Leatherman: Commerce requested about $125M for incentives

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The leader of the South Carolina Senate says he was asked to make roughly $125 million in borrowing available for a potential business incentive package.

Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman said Thursday he initially included the amount in a draft of his borrowing package until Gov. Nikki Haley made clear she didn’t want it.

State lawmakers have said Volvo is considering South Carolina for a new plant. Leatherman said Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt told him several weeks ago he may need $125 million for an economic development deal that could create 2,500 jobs. He says Hitt didn’t name the company.

Leatherman’s Senate Finance Committee advanced Wednesday a budget package that includes borrowing $236 million, overwhelmingly for college construction.

Haley has already pledged to veto any such bonding bill.