State leaders offer up a sweet deal to land a major development. A state senate committee agreed on an incentives package that could add thousands of jobs to the struggling workforce. Lawmakers would not come out and say it, but all signs point to Boeing and the race for a new assembly line. It's down to two, North Charleston or Everett Washington.. The winner lands a second 787 assembly line, along with thousands of jobs, and millions of dollars into the economy. On Tuesday, the state senate … [Read more...]

The Senate Finance Committee this morning unanimously passed a financial incentives package to lure an unnamed industry to the state with at least 3,800 full-time jobs and capital investment of at least $750 million. The package would allow the issuance of $170 million of economic development bonds as well as grant a number of sales tax exemptions for manufacturers that provide at least 3,800 jobs and a capital investment of $750 million. One of the sales tax exemptions is aimed at aircraft … [Read more...]

Lawmakers return to the Statehouse Tuesday for a special session to consider a law change that will qualify jobless workers for an extended 20 weeks of federal unemployment benefits. Approximately 7,000 South Carolinians lost their benefits earlier this month when state benefits ended. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell says, “We’re going back to deal with the Employment Security Commission failure to inform us they need to tweak the formula in order to get the federal stimulus money. … [Read more...]

In a decision with a major impact on the local economy, the shipping line, Maersk, announced on Thursday that it’s cut a deal with the South Carolina State Ports Authority to stay in Charleston beyond its current contract, which ends in 2010. Here’s the statement from Maersk: “Maersk Line announced today that it has reached an agreement with the South Carolina State Ports Authority to maintain services in the Port of Charleston beyond the conclusion of the current 2010 contract. This … [Read more...]

Following months of often tense negotiations, the State Ports Authority and the world's largest container carrier announced an agreement Thursday evening to reverse the decision to sever ties at the end of next year. New SPA chief executive Jim Newsome delivered the news at his first State of the Port address, an annual Propeller Club of Charleston event and Newsome's formal introduction to the maritime community. A record 550 people came out for the $95-a-plate dinner held at the SPA's cruise … [Read more...]

Failure to alert anyone of problem highlights need for ESC Reform Today, Lawmakers announced that the General Assembly would convene in session under the Sine Die Resolution to correct an oversight made by the Employment Security Commission so that South Carolinians will not lose federal unemployment benefits. The General Assembly will convene October 27th at noon to pass the necessary legislation that will allow our state’s jobless access to this Federal unemployment benefit. Lawmakers are … [Read more...]

The rubber is about to hit the road in Berkeley County. Tire importer TBC Corp. announced today that it has picked a site near Summerville for a mammoth, 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center that will become one of the largest customers for the Port of Charleston. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year, with completion set for late 2010. The warehouse will handle imported and domestic tires and prepare them for delivery to dealers throughout the Southeast. … [Read more...]