The story from the N&O broke locally on the BigTalker FM. Local media still reluctant to cover it. Here’s the latest story in the local print media is about how “Project Soccer,” affectionately called “Project Sucker” by critics, may go to SC.
(StarNews) - The S.C. Commerce Department is working to finalize a deal with Continental Tire that would bring 1,500 jobs to Sumter County, a source close to the negotiations told The State.
Meanwhile, up in Raleigh, the AP has uncovered a far more damaging story about this incentive package that reflects poorly on NC’s embattled Governor Perdue.
(News & Observer) - RALEIGH — A state lawmaker and a group of Democratic political donors with ties to Gov. Beverly Perdue are poised to sell land at a handsome profit for a tire plant that’s being lured with $100 million in state and local incentives, according to public records reviewed by The Associated Press.
Some of the damaging assertions:
• Garrett Perdue, the gov’s son, is a lawyer and site-selection consultant for an influential law firm that a county official said was advising the tire company.
• Perdue’s campaign has received more than $52,000 from five men with an ownership stake in the Brunswick County industrial park proposed for the new facility.
• The Associated Press indicated that money from the incentives package would be used to buy a large portion of the 1,129 acre site for the tire plant at a price of $6,000 an acre. Records show the investors bought the site in 2007 for $4.3 million, or about $3,800 an acre.
• The proposed location, the Mid-Atlantic Logistics Center, is owned by a group of investors that includes state Sen. Michael P. Walters, a Democrat from Proctorville.
• Stakeholder David Stephenson is a major Democratic contributor appointed to the board of Golden LEAF, a foundation created by the state legislature to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars in incentive money. He and his family have donated more than $85,000 to Democratic candidates over the last 20 years.
• The deal is expected to include tax breaks, infrastructure improvements, cash grants and a forgivable loan. (What’s a “forgivable loan”????
• William E. Musselwhite, a Lumberton lawyer who owns a share of the land, has given more than $22,000 to state Democrats, including $14,500 to Perdue.
• Dennis T. Worley, a Tabor City attorney and another of the owners, has given more than $28,000 to Democrats, including $7,700 to Perdue.
• Kyle A. Cox, another Tabor City lawyer and part property owner, gave more than $11,000 to Democrats, including $2,000 to Perdue.
But I just love the final quote from Brunswick County’s economic director:
Jim Bradshaw said he doesn’t care who owns the land. ”I don’t know who these people are,” Bradshaw said. “I don’t know who contributes to who. I just want to bring these jobs to Brunswick County.”
When you’re one of the inside traders, you’re one of the inside traders and ignorance is no excuse here. We’re just supposed to believe this is all just a coincidence??
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