By fitsnews – June 28, 2012
FACILITY WILL MOVE FORWARD ON “AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE”
South Carolina officials are breathing a sigh of relief after contractor problems with the new Continental tire facility have reportedly been resolved. According to our sources, construction of the facility – which will reportedly create 1,700 new jobs over the coming decade – has begun on an “aggressive schedule” that features a partnership between a new general contractor out of North Carolina and a new local contractor based in Columbia, S.C.
Based on this “aggressive schedule,” production at the facility will commence in August 2013.
Earlier this month we reported that the German tire manufacturer “may scratch, or at least postpone (construction) pending rebid” of contracting services, adding that the project was “way over budget.”
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s administration shelled out big taxpayer dollars – at least $35 million that we know of – to land Continental back in October. It was later revealed that additional public money was provided for the project by the S.C. State Ports Authority.
Did South Carolina get a good deal? That remains to be seen … although we do know that public officials in North Carolina previously backed out of Continental project saying its costs were “not in the best interest” of Tar Heel taxpayers.
Obviously, we oppose these incentives under any circumstances. Why? Because there is no accountability, and more importantly because they shift the tax burden in South Carolina onto the backs of small businesses. Also … since when was it a core function of government to pick winners and losers in the private sector?
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