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Eminent Domain Attorney Spartanburg, SC

Eminent Domain Attorneys in Spartanburg, SC

Most people who buy a home and the land it sits on expect that it will be theirs for as long as they choose to reside there. They may choose to pass that home and land along to children or other family members once they pass. It's a very common scenario, but for some residents of Charleston County, it may not be possible due to a highway expansion. Once the expansion starts, these residents could actually lose their land. And while you wouldn't think such an action would be legal in America, truth is often stranger than fiction.

The newly proposed expansion on Highway 41 will expand the highway to two lanes, increasing it to a total of four lanes on most of the roadway and from two to three lanes near the Phillips Community. The project would also start construction of Laurel Hill Parkway - a two-lane road that intersects through the outskirts of Laurel Hill County Park. For the Phillips Community, which sits adjacent to the highway, it could mean the loss of residents' homes and land that have been in their families for generations.

So, what can people like those in the Phillips Community do? They don't want to lose their homes or bear the burden of significantly more traffic around them. On their own, the options can be dour. But with the help of eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC, these families can receive the just compensation they deserve.

 Abbeville Lawyer Spartanburg, SC

Understanding Eminent Domain in South Carolina

Remember that when you purchase or are given a plot of land, your property rights aren't as absolute as you may think. According to the United States Constitution, the government has the authority to take your property under specific circumstances. Essentially, your property rights are not absolute.

What's interesting is that the government's ability to take your property is actually stated in the Constitution. Even though the Constitution states that "private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation," in essence, this means the government can take your property if the intended use is valid and they compensate you fairly. The Supreme Court upheld this view in 1876, interpreting that the government had this power based on the Constitution. Eminent domain was frequently used during the construction of the nation's railroad system, often without sufficient limitations on the government.

Unfortunately, many South Carolina residents end up being on the wrong end of the cost-benefit analysis when it comes to fair compensation. That's why, if the government is trying to take your land, it's so important to get in touch with eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC, as soon as possible. That way, you have someone by your side for any legal proceedings or disputes. At Lauren Taylor Law, we have a proven track record of achieving positive outcomes for our clients in cases where the government has failed to fulfill its legal responsibilities.

How Can the Government Take Your Property?

There are typically two different ways that the government may take your property. Those include:

 Property Rights Spartanburg, SC
  • Inverse Condemnation: This happens when you must take action and declare that your property or land was taken (even though you may still own it) so that you may receive compensation.
  • Directly: This happens when the government takes explicit action to own your property.

In both scenarios, you could be forced into litigation in order to protect your rights, even though you had no plans on doing so.

The Process of Eminent Domain in South Carolina

When the government wants to acquire your land, they will typically begin by making a formal offer to buy your property. At this point, you may have the opportunity to negotiate with them. If you decide that selling your property is the best option, it's important to work towards reaching an agreement with the government on the sale price. This isn't always a straightforward process because the government may not be willing to offer you a fair amount.

To determine the price of your property, the government will have their appraiser assess the value of the property. This appraiser functions much like an adjuster for an insurance company, many of whom offer lowball pricing. You should know that you have the right to hire your own appraiser to determine an independent valuation. This is often the best course of action if you're considering selling to the government.

If you choose not to sell to the government, they may proceed by filing a lawsuit to initiate the condemnation process. At this point, you can challenge the taking itself by working with eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC. You can also ask the court to determine the fair market value of the property if the government's valuation is lower than what you believe is fair.

Limits to Eminent Domain in South Carolina

While the government can use its power to take your land, there are limits on its ability to do so. Namely:

  • The government must pay landowners a fair market price for their property.
  • The land the government takes must be for public use.

As such, there are two reasons why you can sue the government as part of an eminent domain case:

  • The government won't compensate you fairly for your property.
  • The government is taking your land but not for public use.

Given the history of these cases, you can never trust the government to act fairly. Why? Because local officials often have interests in such matters, and your rights are getting in their way. Sometimes, the only viable route you have is to lawyer up and fight the case in court.

The Process of Eminent Domain in South Carolina

When the government wants to acquire your land, they will typically begin by making a formal offer to buy your property. At this point, you may have the opportunity to negotiate with them. If you decide that selling your property is the best option, it's important to work towards reaching an agreement with the government on the sale price. This isn't always a straightforward process because the government may not be willing to offer you a fair amount.

To determine the price of your property, the government will have their appraiser assess the value of the property. This appraiser functions much like an adjuster for an insurance company, many of whom offer lowball pricing. You should know that you have the right to hire your own appraiser to determine an independent valuation. This is often the best course of action if you're considering selling to the government.

If you choose not to sell to the government, they may proceed by filing a lawsuit to initiate the condemnation process. At this point, you can challenge the taking itself by working with eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC. You can also ask the court to determine the fair market value of the property if the government's valuation is lower than what you believe is fair.

Limits to Eminent Domain in South Carolina

While the government can use its power to take your land, there are limits on its ability to do so. Namely:

  • The government must pay landowners a fair market price for their property.
  • The land the government takes must be for public use.

As such, there are two reasons why you can sue the government as part of an eminent domain case:

  • The government won't compensate you fairly for your property.
  • The government is taking your land but not for public use.

Given the history of these cases, you can never trust the government to act fairly. Why? Because local officials often have interests in such matters, and your rights are getting in their way. Sometimes, the only viable route you have is to lawyer up and fight the case in court.

What Constitutes "Public Use" of Your Land in South Carolina?

Landowners commonly contest whether the taking is genuinely for public use. There are constraints on the government's actions and the reasons for which they can seize your land. The interpretation of these terms by the courts often favors the government. "Public use" does not simply mean that your property would be open to the general public. Instead, the term is more akin to "for the benefit of the public."

Historically, the government expropriated private lands for projects such as bridges and highways. Numerous legal battles arose during the period when the nation was constructing its railroad system. In these instances, the courts typically interpreted "public use" more broadly.

Some of the most common reasons why government landtaking is upheld include the building of structures like:

  • Pipelines
  • Highways
  • Public Buildings
  • Utilities
  • Railroads and Transit Lines
 Legal Compensation Spartanburg, SC
court

These are the more "traditional" uses of eminent domain, where the public use would be less in question. However, the law also permits certain utilities to wield the power of eminent domain. For instance, in a recent case in South Carolina, Dominion Energy was granted the authority to acquire homes in order to construct an energy pipeline.

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Regrettably, governments have historically tended to misuse this authority, and some courts have even condoned such actions. As an example, courts in Toledo, Ohio, allowed 83 homes to be taken from residents in order to construct a manufacturing plant for Chrysler, which said the plant would create jobs for the public.

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If the government is trying to take your land, you should never give up on your property. By working with eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC, you may be able to stop them by challenging the taking itself. You can also challenge the purpose of the taking and argue that the reason for "public use" is really for private use.

Partial and Easement Taking of Your Land in South Carolina

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Many people worry about the government taking over their entire piece of land. However, in some cases, the government may not need all your property and might not want to compensate you for it. They may only require a portion of your land.

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In such instances, the government not only has to pay you for the part of the land they are taking, but they also have to compensate for the decreased value of the remaining land that you still own. Additionally, the government may seek to obtain an easement on your land through eminent domain. This easement could be for utilities or access to another area. Once again, the government must compensate you for the land taken and for the reduction in value of the rest of your property.

 Property Dispute Spartanburg, SC

Under Eminent Domain, You Must Be Paid Fair Market Value

In essence, fair market value represents the amount a willing buyer would offer to a seller for their property. While this concept seems straightforward, applying fair market value in reality can be quite challenging. In many instances, negotiating with the government may be necessary to receive proper compensation for your land. Just like any negotiator, the government typically begins with a low offer and anticipates a counteroffer from you to reach a mutual agreement. Rarely does the government present its best offer right from the start.

 Eminent Domain Claim Spartanburg, SC

Several valuations may be considered to determine your property's fair market value:

The amount of income your property could have produced

Comparison of sales to other similar properties in the area that were recently sold (there could be disagreements pertaining to what is comparable)

The amount of money it would cost to replace your property (and the structures built on it) minus depreciation

In reality, during a trial, both you and the government would have valuation experts testify. First, you'd have to choose the relevant valuation, which the government might dispute. Then, you'd need to apply the appropriate valuation method. There might be a significant difference between your numbers and the government's.

However, even if you couldn't prevent the seizure of the property, many have successfully challenged the government's valuation of their property. Property owners have compelled the government to pay more, and our team of eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC, has represented many of them in the legal process over the years.

How the Government Condemns Your Land with Its Actions

  • The government may not need to attempt to seize your land to potentially owe you money. There are situations where government actions could prevent you from using your land. In many ways, the government has the authority to dictate how you can use your property. They can enact laws and zoning regulations that limit your property usage. To constitute a regulatory taking, the government's actions must completely prevent you from using your land for any economic purpose.
  • The government may have a valid justification for its regulations. However, when it comes to compensating you for your land, the government's intentions are irrelevant. What matters is the impact the regulation has on your land usage.
  • In addition to regulatory taking, the government may take your land if its actions have caused damage to your property. For example, a neighboring construction project could have flooded your property. They might have trespassed on your land, either temporarily or permanently. This type of taking is referred to as a "de facto" taking, and the government still needs to compensate you when it happens.

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What Should You Do if Your Land Can Be Taken by the Government?

Typically, you'll receive notice regarding the potential acquisition of your property through a letter. But if you're like the residents of the Phillips Community, you might have already heard murmurs that something might happen to your land. If you suspect or find out that the government plans to take your land through eminent domain, you need the help of seasoned eminent domain attorneys in Spartanburg, SC, right away.

The truth is that the government can be just as challenging to deal with as an insurance company. Despite your constitutional rights, they might try to conceal information or offer far less compensation than your property is worth.

In an eminent domain lawsuit, you're essentially challenging the government. While some courts might show some level of deference to the government, they are not given free rein to do as they please. It's within your rights to stand up and contest the government's actions if they violate your rights. But to fight back effectively, your best bet is to work with an eminent domain lawyer from Lauren Taylor Law.

Your attorney will assess the best legal approach for your case, which could involve suing the government or vigorously defending against their lawsuit. You could also negotiate compensation, either before or after the case goes to court.

 Abbeville Law Firm Spartanburg, SC

Top 3 Reasons to Hire an Eminent Domain Lawyer in South Carolina

If you receive notice that your property is being targeted for eminent domain action, also known as condemnation, it's important to seek advice from an eminent domain attorney. Many people won't reach out to a lawyer when dealing with this kind of legal issue because they:

  • Mistakenly believe that the government has their best interests at heart and will actually offer fair compensation
  • Feel intimidated and believe they must cooperate
  • Believe that the taking of their land is really for "public good."

Unfortunately, these assumptions are rarely, if ever, true. In fact, you may actually be more vulnerable and at risk than you originally thought. This misunderstanding illustrates exactly why you should enlist the services of a reputable eminent domain attorney. With the assistance of a legal expert who is well-versed in South Carolina eminent domain law, property owners can safeguard their rights and secure maximum compensation.

Here are the top three ways an eminent domain lawyer can help:

Compensation

1. Help You Get Just Compensation

It's important to keep in mind that the initial offer from the government for your property is often the lowest amount they think they can get away with. This rarely represents the full and fair compensation you deserve. An attorney has the expertise and resources to ensure that you receive proper compensation for the value of your property, including relocation expenses and more.

In some instances, an eminent domain attorney may be able to secure a higher amount than what the government is proposing. The eminent domain lawyers at Lauren Taylor Law are dedicated to safeguarding your rights and protecting your property

Rights

2. Help You Understand Your Rights

Government agencies are not permitted to simply take any property they desire. According to the 5th Amendment, they must prove that the condemnation is genuinely for public use and meets other specific criteria. You have the right to demand that the state fulfill these criteria before seizing your property. Plus, if only a portion of your property is necessary to complete the project, you have the right to safeguard the ownership of the remaining part of your property.

Complicated

3. Provide Guidance Through the Complicated Process of Eminent Domain in South Carolina

Eminent domain cases and their related laws can be quite intricate and overwhelming for the average property owner. You shouldn't be expected to grasp all the technical terms, and you certainly shouldn't be penalized for not fully understanding the process. That's why having an experienced eminent domain lawyer by your side is valuable on many levels. A skilled eminent domain attorney will assist you through each stage in plain language that you can grasp. With an eminent domain attorney advocating for you throughout your case to safeguard your rights, you stand a better chance of receiving the compensation you rightfully deserve.

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Eminent Domain Attorneys in Spartanburg, SC Fighting for Your Rights

If the government takes your property or prevents you from using it, you have the right to file a lawsuit. The law provides you with the opportunity to stand on equal ground with our government, allowing your lawyer to advocate for your rights in court.

At Lauren Taylor Law, our eminent domain lawyers step in so you don't get pushed around. Our goal is to fight the government on your behalf, so you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to learn more about eminent domain in South Carolina and how our firm can help.

Latest News in Spartanburg, SC

Potential measles exposure reported at Costco, Upstate college, more churches

GREENVILLE, S.C. —Health officials in South Carolina are reporting possible measles exposure at Costco, Spartanburg Community College, as well as additional churches.The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 11 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 973.(Video above: Greenville woman vaccinated at birth receives negative measles immunity test, SCDPH responds) The...

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

Health officials in South Carolina are reporting possible measles exposure at Costco, Spartanburg Community College, as well as additional churches.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 11 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 973.

(Video above: Greenville woman vaccinated at birth receives negative measles immunity test, SCDPH responds)

There are currently 105 people in quarantine and seven in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is March 15.

Based on the new cases, DPH has identified public exposures at Mabry Middle School (number of individuals in quarantine to be determined). Additionally, individuals remain in quarantine from Libertas Academy (17 individuals in quarantine) and Inman Intermediate (fewer than 5 individuals in quarantine).

DPH has identified multiple locations where exposures to infectious measles have occurred. DPH has defined the times of potential exposure at the following locations:

The risk of exposure in the locations is limited to the specific dates and times announced. Once that time frame has passed, the location is not an ongoing risk for measles exposure. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time. These locations are not a source of ongoing exposure, and businesses and locations identified are not responsible for a person with measles having been present.

People who were exposed at Spartanburg Community College and Costco, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through March 10. Those exposed at Tabernacle of Salvation should monitor for symptoms through March 8, and those exposed at Westgate Baptist Church should monitor for symptoms through March 4.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.

In response to the ongoing measles outbreak in the Upstate, DPH will activate its Mobile Health Unit to offer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination to the public at no cost on Friday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 570 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg.

To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit our dedicated webpage here. For additional data related to the outbreak, visit our Measles Dashboard.

As the tax break deal unraveled, Spartanburg data center pitched grid upgrades

SPARTANBURG — Ahead of a 3 p.m. press conference by local and state leaders that likely scuttled TigerDC’s proposed data center, the company pitched its power plan and made the case that it won’t pressure the power grid or cause rate increases.Two members of County Council confirmed at the Feb. 26 press conference that the body plans to deny tax incentives to the data center, known as Project Spero. The company says the data center will go elsewhere without those property tax breaks.TigerDC, which already owns...

SPARTANBURG — Ahead of a 3 p.m. press conference by local and state leaders that likely scuttled TigerDC’s proposed data center, the company pitched its power plan and made the case that it won’t pressure the power grid or cause rate increases.

Two members of County Council confirmed at the Feb. 26 press conference that the body plans to deny tax incentives to the data center, known as Project Spero. The company says the data center will go elsewhere without those property tax breaks.

TigerDC, which already owns a bitcoin mining operation in the area, said in a press release it will fund all grid upgrades necessary for the project. The company said it expects to use 100 megawatts of electricity during the first phase buildout, scheduled to be complete by the end of 2027.

Of that, half will come from Lockhart Power and the other will come from on-site natural gas generators, the company said. In an email, spokesperson Sarah Curran said the project may actually prevent a rate increase by funding necessary grid upgrades.

“Project Spero will pay any and all costs of enhancing the grid as needed to serve its load, as well as all costs to provide electric service to the project,” Lockhart Power President Bryan Stone said in a press release. “Furthermore, the project’s rates will include a component that benefits the rest of Lockhart Power’s customers, for example by offsetting costs to replace older lines and other power infrastructure.”

It plans to use a closed-loop water cooling method with an initial water fill of 500,000 gallons.

A possible expansion in 2028 would call for 150 megawatts of electricity use, with 100 megawatts generated on site, and 750,000 gallons of water. Curran said in an email that the company would “fund 100% of all power capacity expansions.”

The data center could ultimately use 250 megawatts of power on the existing site, using its own gas-generated power and grid power. A full buildout of the data center campus — which would require additional land — would result in a 400 megawatt load, Curran said.

During his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, President Donald Trump said he’d planned an executive order requiring data centers to generate their own energy.

“Major technology companies building large-scale AI data centers will be required to provide their own power. They will build their own power plants,” Trump said. “We are not going to let these facilities drain our public grid and drive up residential rates. In some cases, surrounding communities may even see lower electricity costs.”

In a press release, the company said it was committed to living up to the spirit of Trump’s proposal.

“As an American entrepreneur and a proud U.S. citizen, I believe we have a responsibility to build the infrastructure that powers our country’s future without placing additional burdens on American families,” TigerDC CEO Jerry Tang said in a press release. “From day one, Project Spero was designed to expand energy supply, invest in dedicated infrastructure, and protect local ratepayers while strengthening America’s leadership in artificial intelligence.”

Federal regulators in December nixed a proposed 200 megawatt Duke Energy transmission line — an upgrade that would allow Lockhart Power to service the data center. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reasoned that because Duke wasn’t charging Lockhart enough money for the project, existing customers could have had to bear some of the cost. The Commission stressed that Duke and Lockhart provided too little information on how it would pay for the project.

There are concerns the company hasn’t addressed, however.

For example, closed-loop water cooling systems have to be flushed on occasion, and the used water is often highly contaminated. It’s unclear whether the company will monitor the water quality or take steps to safely dispose of used water, and Curran didn’t offer any details in response to a question.

It’s also unclear how loud the on-site generators will be and what steps the company is taking to mitigate noise pollution.

Perhaps the biggest hurdles are County Council and state legislators. Council voted 5-2 on second reading to approve a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for the company, which would lower its property tax rate from 10.5 percent to 4 percent.

But Council Chairperson Manning Lynch — who had had already said he would vote against the tax breaks on third reading — said council will meet Feb. 27 and formally deny the project’s FILOT request. Curran said without the tax abatement, the company wouldn’t come to Spartanburg, although it would be open to looking at other places in South Carolina.

There are two bills in the state Legislature designed to regulate data centers, and a resolution was filed on Feb. 25 to ban all new data centers until January 2028.

Grant DeShields, a county councilmember who voted against the project on second reading, said he had a lot of concerns about the project’s finances, environmental impact and how it would affect the power grid. He said he doesn't plan to change his vote.

“I voted my conscience and what I thought my constituents wanted,” he said.

Century Complete Announces New Townhomes Coming Soon to Spartanburg, SC Community

New community expands Spartanburg-area offerings from online homebuying leader SPARTANBURG, S.C. , Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)—a top national homebuilder, industry leader in online home sales, and featured on America's Most Trustworthy Companies and World's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek—revealed that its Century Complete brand will soon be selling at the Company's newest Spartanburg community, Ellison Townhomes.In addition to quality and affordable new construction, t...

New community expands Spartanburg-area offerings from online homebuying leader

SPARTANBURG, S.C. , Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)—a top national homebuilder, industry leader in online home sales, and featured on America's Most Trustworthy Companies and World's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek—revealed that its Century Complete brand will soon be selling at the Company's newest Spartanburg community, Ellison Townhomes.

In addition to quality and affordable new construction, this modern townhome community is designed for low-maintenance living. Future residents will also love amenities like community walking trails, a playground, a dog park, access to open space, and convenient proximity to the Daniel Morgan Trail System (known as "The Dan") and Downtown Spartanburg.

Join the Interest List for Grand Opening updates and more: www.CenturyCommunities.com/EllisonTownhomesSC

"Featuring quality, affordable, and low-maintenance townhomes in a prime Spartanburg location, this new community has a lot to offer," said Cliff Niederpruem, Regional President. "Sales will start soon and opportunities are limited, so it's an ideal time to join our interest list and ensure you're the first to know about available homes and special offers."

ELLISON TOWNHOMES | SPARTANBURG, SC Coming soon from the low $200s

Community Location 4010 Chessgrove Way Spartanburg, SC 29307864.509.9195

VISIT OUR SALES STUDIO

While our state-of-the-art online homebuying process allows you to buy on your terms—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—we also offer in-person assistance from local experts at our Upstate Sales Studio.

Upstate Studio 1401 Woodruff Road, Suite BGreenville, SC 29615864.509.9195

THE FREEDOM OF ONLINE HOMEBUYING

Century Complete is proud to feature its industry-first online homebuying experience on all available homes in South Carolina, allowing homebuyers to easily find their best fit and purchase when they're ready—all while continuing to work with their local real estate agent of choice. Homebuyers can further streamline the homebuying process by financing online with Century Complete's affiliate lender, Inspire Home Loans®.

How it works:

Learn more about the Buy Online experience at www.CenturyCommunities.com/online-homebuying.

About Century Communities Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is one of the nation's largest homebuilders and a recognized industry leader in online home sales. Newsweek has named the Company one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies for three consecutive years. Century Communities has also been designated as one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Companies to Work For (2025–2026). Through its Century Communities and Century Complete brands, Century's mission is to build attractive, high-quality homes at affordable prices to provide its valued customers with A HOME FOR EVERY DREAM®. Century is engaged in all aspects of homebuilding — including the acquisition, entitlement and development of land, along with the construction, innovative marketing and sale of quality homes designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The Company operates in 16 states and over 45 markets across the U.S., and also offers mortgage, title, insurance brokerage, and escrow services in select markets through its Inspire Home Loans, Parkway Title, IHL Home Insurance Agency, and IHL Escrow subsidiaries. To learn more about Century Communities, please visit www.centurycommunities.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/century-complete-announces-new-townhomes-coming-soon-to-spartanburg-sc-community-302697310.html

SOURCE Century Communities, Inc.

Another potential measles exposure at Spartanburg Costco

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting six new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 985.There are currently 61 people in quarantine and two in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is March 20.Based on the new cases, DPH has identified public exposures at Sugar Ridge Elementary (fewer than five individuals in quarantine). Additionally, individuals remain in quarantine from Libertas Academy (17 i...

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting six new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 985.

There are currently 61 people in quarantine and two in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is March 20.

Based on the new cases, DPH has identified public exposures at Sugar Ridge Elementary (fewer than five individuals in quarantine). Additionally, individuals remain in quarantine from Libertas Academy (17 individuals in quarantine), Willow Creek Gathers Homeschool Co-op (17 individuals in quarantine) and Mabry Middle School (fewer than five individuals in quarantine).

DPH has identified a new public location where exposures to infectious measles have occurred. DPH has defined the time of potential exposure at the following location:

The risk of exposure in these locations is limited to the specific dates and times announced. Once that time frame has passed, the location is not an ongoing risk for measles exposure. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time. These locations are not a source of ongoing exposure, and businesses and locations identified are not responsible for a person with measles having been present.

People who were exposed at Costco, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through March 15.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.

DPH has received requests for Mobile Health Unit services to offer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination and has scheduled an event provide MMR vaccines to the public at no cost on Tuesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 570 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg.

To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit our dedicated webpage here. For additional data related to the outbreak, visit our Measles Dashboard.

Outbreak Data PointsAge breakdown of 985 cases:Under 5: 2585-17: 63318+: 85Unknown: 9

Vaccination status:919 unvaccinated, 19 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 26 vaccinated with the two-dose MMR sequence, and 21 unknown.

TigerDC won’t build $3B data center after Spartanburg leaders sour on tax break offer

SPARTANBURG — In the wake of local officials pulling support for steep property tax cuts amid a public uproar, TigerDC has decided not to build a $3 billion data center in Spartanburg County.“Project Spero remains appreciative of the time and engagement shown by County Council, staff, and community members during this review,” the company stated in a Feb. 27 press release. “Major infrastructure investments require alignment among stakeholders, and Project Spero recognizes that alignment ultimately has not been ...

SPARTANBURG — In the wake of local officials pulling support for steep property tax cuts amid a public uproar, TigerDC has decided not to build a $3 billion data center in Spartanburg County.

“Project Spero remains appreciative of the time and engagement shown by County Council, staff, and community members during this review,” the company stated in a Feb. 27 press release. “Major infrastructure investments require alignment among stakeholders, and Project Spero recognizes that alignment ultimately has not been achieved.”

The announcement came two hours before a Feb. 27 county council vote against offering a property tax abatement to the company.

“We’re thrilled with this no vote by our County Council,” said Eric Allison, a retired Spartanburg native who started the No Data Centers in Spartanburg Facebook page to give a voice to folks concerned about Spero and other projects.

“That’s what we wanted all along, was for our elected representatives to hear the voices of the people that elected them and then vote accordingly to the residents’ wishes,” Allison said.

Councilmember Monier Abusaft, who voted to approve the deal on second reading, said he was personally comfortable with the data center and didn’t believe it would have any adverse effects.

But he said the community opposition and the state’s ongoing debate over data center regulations were the determining factors that caused County Council back off from the project. He said the statewide debate would give people a chance to get more information on data centers from trustworthy sources.

“Obviously, they’re safe because we’ve already approved some,” Abusaft said. “Nobody’s walking around here with two heads. The water’s going to be clean. But when people are distrustful, sometimes, local government just needs to say ‘Let’s stop and let them get as comfortable as we are.’ ”

Spartanburg County Council in November passed the first of three readings of an ordinance to give the company a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement that would lower its property tax rate from 10.5 percent down to 4 percent for the next 40 years.

On Jan. 8 and 9, members of the council’s economic development committee met with TigerDC CEO Jerry Tang and his project team, county spokesperson Scottie Kay Blackwell said. They also formally pledged to Spartanburg County Council that the project would comply with any state or federal data center regulations.

Council tabled a planned second reading over community concerns, but on Jan. 27, TigerDC announced in a news release that it was coming to Spartanburg. That announcement tried to ease worries about power and water usage.

As it announced its withdrawal, TigerDC said its team had “worked diligently and in good faith” to provide extensive documentation and public clarification regarding the facility’s design — stressing that Project Spero uses a closed-loop cooling system with negligible water impact and a self-contained power strategy they said was designed to avoid strain on the local residential grid.

Council Chair Manning Lynch said he met with Tang once for about 45 minutes as part of the vetting process.

At county leadership’s request, the developer also publicly launched the TigerDC brand and identified the company well in advance of final FILOT approval — an unusual move during a confidential economic development process.

“TigerDC has operated responsibly in Spartanburg County since 2022 and remains proud of our existing presence here,” the press release stated. “Project Spero represented a significant private investment that would have generated substantial long-term tax revenue while strengthening America’s leadership in AI and advanced computing. TigerDC will now focus our efforts on communities that are ready to move forward with this type of infrastructure.”

On Feb. 16, in the face of raucous opposition from the community, environmental advocates and local power player The Johnson Group, council passed second reading of the ordinance anyway, with Paul Abbott and Grant DeShields voting no.

A week later — as the Facebook groups swelled, the petition signatures increased and a website called stopprojectspero.com went live — the fractures deepened.

Lynch and Abusaft, who’d both voted yes on second reading, announced they would vote no on third reading, resulting in a hypothetical 4-3 vote against the FILOT. Without the deal, county officials said, the company wouldn’t set up shop.

On Feb. 26, councilmembers held a news conference flanked by state legislators where they announced their intention to vote against the FILOT and let the state take the lead in regulating data centers.

As it announced the project’s end, the company said it was “deeply grateful to the local business leaders, community partners, technical experts, and residents who engaged thoughtfully throughout this process.”

“Our commitment to building secure, responsible digital infrastructure that supports American innovation and national competitiveness remains unchanged,” TigerDC said.

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