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.

Former SCRA Chairman: Turnover No Surprise

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

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.

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.

Bill Would Put More Teeth, Transparency in Incentives Deals

A state House member has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session aimed at bringing more accountability and transparency to the process of granting taxpayer-funded incentives to companies.

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.

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.

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.

Boeing: A Public Body, Lawsuit Contends

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.

$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.

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.

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.”

Haley Staffers, Senator, Commerce Flack Attend Air Show

A large South Carolina delegation to the Paris Air Show in June included two mid-level employees in Gov. Nikki Haley’s office, the then-spokeswoman for the S.C. Department of Commerce and state Sen. Hugh Leatherman, according to documents obtained from Haley’s office.

SCRA Said To Be ‘Cleansing’ its Wikipedia Page

Wikipedia, the free web-based collaborative encyclopedia project that encourages public input on articles, identified the S.C. Research Authority as the location of an Internet protocol address that had earlier this week repeatedly deleted information unfavorable to the state agency.

SCRA Paid Nearly $4 Million in Bonuses during 2008-10

The South Carolina Research Authority paid out more than $1.44 million in bonuses to 50 individuals for the 12-month period ending Oct. 23, 2010, the most current data available.

SCRA Intransigence Highlights State's FOIA Flaws

More than half a year after The Nerve submitted an S.C. Freedom of Information Act request to the state agency charged with developing South Carolina’s “knowledge-based economy,” officials with the S.C. Research Authority say they’re ready to comply.

State Officials Mum on Costs Involved with Paris Air Show

State officials have been silent on the total costs of the Paris Air Show.

Legislators Show Lack of SCRA Knowledge

If South Carolinians were asked in a poll to explain what the S.C. Research Authority is, the vast majority of them probably would be unable to do so.

Paper Trail Scarce Regarding SCRA Chair Selection

While the S.C. Research Authority may cloak itself in an air of mystery, there’s little doubt that state leaders have attached significant importance to the agency’s role in developing the state’s “knowledge economy.”

SCRA Extends Tentacles into High Finance

SCRA is moving into high finance.

S.C. Research Authority's FOIA Fail

SCRA has gone more than 140 days without fulfilling an S.C. Freedom of Information Act request.

SCRA Chair Sets Departure Date, Slams Agency

SCRA chairman slams agency in resignation letter.

Masters Sounds Concerns on SCRA in E-Mail

Outgoing S.C. Research Authority Chairman Bill Masters continues to sound a steady drumbeat of concern regarding the state-created agency.

Monday, he sent out an e-mail questioning the direction of the agency, touching on a number of different issues, including the veracity of data provided by SCRA top management to board trustees, high management salaries, SCRA’s accounting practices and whether it funds jobs that go to other states.

SCRA Now Hiring – But Mostly Out of State

Call it mission creep or a basic misunderstanding of the mission, but the S.C. Research Authority – created nearly 30 years ago in part to boost employment in South Carolina – would appear at present to be doing more good for the Missouri Ozarks than the Palmetto State.

Chair Blasts SCRA in Resignation Letter, Report

S.C. Research Authority Chairman Bill Masters’ resignation letter to Gov. Nikki Haley, submitted earlier this month, contains an accompanying report that paints a damning picture of the agency charged with leading South Carolina’s knowledge-based economy.

According to the eight-page report sent to Haley and obtained by The Nerve, Masters states that "SCRA has evolved over the past five years from a scientific research organization into a political organization using its core competency of data and information manipulation to market itself and benefit top management and its allies."

SCRA Executives Took Home $50k-$90k in Bonuses

As South Carolina’s budget woes have worsened over the past couple of years, many state agencies have cut back, leaving unfilled positions vacant, curtailing raises and, in some cases, laying off employees.

Masters Calls for Investigation of SCRA Chief

SCRA chairman calls for independent investigation of agency.

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.

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.

New Boeing Jobs: Hype and Hope

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

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.