SC agriculture agency sees new ways to push market

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s agricultural agency has found another way to promote the State Farmers Market after losing $1 million from the state budget.

A state borrowing committee on Wednesday approved the agency’s request to use $760,000 in accumulated interest to advertise and direct drivers to the market that opened in West Columbia in 2010. The request now goes to the Budget and Control Board.

A lower-than-expected surplus in taxes collected last year cut $15 million worth of projects from the current budget. Casualties included $400,000 for signs and improvements, and $600,000 to promote all three state-owned markets.

The scaled-back promotion plan leaves out the regional markets in Florence and Greenville.

The interest comes from the $15 million purchase in 2008 of the market’s former location near Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.