S.C. Code Ann. § 13-1-1350

In addition to the powers and duties of the director as specified by Section 13-1-1330, when it shall appear that the acquisition, by purchase, construction, condemnation or donation, and operation of additional connecting, switching, terminal or other railroads are desirable in the public interest to promote and foster economic growth and development, the director may, with the approval of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, extend the division's operations, provided, that if such extension includes extension of mainline trackage, the common carrier railroads operating in the State shall have declined to agree to provide such facilities within six months after having been requested to do so by the division and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority and provided the financing for such extensions is approved by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority pursuant to the provisions of this article.