One Percent Tax Seeks to Pave the Way to Improvements
By Dave Hoffman
Dorchester County residents and visitors can look forward to improvements in their transportation systems thanks to a one percent transportation sales and use tax that was approved at the November ballot vote.
The tax is expected to generate $735,000,000 that will go towards improvements to several roads in the region. These include Dorchester Road, Orangeburg Loop (consisting of Orangeburg, Mallard and Jedburg Roads), Miles Jamison Road, US Highway 78, SC Highway 173 (also known as Myers Mayo Road), Patriot Boulevard and Wescott Boulevard, Maple Street Extension, and Cedar Street Extension. Improvements will also be made on transportation facilities that are located in the Ashley River corridor.
Residents and visitors will also see local improvements that include US Highway 17A, Central Avenue, Midland Parkway, Parsons Road, Delemar Highway, Wright Road, SC Highway 61, SC Highway 27, US Highway 15, Givhans Ferry Road, Ridge Road, Wire Road, Second Bend Road, Seven Mile Road, Stallsville Loop, William Canady Road, Old Tower Road and Schultz Lake Road.
Other improvements include an extension of Old Ford Road, preserving pavement, improving dirt roads in the area, and safety improvements at intersections. There will also be work done on commuter bicycle and pedestrian paths such as Sawmill Branch trail and other facilities that are designed to reduce automobile traffic.
Wells said staff spends a significant amount of its time overseeing the pristine, endangered old-growth Longleaf Pine Forest the site holds, by actively managing the ecosystem and converting land back into longleaf forest as appropriate.
The revenue comes from what is called a “one cent sales and use tax” because it generates one cent for every dollar spent by residents, tourists, and visitors who use Dorchester County roads and related services. It is a continuation of an existing sales tax. The tax will go towards improvements in transportation and drainage related facilities and mass transit systems including roads, streets, bridges, and highways.
“I’m very pleased that the voters made the decision to continue the transportation tax this past November,” said Councilman David Chinnis. “County Council’s commitment is to do exactly what we said we’d do and improve roads and greenspaces in Dorchester County. We are excited and ready to move forward in making our county an even better place to live and work!”
Anyone interested in learning more can find maps of the projects here: https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/our-county/transportation-sales-tax-referendum-2022/proposed-projects/-fsiteid-1#!/
Top Five Industries in Dorchester County
Advanced Manufacturing
In the last 10 years, manufacturing employment has grown 18 percent in South Carolina with an estimated 5,000 jobs tied to the manufacturing industry in Dorchester County. KION North America Corporation, a forklift builder, Showa Denko Carbon, a leading global supplier of graphite electrodes, and BID Group Technologies, a specialist in engineering and design, industrial fabrication, construction, and facilities management for sawmills, are among the largest manufacturers in the county.
Automotive
The automotive industry keeps South Carolina’s economy moving with an estimated annual economic impact of more than $27 billion. Dorchester County is home to automotive parts maker, Robert Bosch, LLC, the county’s largest private employer, ZF, a leader in commercial vehicle technology for trucks, trailers, and buses, and Sundaram Clayton Limited, a leading supplier of aluminum die castings to the automotive and non-automotive sector. In 2022, Bosch announced their expansion into electric motor production, a $260 million investment into their Dorchester County operations creating 350 new jobs.
Recreational Marine
Four boat manufacturers call Dorchester County home. Key West Boats has two locations in the area with more than 160,000 square feet of operational facilities for design, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and customer service. Scout Boats, located in Summerville, designs and manufactures world class luxury models from 17 to 53 feet, each packed with timeless innovations, technology, and trendsetting features. Zodiac Nautic, also located in Summerville, has been mastering air and water exploration since 1896.
Professional craftsmen at Sportsman Boats manufacture family-friendly console boats using the latest designs, procedures and materials. In fall of 2022, Phenom Yachts, a subsidiary of Sportsman Boats, announced plans to establish operations in Dorchester County with a $12 million investment, creating 149 new jobs.
Logistics and Distribution
Logistics and distribution account for a large part of Dorchester County’s economic development wins and is a segment that will see continued growth. In 2021, Walmart opened a $220 million distribution center near Ridgeville to strengthen its supply chain network while creating more than 1,000 local, full-time jobs.
This direct import distribution center, spanning nearly 3 million square feet, supplies several regional distribution centers supporting approximately 850 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs across South Carolina and beyond.
Construction Materials
The construction materials industry in Dorchester County employs more than 2,300 people. Knight’s Companies Inc. has celebrated over 50 years in business. The family-owned company has expanded its offerings from septic tank work to becoming a leading provider of commercial concrete products in the region and one of the county’s largest employers. Dorchester County is also home to international cement companies Argos and Giant Cement.
Dorchester County’s one percent transportation sales and use tax will go towards improvements to several roads in the regions, including:
• Dorchester Road
• Orangeburg Loop (consisting of Orangeburg, Mallard and Jedburg Roads)
• Miles Jamison Road, US Highway 78, SC Highway 173 (also known as Myers Mayo Road)
• Patriot Boulevard and Wescott Boulevard
• Maple Street Extension
• Cedar Street Extension