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COLUMBIA -- State transportation officials now project a new logo sign contract will bring the state at least $3 million in its first year, $150,000 above what the state was guaranteed.

The blue signs give motorists along major highways advance notice of gas stations, hotels, restaurants and attractions. The state Department of Transportation oversees the signs but since 1995 has contracted out administration of the program to a private firm.

South Carolina Logos, which won the contract this year, guaranteed minimum annual payment of $2.85 million each year for seven years. The award was disputed by the runner-up in the bid process, Corey Media of Atlanta.

Corey, which offered a minimum $3.025 million a year in its proposal, failed in its award-protest appeals. Officials with the firm told The Greenville News last month they thought the taxpayers lost because Corey offered guaranteed payments of $1 million more than S.C. Logos over the length of the contract.

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The firms were scored based on a variety of factors, officials said, but the proposed payments accounted for only 30 of the 100 total points. Each firm had to propose not only a minimum annual payment but also a percentage of gross revenue it would pay the state if that was more than the minimum.

Andy Leaphart, DOT's traffic programs engineer, told the DOT Commission that officials project revenue from the new contract will total $3.01 million in the first year.

DOT executive director Elizabeth Mabry said she wanted commissioners to hear what happened with the contract from agency officials, not news reports.

"It's an easy sound bite to say $1 million," she said. "Everything I've seen was done with tremendous integrity and professionalism."

During its protest, Corey said DOT Commissioner John Hardee is an executive with S.C. Logos' parent company but did not allege any impropriety.

Hardee has said he had nothing to do with S.C. Logos' bid proposal or any DOT decision on the matter. He said he has refrained from participating in any board discussion about his company or the logo signs.

Hardee left the boardroom Thursday during the logo briefing.