Key takeaways
- South Carolina state government spent $40.2 billion in fiscal 2024, the 27th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Division of Procurement Services, and vendors register and find bids in SC Business Opportunities (SCBO).
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028 budget proposal usually comes in January.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn May 13.
- A new governor, Alan Wilson, takes office Jan. 13, 2027.
South Carolina government at a glance
| Fact | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $40.2 billion (27th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal usually in January |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 12 to May 13 (122 days) |
| Governor-elect | Alan Wilson, takes office Jan. 13, 2027 |
| Central procurement office | Division of Procurement Services |
| Bid and vendor portal | SC Business Opportunities (SCBO) |
| State CIO | Nathan Hogue, Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 666 total, including 271 special districts and 78 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 22 public power utilities and 20 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 16,453 (end of 2023) |
How South Carolina buys
- Central purchasing. The Division of Procurement Services handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. SC Business Opportunities (SCBO) is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our South Carolina vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. South Carolina's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released in January. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn May 13. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
- New administration. Governor-elect Alan Wilson takes office Jan. 13, 2027. New administrations often bring new agency leaders and priorities; see new governors in 2027.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Nathan Hogue, Chief Information Officer, leads the Department of Administration. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, no laws and 1 agency policy on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in South Carolina
The biggest South Carolina entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, 01 | School district | 76,939 students (fall 2021) | 44 of 100 largest districts |
| Charleston, 01 | School district | 49,331 students (fall 2021) | 87 of 100 largest districts |
| Charleston AFB/International | Airport | 3,142,402 passengers boarded (2025) | 57 of 100 busiest |
| Myrtle Beach International | Airport | 1,743,132 passengers boarded (2025) | 81 of 100 busiest |
| Greenville Water | Water utility | 396,265 people served | 82 of 208 largest |
| Charleston Water System | Water utility | 327,422 people served | 106 of 208 largest |
| Santee Cooper (South Carolina Public Service Authority) | Public power utility | 216,494 electric customers (2024) | 19 of 50 largest |
| Richland County Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's office | 533 sworn personnel (2016) | 27 of 50 largest |
| Port of Charleston | Port | More than 2.6 million Calendar 2025 TEUs (2025) | 8 of 16 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 666 local governments. That includes 271 special districts and 78 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 22 public power utilities and 20 electric cooperatives serve 1,335,268 customers, 45% of the state. See South Carolina utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
South Carolina state holidays in 2027
Besides the 11 federal holidays, South Carolina state offices close on these days in 2027:
- Confederate Memorial Day: Monday, April 26 (Alabama, Mississippi (South Carolina observes May 10))
See the full 2027 federal and state holiday calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research South Carolina buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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