What’s a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)?
A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a legally binding agreement between a developer and the local community. It ensures that when public dollars support private projects—like the $1.29 billion incentive deal with Scout Motors—the community gets something back in return.
CBAs protect residents from being left out of economic development by guaranteeing good jobs, affordable housing, environmental safeguards, and real community investment.
Why We’re Calling for a CBA with Scout Motors
Scout Motors is building a massive auto manufacturing plant in Blythewood, SC, thanks in part to one of the largest taxpayer-funded incentive packages in state history. But there are no guarantees for:
Local hiring for the 4,000 promised jobs
Workforce training for nearby rural residents
Affordable housing to protect renters and long-time homeowners
Environmental accountability
A voice for the people most impacted
We believe public money should come with public power!
What We've Done
The SC for All Coalition is powered by local organizers, faith leaders, small business owners, students, and neighbors from Richland and Fairfield Counties who are demanding transparency and accountability.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:
✅ 1,000+ petition signatures demanding a CBA with Scout Motors
✅ Letter delivered to Scout Motors with 18 initial signatures from local stakeholders
✅ Public community meetings, partner meetings, and canvassing across impacted neighborhoods
What’s Next?
We’re building people power to make the case that no deal is complete without the community at the table.
Join us as we push for:
A legally binding CBA
Ongoing public oversight of development decisions
Real outcomes—not broken promises