The S.C. Senate did not vote on a bill today that would have paved the way for the Carolina Panthers to move their headquarters to Rock Hill, casting further doubt on a deal that once seemed to be a sure thing. The Senate was expected to vote on the bill opening the door to an incentive package today, but it was moved by Sen. Hugh Leatherman this morning. Instead debate will continue and a vote will be held tomorrow, the last day of the legislative session. 

Plans for the $115 million dollar incentives package was originally introduced by Gov. Henry McMaster and State House leaders in an surprise press conference on March 13. While the bill seemed destined to sail throw both the House and the Senate, former S.C. Democratic Party Chairman and current state Sen. Dick Harpootlian brought the easy drive to a halt. 

The proposed site would include "a multi-use facility that would include an orthopedic sports medicine facility employing about 200 people and a hotel with at least 150 rooms and space for conferences," according to the Charlotte Observer.

The new Panthers' facility would be located immediately off of I-77 and would be near Rock Hill's retail and destination center on the outskirts of town in an area that includes a mall, several small strip malls, two movie theaters, numerous restaurants, and hotels. 

In a tweet posted by the S.C. House GOP Caucus, an image supporting the the bill notes that the Panthers site will have an economic impact of $3.8 billion on South Carolina over a 15-year period, creating 5,700 jobs. The move would require $300 million in investments from the Panthers and $107 million from the Palmetto State. 

The Observer also reports that team owner David Tepper will keep the Panthers' HQ in Charlotte if the vote fails. Regardless, the team will continue to play on Sundays at Bank of America Stadium in the heart of the Queen City.
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We are pleased to announce the arrival of the 2019 Top Workplaces issue. This year, our Large Company category features five winners, while our Small Company category features 25 winners, 10 more than in 2018. The Top 3 winners in each of the above categories are also spotlighted. Beyond that, we are pleased to announce our Special Awards winners, a wide-ranging catch-all covering such categories as Managers, Doers, Clued-in Management, and Work/Life Flexibility. To see who won, go here.

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Greenville County Council to consider motion that aims to kill County Square's $1B redevelopment (Greenville News)

SC mayors’ letter supports Panthers practice site in Rock Hill (Herald)

Committee stops short of vote for funding I-526 completion (Live 5 News)

Power bills have dropped since Dominion took over SCE&G. But protesters say beware. (The State)

Mount Pleasant Chick-fil-A becomes first around Charleston to offer delivery after remodel (Post and Courier)

FAA Seeks More Input On Proposed Boeing 737 MAX Training (Aviation Week)

Tipsy Taco's first franchise will open at Clemson's Hartwell Village in August (Greenville News)

With prospective buyers looming, Charleston Co. delays demolition of old naval hospital (Live 5 News)

Sales tripled over past decade at fast-food company focused on chicken; new markets could test expansion (WSJ)

Tariff War Renewed? How the U.S.-China Talks Could Play Out(Bloomberg)

Study Uncovers How Coca-Cola Influences Science Research (Discover Magazine)

The Boston Bakery You're About to See Everywhere Is Pure Magic (Food & Wine)

Drug prices as much as 4 times higher in U.S. than other countries, study finds (Fierce Healthcare)

When it comes to power in the workplace, 30 is the new 50 (Fast Company)

Local newspapers are failing to make the digital transition larger players did — and are in danger of vanishing (WSJ)

US Military Testing Whether Human Pilots Can Trust Robot Wingmen in a Dogfight (Defense One)

No, Australian soldiers aren’t banned from using slang around US Marines (Stars & Stripes)

The Wire
BlueCross And BlueChoice Receive Customer Service Awards

Greenville Tech Foundation Receives Healthy Greenville, Too Micro-Grant

Husband-Wife Duo Purchase Bullet Deliveries

Tolson To Lead Gannett Fleming’s Expansion Into South Carolina

Jackson Lewis And Its Greenville Attorneys Recognized In Chambers USA 2019

Project HOPE Foundation Announces Location Of New Campus In Landrum

Discount Tire Opens First Store In Sumter