NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Around South Carolina, military bases that are no longer in use are being transformed into new projects for the whole community.

Those developments are getting a new tool to help that happen while creating more affordable places to live in some of South Carolina’s fastest-growing areas.

“This tax increment funding that our legislature has made available is opening a lot of doors,” Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday.

McMaster joined state lawmakers and local leaders to mark the implementation of a new state law, gathering inside what used to be a storehouse aboard the former Charleston Naval Base in North Charleston. The military base was once South Carolina’s largest civilian employer, but since its closure in 1996, there has been work to give the area new life.

The former base site is part of a tax increment financing, or TIF, district, which local governments use to invest in infrastructure improvements in run-down or abandoned areas. Then they pay it off from increased property tax revenues that result from that redevelopment.

“The revenue that’s generated from taxes can be reinvested right in the same community, accelerate the expansion, accelerate the development, and help them achieve some of the long-term goals a little faster,” Sen. Sean Bennett, R – Dorchester, said.

This new law now allows the tax revenues in TIFs at old military base sites to be used to build affordable housing.

“This law sets the redevelopment of a former Navy base on a new path, one that strengthens our connection to the military, supports new infrastructure, and creates opportunities that will benefit families, businesses, and communities across South Carolina,” North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess said.

The change, which has been in effect since July 1, applies to the three former military base TIFs in South Carolina, two of which are in some of the state’s fastest-growing areas, at the Charleston Naval Base Complex and the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, along with the Savannah River Site Redevelopment Authority.

But state leaders said this change will also help South Carolina more broadly.

“Anytime the Charleston area grows, it generates more revenue, ultimately more tax revenue, growth, that’s always going to help the other communities. Hopefully spread out some concentration of tourism and housing and those sorts of things,” Bennett said.

The new law also allows defense operations that are still located at the former naval base site to be moved to a different, secure location in the Lowcountry.

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A former North Charleston City councilman, who is facing charges from a corruption probe, has entered a guilty plea.

Mike A. Brown was one of three North Charleston City councilmembers who were charged in a February corruption probe.

Brown, along with his attorney, state representative Todd Rutherford, appeared in federal court downtown on Monday. Brown withdrew his initial not guilty plea to guilty in pursuit of a plea agreement.

Brown agreed to partially appeal his right to oppose or appeal the plea agreement for post-conviction rights.

Brown pleaded guilty to one count of charges with conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud.

The maximum charge is imprisonment for up to five years. The ex-councilman will receive a sentencing at a later date.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI described the five others who were also charged as associates in the corruption investigation.

Court documents detail that Brown and former North Charleston Councilman Jerome Heyward, along with boat company lobbyist Aaron Hicks, were named for allegedly conspiring to solicit kickbacks in exchange for their influence on a critical rezoning vote.

Court Documents detail that the rezoning vote was related to a Berkeley County boating manufacturing company listed as ‘Company A’.

Documents detail the FBI’s interception of the phone calls of former councilmember Jerome Heyward’s cell phone communications starting on April 17.

Brown was involved in intercepted conversations of the company paying money to Brown. Brown received at least $1,000 in cash before April 18.

Documents also allege intercepted phone calls found Brown needed the money to help with his son’s wedding expenses.

Gov. Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2025-09, suspending Brown from office until he is formally acquitted, convicted, or a successor is elected and qualifies as provided by law, whichever comes first.

Brown resigned from his seat on the city council on Oct. 16.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - School and district officials are planning a year of events to celebrate the centennial for North Charleston High School.

One of the projects will include an archives room that will house memorabilia and artifacts related to the school’s history.

Charleston County School District Superintendent Anita Huggins thanked the school’s staff and its principal, Henry Darby, for the academic progress the school’s students have made.

“North Charleston High School has made meaningful gains in recent years in academic growth, in college and career readiness, in the graduation rate and in a confidence and pride of the students that it readies for the future,” Huggins said. “We have work to do, but we are so proud of everything that has been accomplished by this great team, because it’s not easy.”

Darby said the school’s graduates are among the top talent within the nation. He said the milestone represents the continuation of the legacy and shows that the school is still relevant.

“Who would have thought 100 years ago that this school would still be standing?” he said. “At North CHarleston High School, even though we have various mission statements and values and whatnot, but our ultimate goal in North Charleston School is to produce productive citizens.”

He referred to a quotation engraved into the school building: “Education is a possession of which man cannot be robbed.”

“With that and the totality of that statement, that’s what makes the school a good school to live up to this statement,” he said.

Huggins credited Darby’s leadership, retelling stories of his working part-time three days a week at an area Walmart to help his students in need.

“He even walked to work for three weeks because he’d given his car to a staff member whose vehicle had broken down,” she said. “That kind of servant leadership is very rare. It speaks volumes about his heart, his integrity and his belief that every student deserves a chance in this world to succeed.”

Darby’s selfless act of working a part-time job gained national attention and Gov. Henry McMaster presented him with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in South Carolina, in 2021.

The school is asking graduates to donate to the Archives room. Darby said the school recently made contact with a Colorado woman whose grand-grand-aunt graduated from the school. They sent the graduation program as well as her school ring, which he called one of the most cherished items in the archives. He said representatives from the school’s Class of 1962 provided a drape of that year’s basketball championship team.

The archives will also include volumes of yearbooks dating back to 1928.

Work is underway on a timeline of the school’s history and interviews are being conducted of past graduates about the school’s legacy.

CHARLESTON, S.C.— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is pleased to announce the opening of a new Global Entry Enrollment Center in the Low Country region of South Carolina at Charleston International Airport. This new center will expand access to the Trusted Traveler Program for international travelers. With this addition, CBP now operates three Global Entry Enrollment Centers in the Southeast region, providing greater convenience for individuals seeking to complete their Global Entry enrollment process.

The newly opened Global Entry location is:

Hours: Monday - Friday. 10a.m. – 2 p.m.

This new center joins the existing operational Global Entry Enrollment Centers located in:

“The demand for the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program continues to grow”, said Gregory Alveraz, CBP Atlanta Director of Field Operations. “This new enrollment center in Charleston reflects CBP’s commitment to improving accessibility and convenience for travelers in the Southeast region. We are proud to offer this service to help streamline international travel for our Trusted Traveler members.”

Enrollment appointments at Charleston International Airport are now available for booking. To schedule your Global Entry interview, use the official TTP website at https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/scheduler and book an appointment at the preferred enrollment center.

Reminder – Applicants must bring their current passport, driver's license and proof of residency to their interview.

Global Entry is a CBP Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. All applicants undergo rigorous and recurring background checks and complete an in-person interview before enrollment. Global Entry is available at major U.S. Airports and Preclearance locations with reduced wait times and no paperwork. Members can use automated kiosks at select airports to bypass traditional customs processing lines.

Follow X @CBPSoutheast and the director of CBP’s Atlanta Field Office on X and Instagram at @DFOAtlanta for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and visual imagery.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

CHARLESTON — An aerospace industry supplier is looking to bring 55 jobs to North Charleston — or two other cities where Boeing Co. is a dominant employer.

Charleston County Council's finance committee recently reviewed a package of potential tax incentives for an overseas-based business identified by the code name "Project OPF." The company plans to invest about $5.8 million to set up its first U.S. location.

The jobs would pay an average of about $76,600.

“If selected, the … site would position 'Project OPF' in close proximity to Boeing's existing operations in North Charleston, strengthening an already robust aerospace ecosystem in the region,” according to a summary of the incentive package. “The company cited Charleston’s strategic location, strong workforce pipeline and growing reputation as an aerospace hub as key factors in its site selection process.”

Merle Johnson, the county’s economic development director, described the overseas prospect on Aug. 21 as ”a major tier-one supplier to Boeing,” which builds the 787 Dreamliner next to Charleston International Airport and is investing $1 billion to increase production.

The incentives include an agreement that would lock the mystery company’s property tax bill at a fixed rate for 20 years, resulting in about $960,317 in revenue for schools and other public agencies over that period. The business also could be reimbursed up to $76,000 for certain expenses tied to its investment.

The county said the company has looked at other locations in the U.S., with North Charleston "emerging as a front-runner” beside St. Louis and Seattle.

“'Project OPF' will serve as a final assemblies site for major commercial aerospace projects" and play "a key role in supporting" Boeing's local 787 program and its 777 operation in Everett, Wash., according to the summary.

The supplier will be identified by name before elected officials vote on the incentive agreement for the third and final time.

Among other questions, councilman Larry Kobrovsky asked last week exactly where the company is headquartered, but he didn't get an answer. He and chairman Kylon Middleton were outvoted in opposing the incentives on Aug. 26.