Under Hartsville’s Economic Development Incentive Program, the City of Hartsville may make offers, such as providing some reimbursements of fees and taxes, which increase Hartsville’s attractiveness to private developers. The program is available to developers interested in investing in new commercial construction as well as in renovating existing buildings in Hartsville’s historic downtown as well as the corridors of Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets (see map below). Projects eligible for consideration include new businesses which will improve commercial activity in these areas, attract residents and visitors and increase property values.

The private developer must be proposing at least $1 million in improvements to a property upon the project’s completion. The project must also be consistent with the Hartsville 2020 Comprehensive Plan and the City of Hartsville Master Plan. The intended use of the development must be for at least one of these business purposes:

  • Retail uses
  • Tourism-related business or activities
  • Cultural arts activities and associated businesses
  • Corporate headquarters
  • Research and development
  • High-technology growth business
  • Other uses as determined by City Council as consistent with the goals of the program, Comprehensive Plan and Master Plan.

State of South Carolina programs may be considered by City Council to be combined with any package of incentives, or to provide a stand-alone set of incentives for in-city projects located out of the eligible development area. These state programs include property tax credits, as authorized by the S.C. Abandoned Building Act, the S.C. Textiles Communities Revitalization Act, the S.C. Retail Facilities Revitalization Act, or the S.C. real property tax credit for the installation of a fire sprinkler system (see applications below).

When granted by the City, incentives may take the form of reimbursements and refunds of fees and taxes which have been paid to the City. Incentives may include:

  • Up to 100 percent of applicable tap fees collected by the City
  • Up to 50 percent of building permit fees collected by the City
  • Up to 50 percent of business license fees collected by the City for as many as 5 years
  • Up to 50 percent of local hospitality taxes collected by the City for as many as five years, so long as funds received through the incentive are spent only for purposes that are related to tourism
  • Up to 50 percent of the local accommodations taxes collected by the City for as many as five years, so long as funds received through the incentive are spent only for purposes that are related to tourism
  • Other incentives that the Council grants at its discretion on a case-by-case basis

Proposed sets of incentives for a development must be submitted by application to the City Manager.

Applications and more information