CHARLOTTE, N.C. — State Sen. Dick Harpootlian continues to raise questions about the basis for $150 million worth of proposed incentives for the Carolina Panthers to build a new headquarters in South Carolina — but also appears ready to let the incentives bill go to a vote within the next week. Harpootlian, a Columbia Democrat in the Republican-led legislature, told CBJ on Wednesday that he plans to release his hold on the bill and allow it to go before the full Senate soon.
[PAST COVERAGE: Panthers move to SC could bring nearly $3.8B to state; bill still stalled]
Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, and state lawmakers in South Carolina put an incentives bill on the fast track this session to make professional sports franchises eligible for jobs tax breaks similar to those commanded by companies in other industries. In return for the NFL team moving to a 200-acre site in Rock Hill, just across the state line in York County, South Carolina would provide $108 million in jobs tax credits and grants over 15 years and build a new interchange for an estimated $40 million leading to the headquarters site.
[ [PAST COVERAGE: McMaster: 'Unified effort' to bring new Panthers practice facility to SC] ]
The House passed the incentives bill in March, soon after Panthers owner David Tepper met with McMaster and 24 legislators and Cabinet leaders at the governor’s mansion.
Tepper and other team executives have stressed the need for updated and upgraded practice, medical and nutrition centers for Panthers players. The team’s current football facilities and business offices are located at Bank of America Stadium in uptown Charlotte, along with three adjacent practice fields located on city-owned land.
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