charleston Council Approves Plan Related to Major Development

The Charleston County Council’s Dec. 6 meeting agenda included a request by the city of North Charleston for approval to proceed with a bond issue to be financed from the creation of Tax Increment Financing District.

Making Sense of SC Launch Numbers No Easy Task

Questions still remain after the S.C. Research Authority responded to an S.C. Freedom of Information Act request for information on how its affiliate SC Launch spent approximately $18 million in state money over the past three years.

Making Sense of SC Launch Numbers No Easy Task

Questions still remain after the S.C. Research Authority responded to an S.C. Freedom of Information Act request for information on how its affiliate SC Launch spent approximately $18 million in state money over the past three years.

Senator Grills Haley Chief of Staff on DHEC Permit

Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, questions Gov. Nikki Haley's chief of staff Tim Pearson on whether the governor attempted to influence the DHEC board to grant a permit to allow the expansion of a Georgia port.

SC Launch Slow to Respond to Funding FOIA

It’s been nearly seven weeks since The Nerve sent SC Launch a state Freedom of Information Act request to ascertain how the S.C. Research Authority affiliate was disbursing $6 million in taxpayer-supported funds it receives annually.

Commerce Pay Incentives Nab Big Part Share of BCB's Attention

Proposed S.C. Electric Car Plant Short Circuits, Despite Handout Offers

A South Korean car manufacturer never came to South Carolina, despite being offered state and local incentives.

What Agriculture Means to South Carolina

Written by: Kelly Payne

                    Citizen Reporter

Tech Schools' Green Push Raises Questions

Charleston Doles Out Incentives to Two Manufacturers

The Charleston County Council Finance Committee on approved two recommendations by the Economic Development Department on Sept. 22 to support investments in manufacturing facilities in the county.

Release of Final Europe Trip Cost Takes Three Months

SC Launch Grant to MUSC Dean’s Company Raises Questions

There appears to be potential issues with NextRay’s funding from SC Launch. Not only is there a question as to whether NextRay fulfilled the residency requirement necessary to receive funding from SC Launch, but it’s not clear if NextRay was up front in its application about all of its “principals, founders and partners.”

Total Cost of Paris Air Show, Germany Trip Still Unknown

Bill Proposes Transparency in Incentives

Boeing Seeks Early Christmas Gift From S.C.

Masters Calls for Investigation of SCRA Chief

SCRA chairman calls for independent investigation of agency.

Newberry Officials Say Penny Tax Vital

SCRA Baits and Switches on Pay Hikes

SCRA Board OKs Pay Hike, Not Transparency

TRAC Lets Boeing Keep Tax Breaks

Lawmakers Back Breaks for Insurance Group

Miley Study Touts Boeing Incentives

Would Sanford Veto Local Retail Subsidies?

State Panel Approves $4.1 Million More for Innovista

Firms’ Decisions Show Incentives Not Necessary

Got A Problem? Create A State Agency

SCRA: Key Player in Proposed State Agency

House Panel Undercuts Input on Sembler Bill

SCRA Growth Spurt Continues Unabated

SCRA: Innovation Centers Unfunded Mandate

Boeing Bonds to Cost Taxpayers $362 Million

More Government Hands in S.C. Economy

A 15-member committee controlled by the Legislature would dole out taxpayer money to promote economic development in 17 counties in the Lowcountry and Pee Dee under a state Senate bill.

Income Tax Credits -- Like 'Crack' to Republicans

Is S.C. Poised to Enter New Incentives Waters?

Proterra Deal to Cost Tens of Millions to Taxpayers

South Carolina and Greenville County taxpayers won’t be getting any magic carpet rides with the construction of the Proterra electric- and hybrid-powered bus assembly plant in Greenville.

EngenuitySC Nets Nice Payout for 2009 Convention

Richland Co.: Yes to Tax Hikes, No Personnel Cuts

Hydrogen Still Sacred Despite Core Cuts

Golf Proviso: Lawmakers Mum on Details

Airline Subsidies: Unfriendly Skies for Taxpayers

Moore School Match Figures Raise Questions

Sembler Giveaway: School Money to be Siphoned

Davis: Sembler Attorneys Tried to Hire Me

Lawmakers Look to Push Bass Pro Bill Again

Sembler Opponents: South Carolina Not for Sale

Officials Continue Playing Hydrogen Shell Game

Commerce Eyes Control of Research Program

The initial version of the 50-page "Economic Development Competitiveness Act" bill, introduced in January by S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, gave the Commerce secretary control over one-third, or $10 million, of the annual $30 million in lottery money earmarked for the S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence, also known as the endowed professor chairs program.

Legislators Push For Retail Incentives

Boeing to Get Another Taxpayer-Funded Gift

Lawmakers’ Misdeeds Often Escape Scrutiny

Web Site Lets S.C. Keep Eye on Stimulus

Santee Cooper: Powering S.C. and Paying Well

Incentives Finalized in Boeing Sweetheart Deal

Job Development Credits: Taxpayer-Funded Payouts

Sembler Incentives Focus of Council Meeting

SCPC, Sembler Officials to Speak in Beaufort

10 Reasons to Hate New Carolina's Report

New Carolina: Lots of Talk, Few Results

BEA Chief: Sembler Likely to Shift, Not Boost, Sales

Ryberg Again Tries to Block Sembler Subsidies

Heritage Study Adds to Waste

Maybank: Man with an Incentives Plan

Sembler Tax Break Slows; Maybank Focus Grows

Top SCRA Execs See Salaries Spike

Boeing’s 'A' Team: Turned to Power Brokers

Boeing relied on some Palmetto State powerbrokers to negotiate for a state incentives package valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.

Panel Approves Another $100 Million for Boeing

A legislative panel this morning gave another $100 million taxpayer-funded gift to the Boeing Co., bringing the total state bond package for a new assembly plant in North Charleston to at least $270 million.

Part 3: The Truth on Senate Claims About Boeing

Many of the claims by Senate leaders about the Boeing incentives deal were misleading.

Boeing Bond Deal: A $400 Million Taxpayer Tab

For the next 15 years, South Carolina taxpayers will be paying back nearly $400 million in bonds, including interest, for the new Boeing assembly plant in North Charleston.

Part 2: The Boeing Deal: Big Bill To Taxpayers

What S.C. lawmakers didn’t reveal in October 2009 when they rushed through an economic incentives package for Boeing was that it will cost state taxpayers tens of millions of dollars – and possibly several hundred million – more than what was said in the official record.