York County Considers Business Tax Breaks

York County Councillors will meet in coming months to determine how and whether the county will offer incentives for businesses relocating to the area.
Financial breaks to spur economic development are common, including fees in lieu of tax (FILOT) agreements, Bailey Bill which freezes taxable value on redevelopment properties, and federal Opportunity Zones (of which parts of Rock Hill, Chester, and Lancaster are designated). In March, legislation for tax and development credits were introduced by state legislators in hopes of bringing the Carolina Panthers training site and headquarters to South Carolina.

However, not everyone is in favor of such tax breaks. Citizens are not privy to any such deals, and the county can’t afford to give these incentives to all businesses.

Councilwoman Christi Cox has asked to schedule a discussion on the impact and value of such incentives. Usually, the economic development committee sees potential FILOT agreements before they’re presented before the whole council, but a workshop is planned to address issues before the entire council. Some of those issues include whether a business seeking a fee agreement is offering livable wages, and that the promised investments are being realized.

Sometimes incentives and fee agreements are worked out behind closed doors, using code names (“Project Combat," for instance). Cox affirms that the county and council members can be pro-business without approving FILOTs for every business and that the county should be selective when it comes to who gets these deals. “ Every business is welcome here in York County — period. The question is, at what point and when do
we extend tax breaks?”