Rants & Raves: Why does business leave Beaufort County?
Readers react to the news that Parker Hannifin, one of northern Beaufort County's larger employers and one of a few tenants left in the Beaufort Commerce Park, is closing.
Maybe they should ask other local business owners why so many are leaving or possibly why so few open? As a small-business owner, I have learned so much and have had to overcome obstacles that most shouldn't or wouldn't, just in order to open/keep my small business in Beaufort. Just like all other business owners, big and small, I employ local people, I support local charities, I provide a local experience for the many tourists that visit our area. A large chain can't and won't do that. We do. There are serious conversations that need to be had to make Beaufort more business-friendly. Those who oppose growth and industry oppose the health and success of a local economy. Every day, young women talk to me about having to leave Beaufort to find a job. Smart, incredible young talent having to leave a place they love just to make their way in the world. Hopefully the powers that be will wake up; hopefully the support system will reevaluate their approach and hopefully the citizens of Beaufort will want more for their town and their way of life. Without business, without jobs, we may find ourselves without the locals. Cherimie Crane Weatherford
Beaufort doesn't have much to offer these companies. Manufacturing companies all over are slow (contrary to what the federal government will have you believe). Big companies get special federal deals and small ones get crushed by regulation. It's not what Beaufort is doing wrong, it's what the federal government is doing wrong. Now it may be that some local person is keeping certain businesses out, and that is idiotic; but as for large businesses closing or moving to cheaper and cheaper facilities, that is a product of over-regulation. Philip Klinck
Seems we are the only county losing jobs while every single other county is gaining them. Just how bad does the county have to be to drive business to California? Nobody is moving their business to California. Chris Wilson
Ugh. At the rate we're going, pretty soon all that will be left are the many wonderful, small, family-owned independent businesses. Can they provide enough for future growth and jobs for our children so they don't have to move away after school? Gene Brancho
This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 9:06 PM with the headline "Rants & Raves: Why does business leave Beaufort County?."