American British Business 2006/7

ABB 2006/7 | State Profiles | South East region | South Carolina

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South Carolina

South Carolina is one of the best places in the world to do business. Here’s why:

A business-friendly approach toward taxation and regulation. We reward investment and growth with comprehensive incentives, including tax credits for creating new jobs or establishing corporate headquarters.
An unbeatable workforce. Our workforce training programme is consistently cited as one of the best in the US.
A strategic location that’s within a day’s drive of 44% of the US population. Our central position on the east coast also guarantees easy access for domestic and international business travel.
Our excellent transportation infrastructure. South Carolina boasts five major interstates, easy access to two international airports, and the Port of Charleston, the east coast’s second busiest port.
An unparalleled quality of life. Here you’ll find a blend of diverse leisure options, a pleasant climate, a low cost of living, and Southern culture that makes it easy to recruit and retain key personnel.

Our fresh approach to economic growth includes an intense focus on building industry clusters. As a result, in South Carolina, your company will find a ready, specialised workforce and an environment in which innovations can be integrated into business processes more quickly to better meet changing market demands. Automotives, tourism, forestry/ agribusiness, chemical, hydrogen and biotech are a few of the clusters in which we expect enormous growth in our state over the coming decade.

Some of the world’s biggest companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, Westinghouse, BMW and Honda, are taking advantage of the outstanding workforce, superior quality of life and unparalleled access to government that our state offers.

Global business development

South Carolina has the second highest percentage of citizens working for internationally-owned companies. During the 1990s, it saw more than $16bn in investment and creation of more than 49,000 new jobs by international companies.

Tax incentives

No state property tax
No inventory tax
No sales tax on manufacturing machinery, industrial power or materials for finished products
No wholesale tax

Education

Our technical education system has been a model for the nation since 1961, and produces more than 9,000 graduates annually. The International Masters of Business programme at the University of South Carolina consistently ranks among the top two in the country.

Transportation infrastructure

South Carolina is crisscrossed by five interstate highways that provide excellent east-west and northsouth access. Combined with 64,000 miles of state highways, excellent access is available to the state’s ports and to business markets in all directions.

You'll love living in South Carolina

Over 200 miles of wide sugar-white beaches, nine rivers, three enormous lakes and 45 state parks offer extensive cultural opportunities.

For more information, contact:
Jack Ellenberg,
Director of Global Business Development
1201 Main Street, Suite 1600
Columbia, SC 29201
Tel: +1 803 737-0400
E-mail: info@sccommerce.com
Website: www.sccommerce.com

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