Shopping Center Could Bring Thousands of Jobs to Lowcountry

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. -- Plans to bring a multi-million dollar shopping complex to Jasper County cleared a hurdle this week. A South Carolina Senate committee has approved a plan granting the developer an economic incentive package to build in the Lowcountry.

The Sembler Company is planning to build a 1.7 million square foot shopping center near Sun City and Bluffton. Okatie Crossings will be built on almost 300 acres at the intersection of Highway 170 and Highway 278. The company hopes to break ground on the $400 million project this spring.

The company is seeking some tax rebates from the state to offset costs.

On Tuesday, the South Carolina Senate Finance Committee approved a plan to let Sembler keep part of the state sales tax it collects at Okatie Crossings, but only if Sembler invests $200 million in the area, creates 1,250 jobs, and keeps at least 625 jobs a year.

Otherwise, the company must repay the money. The tax rebates would be limited to 15 years.

Hardeeville City Manager Ted Felder was one of 160 people from the area who made the trip to Columbia for the committee vote. He said the development will be a huge economic boost for Jasper and surrounding counties.

"If this company doesn't put the facility here in Jasper County, there's nothing to prevent them from going just a few miles right across the border and putting it in Savannah, and then South Carolina has lost this unique once in a lifetime opportunity to really put people back to work," said Felder.

Felder added that taxpayers will not be footing the bill for the incentive.

"That's an important fact in this. This is not existing revenue. This is a rebate from new revenues that are created directly as a result of the project," he said.

Felder also said the development will create 800 construction jobs. He also said a study by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism found that the development could create 2,500 spin-off jobs.

Opponents point out existing retailers competing with the new development are not getting state help.

According to The Island Packet, state Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) argued Tuesday the incentive proposal could be unconstitutional. Davis cited a non-binding opinion issued by Attorney General Henry McMaster in 2009

The proposal still needs approval from the full South Carolina Senate.

Jeff Fuqua, President of The Sembler Company, issued the following statement:
“The overwhelming vote of support in the Senate Finance Committee indicates that legislators are committed to our $400 million project that will create 2,000 jobs and become a major tourist attraction.

News reports estimated between 160-400 area residents travelled to Columbia to attend the committee hearing and show support for Okatie Crossings. That is indicative of the broad support we are getting from the grassroots.

Unlike most economic development projects, we are not asking the taxpayers to risk one penny. We would receive only a portion of sales tax revenue that our project generates for infrastructure improvements.

The State of South Carolina and local governments in the region would immediately realize new revenue in fees and taxes once the shopping mall opens.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read more about this story from The Island Packet: http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/story/1125041.html