South Carolina places sixth in the list of the best states for business growth, according to new research by business consulting firm Venture Smarter.

Venture Smarter analyzed data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics to discover the business growth rate in each state based on the number of establishments in December 2021 compared to December 2022.

South Carolina witnessed the number of establishments grow from 155,945 in December 2021 to 170,968 in December 2022, resulting in a business growth rate of 9.60%. South Carolina offers incentives for new businesses registered as a corporation, such as no local income tax, no state property tax, and no inventory tax.

Top of the list is Georgia, with a business growth rate of 13.50%. In December 2022, there were 397,515 business establishments compared to 350,189 in December 2021. Corporate income tax is set at a reasonable rate of 5.75% in Georgia, with the state also offering job tax credit to reduce corporate tax liability for eligible businesses. I

n second place is Virginia, which witnessed a business growth rate of 10.50%; the number of businesses increased from 305,345 in December 2021 to 337,394 one year later. The state offers many small business incentive programs, including the Virginia Enterprise Zone, which has many benefits, from tax exemption for rehabilitated structures to tax credits for creating employment.

Arizona is in third place with a business growth rate of 10.40% after seeing the number of business establishments rise from 191,756 in December 2021 to 211,683 the following year.

The state has the 14th lowest corporate income tax rate in America at 4.9%. Montana and Vermont are in joint fourth place, with both states seeing a business growth rate of 10.20%. Starting an LLC in Montana requires an initial filing fee of just $35, which is significantly lower than in other states, such as California, with a cost of $500. As well as this, Vermont citizens can take advantage of several business incentives, such as flexible profit distribution, which allows companies registered as LLCs to choose various ways to distribute profits.

Rounding out the top 5 is Michigan, with a business growth rate of 9.80%. The state saw establishments increase from 275,636 in December 2021 to 302,624 in December 2022.

Michigan experienced a small business revenue increase of 24% between January 2020 and January 2022, significantly higher than the 6.9% average rate across the nation.

On the opposite end of the scale, Washington has the worst business growth rate of -16.80%.

The state had 284,440 establishments in December 2022, which decreased by 47,644 in December 2022. Washington was the only state to witness a decrease of establishments.

To see how all the states ranked, visit the Venture Smart website.

This information was provided by Venture Smarter, a team of expert consultants with years of experience.

The city of Charleston will be voting Monday and Tuesday night on the approval of a $2 million replacement bridge on Daniel Island.

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The city of Charleston will be voting Monday and Tuesday night on the approval of a $2 million replacement bridge on Daniel Island.

The Beresford Creek Bridge is one of the only two ways to get onto Daniel Island, but officials say the bridge is in need of demolition and replacement after years of use.

The final approval of the project from the city council would include adding a pedestrian and bike lane since the current bridge is very narrow.

Charleston City Councilman Boyd Gregg has been pushing for approval of the project to reduce dangerous traffic conditions on the bridge.

“More than anything, right now, I’d say pedestrian access,” Gregg says. “There’s not a really safe path for pedestrians cross or bikers to cross; the new bridge will have much improved pedestrian access.”

The bridge experienced damage to its infrastructure about three years ago, forcing load limits on the bridge for heavy trucks.

More recently, fire vehicles and ambulances are no longer to access the island from the bridge due to its current condition.

City of Charleston Director of Public Service Tom O’Brien says the bridge was built in the 90s, and it used to be the only way to access Daniel Island before Interstate 526 provided another entry point.

“Obviously with all the development with the homes and the town center, traffic has increased,” O’Brien says. “The bridge we will be replacing it with will be a very solid bridge and will provide great access for the people.”

Daniel Island is also working on another project to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Nowell Creek.

“I think it shows the city’s commitment to provide these passages and safe ways to allow for pedestrians and bicycles to use the city,” O’Brien says.

Both O’Brien and Gregg are pushing for the project to finish before the next school year.

“There’s a significant amount of school traffic on this road, particularly for those traveling up with Phillip Simmons High School,” Gregg says. “We really wanted to try to get this done as much as we could during the summer to try to alleviate some of that school traffic and take advantage of school being out.”

In efforts to address traffic concerns, the city will be holding a meeting in the next month to explain the entire construction process and answer questions from nearby homeowners.

The project will be voted on at Monday night’s Public Works and Utilities Commission meeting and Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

DANIEL ISLAND — The Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band concert at Credit One Stadium slated for May 20 is being rescheduled due to an unexpected and undisclosed health issue that has befallen the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” singer.

The last-minute show, which was announced on May 12, with ticket sales beginning May 15, will now take place at a yet-to-be-announced later date.

Buffett was quoted in a news release regarding the rescheduling, with mentions of an unexpected hospitalization after a recent Bahamas trip and his promise to return to the Lowcountry, or, as he calls it, the “land of she-crab soup.”

“Hello, my faithful fans in Charleston and beyond. These few words from Mark Twain about life changes, seemed perfect to pass on at this time. ‘Challenges,’ he said make life interesting however overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. I had a sudden change of plans this week that affected us all. Two days ago, I was just back from a trip to the Bahamas, thawing out from the California ‘winter tour,’ and chomping at the bit to get to Charleston. I had to stop in Boston for a check-up but wound up back in the hospital to address some issues that needed immediate attention. Growing old is not for sissies, I promise you. I also will promise you, that when I am well enough to perform, that is what I’ll be doing in the land of she-crab soup. You all make my life more meaningful and fulfilled than I would have ever imagined as a toe-headed little boy sitting on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, your amazing years of loyalty, and just remember, ‘NOT YET!’”

Buffett and his band’s show would’ve been part of the Second Wind Tour 2023. They’ve been working on a new album as a followup to 2020′s “Life on the Flip Side,” which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard.

In initial anticipation of the event, Credit One Stadium’s general manager, Chris Meany, said, “We can’t wait to have the Parrot Heads join us for what will be the biggest party of the year! Don’t miss out — Fins up!”

According to the latest news release announcing the rescheduling, all previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date once announced, and more information will be emailed to ticket purchasers directly.

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — City officials have been working to replace the Beresford Creek Bridge on Daniel Island for quite some time now.

Construction was originally supposed to start in the spring of 2022, but officials had to relocate some utilities causing a delay to the start.

Nine-month construction begins for Beresford Creek Bridge on Daniel Island. (WCIV)

Residents have been wanting the bridge to be replaced ever since an annual report found one of the bridge beams had deteriorated. Since then, there has been a weight limit on the bridge and a two-inch steel plate was installed to make the drive safe.

Construction will not only help traffic flow in and out of Daniel Island easier, it will also make room for pedestrians and bikers.

Read More: Work to begin on Beresford Creek Bridge replacement project; scheduled to last 9 months

“In addition to the bridge, we’re also putting a pedestrian bike path which will go on the side of the bridge," said Tom Obrien, the Director of Public Service for Charleston. "Which will allow for safe passage for bikers and joggers to use the bridge to transfer off the road without being worried about cars and things like that."

But with this long process, the bridge will be completely closed down, causing drivers to look at other routes.

Read More: Train to perform at Credit One Stadium this September

Officials advise drivers living west of the project to take Clements Ferry Road and drivers living east of the project will be routed to Seven Farms Road and River Landing Drive.

Some people did have concerns about the reroutes.

"We’ve had some, people are concerned about the issue of the detour but unfortunately when you’re doing a complete bridge replacement, there has to be another passage to allow," Obrien said.

Read More: 'Smash and Grab' spree concerns Daniel Island residents

"There's just no way because of the location of the bridge to have any temporary access, now people did suggest oh well why couldn’t you do one half of the bridge at a time well that lengthens the construction process and what we’re trying to do is be done as quickly as possible," he continued.

Officials hope the bridge will be reopened by April 2024.

This week there are several developments coming before the various City of Charleston boards and committees. Below are those items as well as results, if any, from the prior week’s items specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area. More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING: CITY OF CHARLESTON TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

July 20: Woodfield Daniel Island 3 – Review of revisions to previously approved site plan for new multifamily development, 175 units on 6.3 acres at 2058 Daniel Island Drive.

July 20: Woodfield Point Hope 3 – Site plan for a mixed-use development on 44.6 acres with 360 units at 1260 Clements Ferry Road.

July 20: Berkshire on Clements Ferry (Point Hope-Goldfinch Tract) - Site plan for mixed-use development, 192 units on 62.86 acres.

July 20: Point Hope Medical Building - Site plan for medical office building on 10.2 acres at 1236 Clements Ferry Road.

July 20: Point Hope Site 10A – Site plan at 1260 Clements Ferry Road for five commercial buildings with associated parking and utilities.

July 20: Point Hope Townhouses (Ashton Residential) – Two items: Preliminary plat and road construction plans for townhome development at 1236 Clements Ferry Road, 110 units on 42 acres.

July 20: Tuxbury Farm Tract - Concept plan for major subdivision, 83 lots on 15.1 acres.

July 27: River Landing – Sit plan for new town home development with stormwater ponds, and amenities at 56 Fairchild Street, 30 units on 8.056 acres.

RESULTS: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – ZONING

July 18: 51 Watroo Point - Request variance from Sec. 54-263 Daniel Island PUD Master Plan zoning regulations to allow a 12-sf. porch addition encroachment into the 20-ft. visual buffer zone. Results available next week.

RESULTS: DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

July 17: Fairchild (at the I-526 east bound ramp) - Conceptual approval for a new townhome community with 30 units, 18 two-story units and 12 three-story units. Results available next week.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY & COUNTY MEETINGS

Berkeley Co. Bd. of Education meets the first and third Monday of each month. Executive Committee meets at 5:30 p.m.; meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

Berkeley Co. Council meets fourth Mon. of each month, 6 p.m., Berkeley County Admin. Blg., 1003 Hwy 52, Moncks Corner.

City of Charleston Council typically meets the second and fourth Tues. of each month, 5 p.m., City Hall, 80 Broad Street, Charleston, SC and/or virtually via Conference Call #1-929-205-6099; Access Code: 912 096 416. Exceptions: Summer Schedule - 3rd Tues. of June, July, and August; December meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tues. Dates and locations subject to change.

City of Charleston Technical Review Committee meets every Thurs. at 9 a.m.via Zoom.

City of Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals – Site Design meets the 1st Wed. of each month at 5 p.m. via Zoom.

City of Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals – Zoning meets the 1st and 3rd Tues. of each month at 5:15 p.m., except for January and July when no meeting is held on the 1st Tues.

City of Charleston Design Review Board meets the 1st and 3rd Mon. of every month at 4:30 p.m.

City of Charleston Planning Commission meets the 3rd Wed. of every month at 5 p.m.

City of Charleston Board of Architectural Review – Large projects meets the 2nd and 4th Wed. of every month at 4:30 p.m.

City of Charleston Board of Architectural Review – Small projects meets the 2nd and 4th Thurs. of every month at 4:30 p.m.