Charleston, SC - The budget battle could dim the Lowcountry’s star power. Lawmakers are struggling to find a way to keep film incentives in the proposed budget for next year.

The television series Army Wives is now in its fourth season and has generated millions of dollars for the local economy, but if there is no incentive to stay some think they could leave the area.

South Carolina was once a movie magnet and the money those movies generated were not just going back to Hollywood.

“I think they should be entitled to the incentives,” Senator Glenn McConnell says. “They are good, clean, economic incentives. They do not pollute and they bring jobs and money.”

This year’s budget woes could stall production. The Senate cut more than a million dollars in film incentives, but some say that could do more harm than good.

“Army Wives has been tremendous for the economic impact for South Carolina,” Robbin Knight of the Carolina Film Alliance says.

Army Wives shoots episodes in Charleston. The show hires locals and buys its supplies from local businesses.

“There are several companies like the Mills House, local lumber companies that would have had to lay off several crews and employees and do cutbacks if Amy Wives had not been here,” Knight added.

The television show’s incentive to stay is the cash rebates they receive.

“If incentives get taken off the books for film and television, yes they will leave,” said Knight.

That scenario is something lawmakers say the state cannot afford.

Senator McConnell says the debate over the budget is not done yet; he expects lawmakers to put the incentive back in the budget before it is sent to Governor Sanford next week for approval.

Lawmakers expect Sanford to veto their version of the budget. If he does, the would have to override that veto.

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