The Nerve

By RICK BRUNDRETT Some nonprofit organizations in South Carolina that already receive significant public funding have been awarded forgivable federal loans of at least $150,000 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, records show. The intent of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is to help small businesses pay […]

By RICK BRUNDRETT In recent years, state lawmakers annually have earmarked a total of nearly $5 million to eight regional economic development organizations, presumably to help attract new companies to South Carolina. But whether taxpayers are getting significant, verifiable returns on their investment is questionable, The Nerve found in a review of required annual reports […]

By RICK BRUNDRETT S.C. lawmakers are funneling millions in tax dollars collectively to economic development and tourism organizations in the state – with the requirement that the groups secure private matches for grants. These types of “public-private partnerships” have been common in recent years in South Carolina, purportedly to ensure that taxpayers don’t pay most […]