The Economic Development Digest - December 13, 2013

Womble Carlyle’s Economic Development Digest aggregates news, opportunities and legislation impacting business in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S.

In this week's Economic Development Digest:

California

Activists, utility expand claims in suit over CPUC energy efficiency charge, Environmental Newstand (December 13, 2013)** Attorneys for a major environmental group and one of California's largest investor-owned utilities are expanding competing arguments in a closely watched lawsuit that may determine the extent of the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) authority to approve new ratepayer charges to fund energy efficiency and renewable power research and development programs.

Florida

Lasting tax cuts will help the most, Tallahassee Democrat (December 7, 2013) $600 million of tax cuts are being primed for legislative passage in next year’s session in Florida.

National

12 states compete for Boeing jobs, but few disclose details, TaxAnalysts.com (December 12, 2013)** Executives at aerospace giant Boeing Co. on December 10 received a pile of early Christmas presents chock-full of tax breaks and incentives from states hoping to secure production facilities for a new line of commercial jets, the 777X.

North Carolina

State income taxes will drop, but new paperwork confuses some, The News & Observer (December 7, 2013) A major overhaul of the North Carolina tax system takes effect in a few weeks. Boeing's 777x site criteria revealed as Charlotte joins hunt, The Post & Courier (December 5, 2013) Charlotte, North Carolina has joined the hunt for a site for Boeing to produce its forthcoming 777X passenger jet. Decker says changes at Commerce Department will affect 61 state workers, The News & Observer (December 12, 2013) North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker confirmed this week that the pending move of the North Carolina Commerce Department’s business recruiting and marketing functions to a private nonprofit is expected to affect 61 state workers, and could cost the state as much as $1.8 million in severance payments.

South Carolina

S.C. leaders seek to strengthen connection between college, jobs, scedablog.com (December 9, 2013) Through a new program called “Completing Through Knowledge”, South Carolina leaders hope to build a stronger connection between students in college and employers. Boeing announces land purchase, expansion in N. Charleston, Live5News (December 13, 2013) Boeing strengthened its commitment to building planes in North Charleston Friday, as officials announced the acquisition of over 450 acres of land and future plans to build new facilities on its campus.

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Womble Carlyle's Economic Development Team helps clients explore opportunities for locating or expanding operations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Our Economic Development Team combines a thorough working knowledge of economic development incentives; land use and siting procedures; and regulatory matters at the state, county and local levels, drawing on strong relationships built over many years with key governmental and civic leaders. For more information visit www.wcsr.com/economicdevelopment.

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