Squabble over Jasper economic development

RIDGELAND, S.C. (AP) — Just who is in charge of economic development in Jasper County is the center of a squabble between the county and a local development alliance.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head (http://bit.ly/MYR60r ) reports the county left the Lowcountry Economic Alliance earlier this year. Now the alliance accuses the county of hiring lobbyists who pushed a state budget provision that cost the alliance $600,000 in funds.

The county recently sent a strongly worded letter telling the alliance to stop acting on its behalf and to remove all references to Jasper County from its website.

Jasper County manager Andy Fulghum says the alliance cannot advertise that it’s handling economic development in the county. Fulghum says that’s the county’s job.

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Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com