Brett Banter

When you think "business," you might not automatically associate it with "community service." No so with Walmart, a visible and generous supporter of non-profit organizations in South Carolina. Through the Walmart Foundation, the company consistently works to better its communities. Whether by supporting local chapters of national groups such as the Girl Scouts of America and Habitat for Humanity or by simply helping an independent initiative aimed at improving a neighborhood, the impact of Walmart's community work is felt throughout the state.

However, this community involvement is threatened by the very same force moving to undercut economic development in the state -- Amazon.com. If Amazon were to be exempt from collecting sales tax for the next five years, which is pushing fast toward ratification like a runaway locomotive, South Carolina small businesses will be forced t carry that burden for the state -- paying for Amazon's faces as well as their own. Not only does the state lose crucial tax dollars for education and infrastructure, but businesses become less competitive with tax-free Amazon pricing. When this loss of funds is realized, businesses such as Walmart will no longer be able to sustain their many community initiatives. That renders the Amazon sales tax deal a loss for the state, the economy and most importantly the people.