The Economic Development Digest - December 6, 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

High-speed rail: Judge's decision also endangers $3.3 billion in federal funds, San Jose Mercury News (November 28, 2013) A California judge’s decision to block California’s access to funds to build a bullet train endangers potential federal funding too. California considering draft regulations on business tax credits, TaxAnalysts.com (November 25, 2013)** Proposed draft regulations presented by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development at public workshops across the state would govern the California Competes Tax Credit program, which provides income tax credits to businesses that relocate and expand in the state.

Missouri

Missouri Senate passes Governor's plan for huge Boeing tax breaks, TaxAnalysts.com (December 5, 2013)** The Republican-controlled Missouri Senate on December 4 voted by a two-thirds majority to pass Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's plan to grant about $1.7 billion in tax breaks to Boeing Co. over the next two decades.

National

IRS provides guidance on obtaining refunds for employment and income taxes paid on same-sex benefits, and IRS adopts new Use it or Lose It rule for Health FSAs, wcsr.com (December 2013) The Internal Revenue Service recently provided guidance for employers and employees to make claims for refunds of overpayments of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes and Federal income tax withholding (employment taxes) with respect to certain benefits provided to same-sex spouses resulting from the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor. Treasury and IRS provide Thanksgiving surprise: Proposed 501(c)(4) political activity rules, wcsr.com (December 2, 2013) The Treasury Department and the IRS delivered their own holiday gift. On Tuesday, November 26, they released proposed guidance aimed at clarifying which conduct by tax-exempt social welfare organizations – 501(c)(4) entities – qualifies as political campaign activity.

North Carolina

North Carolina DOR summarizes 2013 tax law changes, TaxAnalysts.com (November 21, 2013)** The North Carolina Department of Revenue has released a publication designed for DOR personnel, that summarizes tax law changes that take effect for tax year 2013 and changes made by the General Assembly in 2013 regardless of effective date. Until recently, local incentives were rarely used to lure business, Star News Online (December 1, 2013) An increase in incentive packages approved in the Wilmington, North Carolina area lately is a departure from economic development activity in recent years. Charlotte weighs bid for major Boeing plant, Charlotte Observer (December 4, 2013) Charlotte officials are working to enter the multi-state competition for a manufacturing plant to build Boeing’s new 777X jetliner, a project that could potentially bring more than 8,000 jobs and a major aerospace industry player to the city.

South Carolina

Where factory apprenticeship is latest model from Germany, The New York Times (November 30, 2013) The New York Times reports that in South Carolina, apprenticeships are mainly funded by employers, but the state introduced a four-year, annual tax credit of $1,000 per position in 2007 that proved to be a boon for small- to medium-size companies. In South Carolina, the emphasis on job training has also been a major calling card overseas for South Carolina officials, who lured BMW here two decades ago and more recently persuaded France’s Michelin and Germany’s Continental Tire to expand in South Carolina.

Virginia

Falls tax law to be sought anew, TriCities.com (November 26, 2013) City leaders in Bristol, Virginia prepare to ask the General Assembly of Virginia to modify legislation enabling tax funding for an economic development project commonly referred to as “The Falls”. Patents bring bioscience innovation to life, Richmond Times-Dispatch (December 3, 2014) The CEO of VirginiaBIO discusses the importance of an effective patent system and its impact on the life sciences industry in Virginia.

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP

Morris Ellison, Partner at WCSR, is currently participating in a business and research mission to Israel. A large South Carolina delegation is on the trip, and the goal is to promote relationships between South Carolina and Israel, including trade, joint ventures, investment and joint research opportunities. Mr. Ellison will be participating in the Globes Israel Business Conference, and South Carolina is the only U.S. state with an official presence at Israel’s premier annual business gathering.

West Virginia

Statewide listening tour is a good idea, Charleston Daily Mail (November 22, 2013) West Virginia’s economy seems to be picking up, as the Commerce Chief announces existing plant expansions and potential new investments in the state.

**Note: a paid subscription is required to access this article. A brief description has been provided. Please contact Womble Carlyle’s Economic Development Team for more information on these developments.

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.

If you have any questions about this Economic Development Digest, please e-mail EconDigest@wcsr.com or contact any member of Womble Carlyle's Economic Development Team.