Meanwhile …
While most Palmetto State residents fretted over the ongoing saga of scandal-plagued Governor Narcissus (a.k.a. Mark Sanford), South Carolina dropped eight spots on a list of the nation’s most competitive states.
Compiled annually by CNBC, South Carolina has ranked 29th on the list of “top states for business” in each of the last two years, but this year the state’s ranking fell to 37th.
Virginia was ranked as the nation’s most competitive state, the second time in three years it has earned that distinction. South Carolina’s neighboring states of North Carolina and Georgia ranked ninth and tenth-most competitive, respectively.
South Carolina received positive marks for its low cost of doing business, low cost of living and workforce, but the state ranked well below the national average in every other category, including our economy, education system and business friendliness.
So, what do these results tell us?
Sadly, nothing that we don’t all know already …
Comments
By rick beltram on August 27th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Fits:
There is no doubt that the next Gov. will need to be an expert in the execution of Economic Development. I look forward to the debates on this subject.
As I travel (sales) on a regular basis to 5 states(NC/SC/GA/AL/TN), it is very clear that we are not preforming well. Your posting confirms what I have seen for the past year.
RSB
By rick on August 27th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Nothing like keeping score of repeated failures…now all we need is to use the data to turn this mess around….oh wait, thats right, we be proud of bein lasss.
By jricktaylor on August 27th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Did you also notice that we rank 5th in cost of doing business? The top two states rank 26th and 33rd respectively. Somebody tell me how cutting taxes more is going to improve our ranking.
By Joseph Reynolds on August 27th, 2009 at 8:54 am
so, yet again more conclusive proof that having the lowest property taxes does not make us competitive. When will we start focusing on the reforms that actually matter?
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on August 27th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Hell, it would be nice if the next governor could spell economic development. It would also be nice if he hired a competent commerce secretary; and old school successful businessman who would do the job for a dollar a year (ie, Bob Royall) instead of a silver-spooner who demands a six-figure salary and doesn’t know shit (ie, college drop-out Joe Taylor).
By John Steinberger on August 27th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Just another reason to support the South Carolina FairTax Act, H.3992, sponsored by Rep. Rex Rice (Pickens) and Rep. Joey Millwood (Spartanburg). Our 7% personal income tax makes our state less competitive in small business recruitment.
By jricktaylor on August 27th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I am very familiar with the state that ranked number 1 in this survey (Virginia). My family members that run small businesses in that state pay taxes at levels that would give South Carolinians heart attacks. Their transportation taxes are even worse, and their utility bills are a crime. But I think the survey is right – Virginia supports their small businesses in ways SC can’t even understand.
Lowering our taxes will not solve anything. Truly supporting small business development will.
By Statesman on August 27th, 2009 at 11:45 am
My plant’s property taxes have gone up tremdously since the Legislature changed the tax structure to remove the school taxes from personal property taxes and go with the $.01 sales tax.
By scooter on August 27th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Sanford doing a press conference outside Rep. Thomas’ law office today, to talk about the ethics issues. Can we say ” stalker”, “bully-boy”, “inappropriate”, “crazy”, “waste of tax payers time and money”……
By Charles on August 27th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
So here we are after a decade of Republican rule in the Legislature and eight years of Republican rule in the Executive Branch. Can’t wait to see what a great job they will do over the next decade.