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.

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?

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.

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.

S.C. High Court to Hear Disability Case Affected by State Budget Cuts

The S.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a case involving a disabled Lancaster woman who contends in court papers that the state broke the law when it reduced her in-home care services because of budget cuts.

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.

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.

Sales-Tax Exemption Bill: Real Reform?

The latest S.C. House proposal to eliminate many state sales tax exemptions is a watered-down version of another House bill that has been stuck in committee, a review by The Nerve has found.

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.

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.

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.

State Loses Money on Film Incentives, Study Says

A new study confirms an old conclusion about state incentives for the film and TV industry: The subsidies are a bad deal for South Carolina taxpayers.

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.

Pearson: No Quid Pro Quo with Georgia

Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, asks Gov. Nikki Haley's chief of staff Tim Pearson if there was a quid pro quo arrangement between South Carolina and Georgia regarding the Savannah and Jasper ports.

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.

Legislators Exempt Themselves from Sunshine Law They Created

The state's open-records law for more than 30 years has shielded the S.C. General Assembly from releasing documents showing what it does behind the scenes.

State, Local Subsidies Benefit Wal-Mart in South Carolina

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.

$270M Taxpayer-Funded Gift to Boeing Properly Spent, Commerce Chief Says

Aerospace giant Boeing properly spent $270 million in S.C. taxpayer-backed bond proceeds given to the Chicago-based company for its North Charleston assembly plant, state Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said in a letter obtained Thursday by The Nerve.

The Boeing Incentives Deal: More Secrecy, Lack of Accountability

The Boeing Co. isn't required by the state to verify that the $270 million in taxpayer-backed bonds it received for its North Charleston plant was properly spent.

Incentives Transparency Bill Looks Promising Next Session

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.

Extended Stay’s Not-So-Extended Stay in S.C.

A hotel chain headquartered in the Upstate moved its headquarters out of state, despite receiving millions in state incentives.

Still No Sign of $460M Incentive-Backed AQT Solar

More than eight months after a small, young California company announced it would locate a $460 million solar-cell manufacturing plant in Richland County, creating a purported 1,000 jobs over four years, the massive building it’s supposed to go in remains empty.

Senator Rethinks ‘Angel’ Incentives Bill; Midlands Group in Works

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.”

The $29M ‘Invisible’ State Agency

On paper, the recently created S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority will have at least $28.8 million in available revenues this fiscal year, though nothing has been spent yet, a state Budget and Control Board spokeswoman told The Nerve last week.

Governor’s Job Numbers: Lots of Hype, Unanswered Questions

Job-Creation Study Casts Doubt on Necessity of Incentives

Tourism Plan Calls for More State Money, Personnel

Senators Davis and Leatherman debate incentives

On April 20, 2011, Senator Tom Davis introduced legislation requiring taxpayer-funded economic incentives to be disclosed to the public. Senator Hugh Leatherman described what he thought would be the consequences of such a law.

Business Mags Get State Ad Money, Rank State High

Revenue Agency Changes Mind, Grants Tax Breaks

QVC Deal: Job-Creation Targets Less than Announced

Darlington Raceway Gets $114,000 State Tax Break

Politician Justifies Secret Nature of Eco Devo Deals

Commerce: Amazon Exemption Won’t Cost State Tax Revenue

The state sales tax exemption granted to Internet retail giant Amazon will not result in any loss of tax revenue to South Carolina, if you ask the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Moore: Why S.C. Needed to Offer Incentives to Amazon

'Angel' Incentives Halfway Through Legislature

Economic development incentives – think Amazon.com in the Midlands – and transparency related to such tax breaks – or lack thereof – were major issues in this year’s legislative session.

But amid much attention on those matters, a pricey proposed subsidy for a high-risk, high-dollar type of speculative investing made it halfway through the General Assembly with little notice.

S.C. Film Incentives: 'B' Movie for Sure

The summertime movie season is upon us once again. During this time, if you decide to head off to a theater to bask in leisurely, overpriced entertainment for a couple of hours (at least it’s out of the heat), here’s something to consider.

Taxpayer Price Tag for Amazon Climbs to $61 Million

Lexington OKs Incentives for Interstate Container

'Army Wives' Incentives Rerun in the Works

Amazon Tax Break Heading to S.C. Supreme Court?

Upstate HQs May Be Exempt from Corporate Income Tax

Cobb-Hunter explains Amazon vote

Bill Seeks Disclosure of Amazon-Like “Promises”

Bosch Project Brings $12M-Plus Taxpayer Tab

Lawmakers Mulling Rural Development Proposals

State’s Top Court Accepts Sales Tax Exemption Case

$42M Taxpayer Incentive Tab for ZF Group

Top Project Carries Hefty Taxpayer Tab

The Amazon.com Saga: Heading to Court?

Incentive-Laden AQT Solar Project Moving Slowly

In its 2010 year-end report, the S.C. Department of Commerce ranked the proposed AQT Solar plant in Richland County as the second-highest announced capital investment in the state last year, and the third-highest announced job-creation project.

Political Turbulence Over Aviation Center?

New Incentives Offered for Corporate HQs

$40 Million Taxpayer Gift to Amazon.com

Nonprofit Group Seeks State Health Benefits

Expensive Taxpayer Gift Offered to Boeing

Legislators Warm to Solar Tax Incentives

Bill Proposes Transparency in Incentives

Newberry OKs Sale of County-Owned Home

Newberry Slows Sale of County Retirement Home

Ten Percent of S.C. Farms Get 87 Percent of Subsidies

Nonprofits Cheer Defeat of Economic Incentives Bill

Lawmakers Back Breaks for Insurance Group

Miley Study Touts Boeing Incentives

Would Sanford Veto Local Retail Subsidies?

Firms’ Decisions Show Incentives Not Necessary

SCRA: Key Player in Proposed State Agency

House Panel Undercuts Input on Sembler Bill

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.

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.

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

How Opposition Fought Subsidies for Sembler

Sembler Giveaway: School Money to be Siphoned

Davis: Sembler Attorneys Tried to Hire Me

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

Incentives Finalized in Boeing Sweetheart Deal

Taxpayers Pony Up for State Museum

Sembler Incentives Focus of Council Meeting

SCPC, Sembler Officials to Speak in Beaufort

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

Maybank: Man with an Incentives Plan

Sembler Tax Break Slows; Maybank Focus Grows

Anatomy of an Incentives Deal

Boeing Numbers Game: Studies Don't Match Up

Failed Companies: Money Down the Drain

Secrecy Shrouds Boeing and Other Deals

No. That’s often the favorite word of state and local government officials when asked to reveal details of taxpayer-funded incentives given to businesses.

New Boeing Jobs: Hype and Hope

Boeing workers share their views on one of the biggest-announced industrial projects in state history.

The Okatie-Boeing Connection

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.

Okatie Developer No Stranger to Controversy

Many South Carolinians may not recognize the name of the man associated with the controversial Okatie Crossings development project, but don’t underestimate his influence – or ability to generate controversy.

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.

Part 1: Inside the Boeing Deal

An incentives package for the Boeing plant in North Charleston was done largely behind closed doors and will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.