Enterprise Zone Program Qualifying companies locating in South Carolina may invest a portion of new employees' state personal withholding taxes in their projects for a period of up to 15 years under the state's Enterprise Zone Act. Employees' pay rates and the county chosen for a company's Job Tax Credit designation influence the amount of state personal withholding taxes the company may retain. Use of these funds is limited to the acquisition and improvement of real property, public or private infrastructure or training and must be authorized in an agreement negotiated with, and signed by, the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development. To qualify, companies must: Remit a $4,000 application fee with a formal application to the Council. Reach the minimum level of job creation determined in Council negotiations. Be a manufacturing, distribution, warehousing or a corporate office facility. Provide some benefits to employees, including health care benefits. Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, Tax Incentives for Economic Development, 2006 Edition.

CATT (Center for Accelerated Technology Training) Companies locating in South Carolina may have the State of South Carolina use its extensive statewide network of technical colleges to recruit, screen, test, and train workers to specification at little or no cost to the company. The program, known nationally as South Carolina's Special Schools, is operated entirely with state funds and imposes no hiring requirements on companies which use it. Companies located in South Carolina may use up to $500 per year from and existing employee's state personal withholding taxes to retrain him or her through the state's technical college system. The state's contribution must be matched on a dollar for dollar basis by the company which is also responsible for any excess costs. SOURCE: South Carolina Department of Commerce, Tax Incentives for Economic Development, 2006 Edition.

Port Tax Credit Through the International Trade Incentive Program (ITIP), companies in the state that are involved in manufacturing, warehousing or distribution may apply for state income tax credits from an available pool of $8 million (annual budget for 2007). Companies that increase their annual port cargo volume by at least 5% from year to year and meet base cargo volume requirements are eligible to apply. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development will allocated the tax credits. 19 companies in Horry County are currently utilizing this credit. SOURCE: South Carolina Department of Commerce, Tax Incentives for Economic Development, 2006 Edition.