Local Sales Tax Changes Coming In Three Counties

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Beaufort County’s Green Space Sales Tax will expire effective March 1, 2025, while Chesterfield and Jasper counties will implement new local taxes on the same date, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue. 

Beaufort County’s County Green Space Tax is expiring 

Revenue officials said retailers should no longer collect Beaufort County’s Green Space Tax beginning Saturday, March 1.

The county’s sales tax rate will be reduced from 7 percent to 6 percent.

The tax funded the county’s Green Space program, designed to preserve open spaces, protect natural resources, and provide land for recreation.

It was limited to two years or until the tax generated $100 million.

Chesterfield and Jasper counties implement new local taxes

Also effective March 1, the School District Sales Tax will expire in both Jasper and Chesterfield counties, and both will implement an Education Capital Improvement Sales Tax.

The sales tax rate will remain 8 percent in both counties, each of which imposes a 1 percent Local Option Tax in addition to the 1 percent Education Capital Improvement Tax and the 6 percent state sales tax.

Revenue officials said retailers in both Chesterfield and Jasper counties should continue to enter their net taxable sales in the same column of the Schedule for Local Taxes. 

South Carolina’s statewide Sales and Use Tax rate is 6 percent.

Counties may impose an additional 1 percent local sales tax if voters in that county approve through a referendum. 

Contractors Have Optimistic Business Outlook

Nationally, construction contractors are optimistic about certain private-sector segments and have high hopes for most types of public-sector work, according to survey results from the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage.

Yet, they have very low expectations for several private-sector market segments, remain concerned about labor shortages and are worried materials prices will climb amid threats of new tariffs, according to A Year in the Balance: The 2025 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook.

Locally in the Carolinas, Carolinas AGC (CAGC) President and CEO Dave Simpson is optimistic.

"While we have concerns about the workforce shortage and drawing good talented people into excellent careers in construction, look for good times ahead for the next few years for the commercial construction industry in the Carolinas," said Simpson.

To help counter the workforce shortage, CAGC is working through its Construction Bootcamps and Construction Business Academies to attract new workers into the industry and address the top concerns of our members

Among contractors' top concerns nationally for 2025, the three most frequently listed are all workforce related.

Sixty-two percent picked rising direct labor costs as one of their top three concerns, while 59 percent listed the insufficient supply of workers or subcontractors, and 56 percent name worker quality.

The only other concern cited by a majority – 54 percent – of respondents is materials costs. Given the supply chain improvements, this concern is likely related to President Trump's threats to impose a broad range of new tariffs.

AGC officials are urging the new administration to work with Congress to establish new programs for temporary work visas that are dedicated to the construction industry.

They are also urging President Trump and Congress to pass the Stronger Workforce for America Act, which boosts funding for post-secondary construction training programs and to boost funding for high-school construction training programs.           

Merle Johnson Returns to Lead Charleston County Economic Development

Charleston County officials announced the return of Merle Johnson as the new economic development executive director, effective Feb. 7, 2025.

Johnson, an economic development professional with 20 years of experience, served in multiple leadership roles with Charleston County Economic Development for over seven years.

Johnson returns to Charleston County after serving as the executive director of the Orangeburg County Development Commission for the past two years.

During his tenure, he led efforts that resulted in over $1.1 billion in new investment and more than 600 new jobs in Orangeburg County.

Officials said his expertise in business recruitment, process improvement, and strategic site development played a key role in expanding the county-owned mega site and developing infrastructure growth plans to support industrial and residential development.

Prior to his leadership in Orangeburg, Johnson was the director of Economic and Community Development for the city of Greenville, South Carolina, where his leadership resulted in more than $356 million in new capital investment and 1,300+ new jobs.

He facilitated major corporate relocations, including Kiyatec’s bio-tech headquarters, Southern First Bank, and United Community's bank headquarters, helping to drive Greenville’s economic growth and business expansion.

With Charleston County Economic Development, he held key positions including deputy director, director of operations, and director of business development.

He also played a significant role in regional economic development efforts through his work with the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, supporting business growth across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.

Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

He graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, a three-session advanced leadership program accredited by the International Economic Development Council, and a Master Practitioner of the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program.

Bank of America Names Ellie Perry Market Executive for Upstate SC

Bank of America said Ellie Perry has been named Market Executive for Upstate South Carolina.

In this role, Perry is responsible for helping lead the bank’s local efforts across the Upstate to connect businesses, families and individuals to banking and investment resources.

Working closely with Stacy Brandon, president, Bank of America Upstate South Carolina, Perry will also oversee community partnerships, sponsorships, and philanthropy.

Perry joined Bank of America in 2007 in Augusta, Georgia. Prior to her role as market executive, she was a community relations manager for the company in Atlanta, Georgia.

She recently relocated to Greenville.

Perry’s career extends more than 30 years in the financial services industry with leadership roles in corporate communications, retail banking, small business lending, and treasury management services.

Perry holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Northeastern University. 

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