Orangeburg County will be setting aside additional money to help attract industries.

The money will be placed into an economic development closing fund to pay for items an industry may want if it is considering locating in Orangeburg County.

The new fund will allow the county to help industrial prospects without dipping into the general fund, Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young said.

“They (companies) are going to want something,” he said.

The recently approved ordinance will set aside money from fee-in-lieu of taxes agreements with industries. The county typically enters into such agreements with larger industries, which allow them to pay a reduced tax rate as a fee over a set amount of time.

Under the ordinance, 20 percent of a company’s fee will go into the economic development closing fund. The remaining 80 percent will be distributed to schools.

“Typically what has been happening is the county has been putting in infrastructure for a lot of these projects to basically build spec buildings and build other things to lure industry here,” Young said.

For example, when Sigmatex considered locating in the John Matthews Industrial Park, the county spent money on sewer, water, roads and fencing to help bring the company here.

“That was coming out of the general fund,” Young said. “For us to be able to go after those companies every time they need x, y, z, we either had to go to Sen. (John) Matthews, the general fund, capital improvement fund, wherever we can to pull that money to get something done.”

In many cases, the money will be used to reimburse the county for infrastructure expenses. The money can also be used to help with land purchase deals as well.

“It makes us whole for the outlays that we put out there for infrastructure,” Young said.

Young said the county has had an economic development fund in place for quite some time, but the fund has been receiving 5 percent from fees instead of 20 percent.

After conducting some research with other county administrators, Young found the majority of counties in the state use a 20 percent benchmark.

“We were doing 5 (percent) thinking we were being innovative,” he said. Aiken and Lexington are just two examples of counties which set aside 20 percent.

Young said the change will not mean schools, which have been informed of the ordinance, will receive less tax money.

He projects with more money to lure industries, there will be more fee-in-lieu of taxes money for schools.

“Schools are not losing money,” he said.

Also, he noted the ordinance applies to new fee-in-lieu of taxes agreements.

“Before we put this thing in play, we were putting up the money. But we only got 10 cents for every dollar, because most of it went to the school districts and everyone else,” he said. “All we are saying is that if you all (schools) are going to get all the money, that is fine, but at least let us recoup the money we are putting out.”

“The more 20 percent we get allows us to give you more 80 percent,” Young said, in reference to the schools. “That is what the key is.”

Young estimates the closing fund has about a couple hundred thousand dollars accumulated through the 5 percent that has been set aside for it.

Lake Marion Technology Center Automotive Technology Advance Level class members are, first row from left, Zachary Herron, A’Dreon Davis, Marcus Young, Osman White; second row, Zachary Wilson, Deandre Holback, Anthony Rivers, William Meyers, Jonias Blocker.

SANTEE – The Automotive Technology Program at Lake Marion High School and Technology Center offers students two extraordinary opportunities; one is to achieve Automotive Service Excellence Certification and the other is to participate in paid internships. Students can also earn a maximum of 12 dual credit courses for college.

The ASE certification acknowledges that an automotive technology student has the ability to provide quality vehicle repairs and services. Dual credit gives students high school and college credit for the Automotive Technology classes.

Lake Marion Technology Center is exclusively tailored for providing work-based learning opportunities and certifications for students in this program. The program has received NATEF accreditation renewal for 2017-2022.

LMHS Automotive Technology instructor David Dees recently announced that four outstanding students in the program – Zachary Herron, Justin Parker, Marquize Young and William Meyer, have achieved their ASE certification and six college credits this school year and all of them are planning to continue their automotive technology studies at institutions of higher learning to pursue careers in this field.

Dees currently has five automotive technology students who are currently participating in internships paying $10 per hour plus uniforms: Zachary Herron and Justin Parker, Dorchester School Bus Maintenance Shop, St. George; and William Meyers, Osman White and Marquize Young, Orangeburg School Bus Maintenance Shop.

Career and Technical Education Director Aldean Gilmore said she’s proud of all of the students and encourages each program at Lake Marion Technology Center to institute a work-based learning experience, adding that it is very important for students to have a real-life experience in their desired careers. Gilmore said high school is the best setting for students to practice and demonstrate the skills needed in the workplace.

“The work-based learning experiences will give the students the opportunity to find out if this is really the career choice that they want to pursue. However, if students decide to select another field of study, they will have work experience to use for their employability,” she said.

Gilmore said she encourages all students to enroll in a CATE program to increase their work skills and explore careers.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Valagro, a producer of biostimulants and fertilizers for the agriculture industry, is launching its new production operations in Orangeburg County. The company’s $14 million investment is projected to create 47 new, high-skilled jobs.

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Valagro is a global leader in the world of biostimulants. The company specializes in the production and marketing of specialty nutrients for use in agricultural production and other industrial applications. Valagro operates through its 12 subsidiaries and owns a commercial network covering more than 80 countries worldwide. Providing innovative and effective solutions for plant nutrition and care, the company’s mission is to increase the quantity and quality of plants and harvested crops while enhancing productivity and reducing environmental impact.

Located at 397 Millennium Drive in Orangeburg, S.C., Valagro’s new, 65,000-square-foot Orangeburg County facility is expected to come online in the third quarter of 2019. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

For more information on Valagro, visit the company’s website at https://www.valagro.com/en.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits, as well as a $100,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Orangeburg County to assist with the costs of building construction.

QUOTES

“The construction of this U.S. production facility greatly supports our ability to better serve some of the most strategically-important markets, such as the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This means fully implementing Valagro’s principle of putting the customer in the center; the new facility will allow us to improve our ability to meet customers’ needs by providing them with a wide range of sustainable and effective nutritional solutions.” –Valagro CEO Giuseppe Natale

“Today, we celebrate yet another international firm choosing to do business in South Carolina, a further testament to our business-friendly climate and well-trained workforce. I congratulate Valagro and Orangeburg County on this terrific new partnership and look forward to watching it thrive for years to come.” –Gov. Henry McMaster

“When a new business comes to South Carolina, it speaks volumes not only about our business climate, but also about our workforce. I am excited to see what the future has in store for Valagro and their new home in Orangeburg County.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“We welcome Valagro to South Carolina and to Orangeburg County. Valagro is joining one of the state’s top industries, and we’re eager to share our agribusiness-friendly climate with this international company as it builds its new U.S. production facility.” –S.C. Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers

“South Carolina Ports Authority welcomes Valagro to our state and looks forward to serving its import needs. The Port plays an important role in the international supply chains of manufacturers across our state, and we look forward to supporting their addition to our growing economy.” –S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome

“Orangeburg County welcomes Valagro to our community. We are grateful they have chosen Orangeburg County as your first manufacturing facility in the U.S. It is a testament to our skilled workforce, location and pro-business environment. We thank Valagro for their investment in our county and our citizens.” –Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr.

“I join with the Orangeburg City Council in welcoming Valagro, a leader in the production and marketing of biostimulants and specialty nutrients. Their commitment is a positive reflection of our workforce and will provide quality careers for our citizens. By creating these jobs, 47 families will benefit, and our community will continue to prosper. We look forward to working with the company and celebrating its success.” –Orangeburg Mayor Michael C. Butler

“We’re delighted that Valagro has selected Orangeburg County for its next facility. The company’s expansion into Orangeburg County is a boon for the local economy and workforce and further confirms South Carolina’s position as a strong competitor in attracting international companies looking to grow their business in the U.S.” –Central S.C. Alliance Chairman Mike Brenan

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Valagro is launching a new production facility in Orangeburg County.
• $14 million investment to create 47 new jobs.
• Valagro is a producer of biostimulants and fertilizers for the agriculture industry.
• Located at 397 Millennium Drive in Orangeburg, S.C., Valagro’s new 65,000-square-foot Orangeburg County facility is expected to come online in the third quarter of 2019.
• For more information on Valagro, visit the company’s website at https://www.valagro.com/en.