Berkeley County Republican Party Chairman John McGrath issued the following statement regarding reports that California Governor Gavin Newsom plans to visit Berkeley County this month:
“Governor Gavin Newsom’s visit is notable given that many families moving to Berkeley County each year are doing so to escape the policies he represents.
Berkeley County is one of the fastest growing counties in America, with roughly 8,000 new residents arriving annually. Under the leadership of our conservative County Council and Supervisor Johnny Cribb, we have built a model for responsible growth, economic opportunity, and low taxes.
Berkeley County maintains the lowest county tax rate in South Carolina, and millage has been reduced from 45 mills to 41 mills over the past eight years. Major employers including Google, Volvo, Nucor, and Newport News Shipbuilding continue investing here, alongside Project Redwood’s $3.5 billion investment.
Nearly 40 percent of recent economic development in South Carolina has occurred in Berkeley County.
At the same time, we have protected our quality of life by establishing a greenbelt program and committing $58.7 million to preserve green space.
The contrast is clear. People are not leaving South Carolina for California. They are leaving California for places like Berkeley County. Our success shows that lower taxes, conservative leadership, and responsible growth work, and our community has no interest in importing policies that have produced very different results elsewhere.”
