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Berkeley County economic development director resigns
By Molly Parker
Staff Writer
Despite his helping to nab $1.3 billion in corporate investment last year, including a Google data center, Berkeley County’s economic development director said he was given the choice in late April to either resign or be fired.
After 15 years in that position, John Scarborough said he felt there was no alternative but to resign.
“I’ve never had a verbal or a written reprimand in any of my personnel files. I thought I was doing a good job,” he said. “We had a record year last year. I’m just very disappointed.”
Scarborough said County Supervisor and Board Chairman Dan Davis called him into his office and delivered those options.
Scarborough was told his differences with Davis were linked to an economic development deal Scarborough was discussing with an existing industry in Berkeley County for a “special type of financing,” he said.
Davis could not be reached for comment. Citing confidentiality agreements, Scarborough said he could not name the company or the financial deal that had been requested. But
Scarborough said he was only relaying the company’s request to Davis, not promising any commitment. County Council would have to approval any such deals.
“As a matter of fact, I told the company that politically I thought it would not work,” Scarborough said.
Seventeen-year career
Scarborough, a Moncks Corner resident, has been with the county for 17 years, and the economic development director for all but two of those. He was hired by former County Supervisor and board Chairman Jim Rozier.
Scarborough said he was “disappointed” by the situation.
“I put a lot of time and effort in it,” he said of his work.
“I’m very proud of the fact that I can ride past these industrial parks that we’ve helped people develop and look in there and see buildings we helped people build. That’s the most gratifying thing about what I did for Berkeley County, being able to bring good jobs.”
Last year was a shining one for Berkeley County as it claimed more than 30% of total capital
investment in South Carolina.
After Google decided to invest $600 million in the county, DuPont announced it would expand its facilities to include a Kevlar production plant, also about a $600 million investment. A number of other new companies, such as Belimed Inc. on Daniel Island, also added to the windfall.
Molly Parker is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail her at mparker@scbiznews.com.
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