"refusing to start" sounds like the developers are the reason some of these projects have not started. In same cases that may be the case, but they cannot start without permits. I think you are missing how much of the delays are actually the product of delays by the city/county and state, some due to a lack of staff compared to the amount of work and some delays that are an intentional effort to slow growth. You have to remember that a large number of the residents of the upstate and the people that works at the municipalities, counties, and the state are not fans of growth and would be much happier if not a single additional soul moved here, if not a single additional development started. Except for certain chain restaurants off course.