The Womble Carlyle Economic Digest - January 24, 2014

Womble Carlyle’s Economic Development Digest aggregates news, opportunities and legislation impacting business in the United States.

In this week's Economic Development Digest:

California

California Governor touts state's economic comeback, TaxAnalysts.com (January 22, 2014)** In his 2014 State of the State address, California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) reiterated the goals of his proposed fiscal 2015 budget, including establishing a solid rainy day fund and paying down the state's debts, and lauded the state's economic recovery following temporary tax increases approved in 2012.

Delaware

Wage vote on agenda today, The News Journal (January 22, 2014) Delaware focuses on keeping jobs and growing and supporting the economy.

Florida

Florida Appeal Court: Developer ineligible for Enterprise Zone Tax Refund for building materials, TaxAnalysts.com (January 17, 2014)** The Florida Court of Appeals held that a developer is ineligible for a tax refund for taxes paid on building materials used in an Enterprise Zone (EZ) project because, while the subject property was in an EZ when purchased by the developer, the zone was later redrawn and did not include the property at the time the developer used the materials.

Georgia

Womble Carlyle adds Atlanta commercial real estate with the addition of two new attorneys, wcsr.com (January 17, 2014) The Atlanta office of Womble Carlyle grows its Atlanta commercial real estate practice with two new attorneys. State lawmakers consider tax breaks for the music business, Flagpole (January 8, 2014) State lawmakers in Georgia consider economic development incentives targeted at the music industry.

Maryland

Maryland Governor praises state's economic climate in the State of the State, TaxAnalysts.com (January 23, 2014)** In his 2014 State of the State address, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) recounted the state's economic progress and recovery after the recession, reiterated his plan to eliminate the state's structural deficit without raising taxes, and called on lawmakers to increase the minimum wage to reduce taxpayers' burden of paying for poverty programs.

National

Why we must raise minimum wage: A business owner's review, Black Star News (January 2, 2014) The minimum wage is too low, and customers have less to spend on the products businesses sell.

South Carolina

Ellison: S.C.-Israeli partnership a winner for both sides, The State (January 22, 2013) South Carolina was the only state to have an official presence in mid-December at Israel’s premier annual business gathering in Tel Aviv, attended by more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and Israeli officials. Greenville, Pickens roads to be resurfaced, The Greenville News (January 19, 2014) Local roads in upstate South Carolina to be resurfaced, costing more than $2,000,000.00. South Carolina Supreme Court throws out cruise lawsuit, Charleston Regional Business Journal (January 22, 2014) South Carolina Supreme Court dismisses a lawsuit alleging Carnival Cruise Lines’ operations in Charleston are unlawful or a nuisance to citizens. Port volume up nearly 6 percent in 2013, Midlandsbiz.com (January 22, 2014) The South Carolina Ports Authority announces volume increases across all business segments in 2013. South Carolina Governor opposes gas tax increase and calls for income tax cut, TaxAnalysts.com (January 24, 2014)** South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) on January 22 said she will veto any bill raising the gas tax and reiterated her call for the Legislature to eliminate the 6 percent individual income tax bracket.

**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.