Commissioner Hugh Weathers and other officials joined farmers Travis and Misty Howard in breaking ground July 29, 2024, on a new beef processing facility that officials said will expand opportunities for South Carolina farmers and address the demand for local beef.

The Howards are building the new Knockout Butchery facility off Walnut Grove Road near Roebuck, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County.

The facility will support between seven and 10 new jobs and will have the capacity to process up to 35 head of cattle per week, according to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA).

The Howards, who operate a facility in Pauline, say the new facility will quadruple their processing capacity. After the new facility opens, they plan to convert their existing facility to process pork and poultry.

In addition to beef cuts, Knockout will offer custom smoked products like summer sausage, snack sticks, and jerky.

The Howards intend for the new plant to be a USDA-inspected facility, which mean products made there could be sold to both in-state and out-of-state customers.

“This facility is being built by farmers, for farmers,” Travis Howard said. “Our customer base has stood behind us for the past seven years and that gave us the strength and trust to go forward with all of this.”

The Howards’ $2.6 million investment is supported by a $600,000 grant from the SCDA.

The new Knockout Butchery facility is one of seven beef processing projects receiving funding as part of a round of $3.4 million in grants announced in March 2023.

“More than 700 farmers in South Carolina raise beef, and the Knockout project will allow more of them to raise their animals to maturity and have them processed in the state, thus keeping more dollars in our economy,” Weathers said. “Travis and Misty are carving a bright future for agribusiness in South Carolina.”

A 2022 economic impact study commissioned by SCDA found that there is significant unmet demand for local agricultural products in South Carolina.

Officials said Covid-era supply chain disruptions also highlighted the need to decentralize meat processing.

Expanding small processing in South Carolina will create more opportunities for small, in-state facilities to serve the state’s farmers and consumers, the officials said.

The new Knockout Butchery facility will incorporate a storefront as well as a venue for butchery and agriculture education.

“Our goal is to keep the younger population interested in where their food comes from, and in farming and agriculture in general,” Misty Howard said. “We're very excited for what the future holds for us, as well as the hard work we're willing to put in to give the best service to our farmers and our customers.”

South Carolina’s 2024 Tax Free Weekend Kicks Off Friday, Aug. 2

The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) reminds shoppers that computers, clothes, school supplies, and a variety of other school-year essentials can be purchased without paying Sales Tax during South Carolina's annual 72-hour Tax Free Weekend, starting Aug. 2.

"As inflation continues to drain many wallets, this year's Tax Free Weekend offers some relief for weary families," said SCDOR Director Hartley Powell. “Every shopper saves money during this tax holiday, particularly on back-to-school essentials."

Here’s what you need to know about Tax Free Weekend:

The 2024 Tax Free Weekend, also called the Sales Tax Holiday, is Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4. 

Eligible items can be purchased online and in-store without paying the state's 6 percent sales tax and any applicable local taxes during the weekend. 

Tax-free items include computers, printers, diapers, earbuds and headphones, purses, printers, shoes, and certain bed and bath items. Eligible items can be new or used and are eligible regardless of price. 

Items that are not exempt from sales tax during Tax Free Weekend include digital cameras, smartphones, jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, and furniture.

Tax Free Weekend started in 2000. It was created by the South Carolina Legislature and is outlined in SC Code Section 12-36-2120(57).

Last year, South Carolina shoppers bought more than $30.4 million in tax-free items during Tax Free Weekend. Shoppers saved more than $1.8 million in sales tax.

Information for Retailers:

All retailers who sell eligible items participate in the Tax Free Weekend and cannot collect sales tax from their customers on eligible purchases.

Sales of eligible tax-free items during Tax Free Weekend should be reported and taken as a deduction on August sales tax returns (due in September).

For tips on filing your sales tax return on MyDORWAY, check out a video tutorial.

For more information

For a detailed list of tax-free items, shopping lists, and FAQs, go to dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend.

Review Revenue Ruling #19-4 for FAQs and Information Letter #24-7 for a complete list of exempt and non-exempt items.

If you feel like you were charged sales tax on an exempt item during Tax Free Weekend, requesting a refund from the retailer should be your first step.

If it's helpful, refer them to Revenue Ruling 19-4 . Retailers with questions about Tax Free Weekend can contact the SCDOR at SalesTax@dor.sc.gov.

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