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SCEDA 2026 Legislative Agenda Survey
We present to you the following issues for you to rank. Some are self-explanatory and others you will see an explanation included.
State Funding
1.
State Funding for Local Government Infrastructure
The State last year eliminated most earmarks, including local government infrastructure projects. Should SCEDA support the Legislature re-instituting this practice for infrastructure projects with local governments?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
2.
Airport Funding
Is funding for airports a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
3.
Industrial Site Readiness Funding
Is funding for Industrial Site Readiness from State money a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
4.
Infrastructure Funding
Is funding for infrastructure, such as water/sewer, roads/bridges, or the Rural Infrastructure Authority, from State funds a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
5.
Ship Building & Defense
Should SCEDA support policy that promotes ship building and the defense industry in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
6.
Jasper Port
Some say more emphasis should be placed on the Jasper Port. Should SCEDA set as part of the Legislative Agenda a priority to increase efforts to support the development of the Jasper Port?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
Tax Policy
7.
Data Centers
Some members of the SC Legislature desire to remove data center incentives, both at the State level and at the local level. Should SCEDA set part of its Legislative Agenda a priority to stop those efforts?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
8.
Angel Tax Incentives Extension
South Carolina provides for a tax credit to qualified angel investors of high impact small businesses. This credit is set to expire December 31, 2025. And, it is said that the credit needs some tweaking to make it more effective. Is extending and tweaking the Angel Tax Credit a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
9.
Franchise Fees
Currently, small and high impact businesses that are raising funds for its business are taxed on those funds raised. This is out of line with other states that do not charge taxes on a portion of that money raised. Is addressing eliminating franchise fees, at least partially, a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
10.
Childcare
The lack of childcare opportunities could be a barrier to the workforce, negatively impacting the parent and the employer. Is addressing childcare tax credits or other solutions a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
11.
Electric Vehicles
With more electric vehicles on the road, a discussion is ensuing to ensure a regulatory framework and an adequate level of road funding is achieved. Is addressing EV regulations and road funding a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
12.
Income Taxes
Income tax level is a crucial tool for economic development. Is decreasing the State’s income tax a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
13.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Innovation and entrepreneurship both have an impact on South Carolina. Some say it can be strengthened through policy and incentives, such as with JDCs and JTCs. Is increasing tools to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in South Carolina a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
14.
Manufacturing Property Taxes
Is addressing the manufacturing property tax cap a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
15.
Tax Reform
Should SCEDA address tax reform and make it a priority by including it in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
16.
Job Creation
Should SCEDA address job creation incentives and make that a priority by including it in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
17.
South Carolina Tier System
Should SCEDA address the Tier System with possible changes and make it a priority by including it in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
18.
Hourly Wage Levels & Flexibility for Incentives
High wage levels to receive certain state incentives (i.e. Job Development Credits) are based on average per capita income wage levels. Others states also allow certain incentives for target areas and/or certain target industries to be used either for state income tax or employee withholding rebates. Should SCEDA examine how others states determine wage level for incentives, flexible options for certain incentives, and support policy related to the same in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
Energy and Environmental Issues
19.
Permitting
Is addressing permitting processes and length of time to obtain a permit a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
20.
Water/Sewer Systems
Is addressing water/sewer system consolidation a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
21.
Water
Should SCEDA get more involved in the Governor’s SC Water Resources Working Group? Is that a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
General Business Issues
22.
Workforce/Affordable Housing
Is addressing workforce/affordable housing a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
23.
Small Business
Should SCEDA increase its support for small business and make that a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
24.
Hate Crimes
Is addressing hate crimes a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
25.
Healthcare
Recruiting companies and talent to rural areas can be a challenge without adequate healthcare professionals and services. Some officials say by expanding nurse practitioners’ scope of practice, or allowing them more abilities to provide healthcare to patients, better healthcare delivery will result particularly in rural areas. Should SCEDA make this a priority for SCEDA to include in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
26.
Workforce
State training programs and workforce readiness at the State’s Technical Colleges are said to be instrumental in economic development. Should SCEDA support more funding and support for these initiatives in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
27.
Public Transportation
The lack of public transportation has been raised as an issue in the State. Should SCEDA support policy to improve or increase the availability of public transportation in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
28.
Tort Reform
Should SCEDA support policy to continue to improve South Carolina's tort environment in its 2026 Legislative Agenda?
A very high priority
A somewhat high priority
Not sure
A somewhat low priority
A very low priority
29.
Please provide any additional feedback you would like
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