“This Carolina Cluster Pathway Program is our collaborative response to America’s need for talent and our graduates’ desire to be competitive in obtaining high-paying 21st century jobs,” said Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president of Claflin University.

“Through the work of the program, we will leverage the capacity of our partner institutions and implement innovation strategies to nurture the talent of the students on our campuses as well as recent graduates and help make the story of the workforce of the 21st century one of increased diversity and inclusion,” he said.

The institutions received part of a $35.4 million grant under the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.

The grant will help the institutions design and implement programs to improve employment outcomes for graduates.

The announcement came after a year-long process that initially targeted 87 eligible public and private historically black colleges and universities and predominantly black institutions.

Claflin is receiving $3.3 million; Benedict, $1.5 million, and Voorhees, $1.2 million.

Dr. David H. Swinton, president and CEO of Benedict College, said, “This grant will enhance our technology and ability to transform our student scholars into career-oriented professionals who will be true powers for good in our society.”

Voorhees College President Dr. W. Franklin Evans said, “Voorhees College is delighted to have received funding that will enable us to move our students from college to successful careers.

“We are proud of the long relationship we have forged with UNCF and are elated to have been selected for this opportunity. This grant provides us with additional resources to prepare our students to be competitive in this global society.”

Made possible through a $50 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative is a unique pilot program helping colleges and universities enhance career readiness for their 54,000 enrolled students.

As part of the initiative, the selected institutions will develop a range of academic programs, student internships, industry partnerships and specialty certifications as they forge a new model for career readiness.

“These colleges and universities show promise in significantly addressing the urgent challenges facing African American college students and graduates,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO.

“We heartily congratulate Claflin University, Benedict College and Voorhees College and the other institutions chosen to lead this important work,” he said.

The farm locations and names of the companies involved were not released Monday and will be withheld until third and final reading, county officials said.

In one instance, council gave first reading by title only to fee-in-lieu of taxes and joint county industrial park incentives for a solar company only identified as Project Springfield. The company plans to invest $10 million.

The fee-in-lieu of taxes incentive allows industries to pay a fee based on a lower tax assessment than the standard 10.5 percent.

The joint county industrial park is a mechanism designed to provide an industry with additional incentives. There is no physical park.

Council also gave second reading approval to incentives for solar farm companies identified as Project Peony and Project Magnolia. Peony plans to invest $42.9 million and Magnolia plans to invest $46.2 million.

The companies will also receive traditional fee-in-lieu and joint county industrial park incentives.

Orangeburg County Councilman Harry Wimberly mentioned a solar farm that made plans to enter another county about three years ago.

“It has been three years and nothing has happened on his property,” Wimberly said. “We don’t want property tied up for a long period of time with someone speculating.”

State law gives the companies five years to locate and invest in the county, but this can be extended an additional five years if council desires.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson said the arrival of the solar farms is “market driven.”

“There are only four solar farms that are at this stage and at this level” of county approval, he said.

“We have had a number of solar farms evaluate the county but I don’t want you to think there is a plethora of solar farms,” he said. “There are a lot of people looking, but to get to this stage in the ordinance and to get to this stage of execution in order for them to go public and announce is a big deal.”

Council was also going to give first reading to a solar farm project identified as Project Palmetto Plains, but Wimberly expressed concerns that he did not know where the nearly 500-acre farm would be located.

The farm would be located off of Highway 210, but that was the only information available for council on Monday.

“I don’t think council has seen this at all,” Wimberly said. “This title-only stuff can get you into trouble. I don’t know where it is coming from.”

Councilman Johnny Ravenell said he was unaware of the project as well.

Council agreed to delay the vote until the next meeting so more information can be obtained.

Robinson did say that the entire 499 acres has been secured, but it does not necessarily mean the entire property will be used for the solar farm.

The company says it would invest $85.5 million.

In other matters:

• Council approved a request to rezone about 5 acres of property owned by Elizabeth Felder at the intersection of Binnicker Bridge Road and Bamberg Road from rural community to commercial general.

The rezoning is intended to allow the placement of a boat, bait and tackle business on the property.

The intersection already has a gasoline station which is zoned commercial general.

Council gave first reading by title only to the rezoning ordinance. The ordinance will become official after third reading.

• Council gave second reading approval to a fee-in-lieu of taxes incentive for Project Leopard. The agreement will be added to the existing fee agreement, which the company received in 2013.

The company is planning to invest a minimum of $69 million to expand its presence in Orangeburg County. It has asked to remain anonymous until third and final reading.

Project Leopard wants to invest $29 million in buildings and $40 million in other items in the county. The investment will be made over the next five to ten years.

The company previously promised a minimum investment of 25 new jobs. This new expansion will not bring any more jobs but will secure the 25.

• Council adopted a resolution to consider the inclusion of property into a multi-county industrial park and to apply a special source revenue credit for a business locating near North.

The incentives would be provided if the company locates in a building at least 10,000 square feet in size, invests at least $250,000 and creates at least five new jobs.

No specific industry or business was mentioned.

* Council approved a three-year contract for waste hauling services to Dorado Services through June 30, 2020. The contract is $56,400 per month for the coming year beginning in July 2017 through June 2018. The contract increases $1,000 for each remaining year.

Council says after the three years, the contract with Dorado will still be less than the second-lowest waste hauling bid the county received two years ago.

The county has engaged the services of Dorado for the past two years.

* Council approved Ohio-based Kucera International to provide aerial photography services to the county, particularly for the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities. The contract is $95,000, with half being paid by DPU.

* Council gave Lexington, South Carolina-based AOS Specialty Contractors, Inc. the contract for $1.8 million to begin the first phase of improvements to the Orangeburg County courthouse complex.

The contract is for the placement of a new street and parking at the courthouse.

Orangeburg County is planning for the relocation of Docket Street, which could open up the area in front of the courthouse for a Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.

* Armstrong Terrace resident Cynthia Dash requested council remove old houses from her street and clean up the area. She expressed concerns about the impact on her property values. Council said the matter will be looked into.

* Council approved to providing Santee Cooper Country $20,000 to help fund marketing efforts, $7,000 to the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce for billboard advertising and $25,127 for the 2017 Amateur Athletic Union Super Regional basketball championship tournament.

If the county does not get the tournament, the funds will not be provided for it.

* Council read a resolution declaring that the 2016 capital project sales and use tax referendum was approved by county voters in November.

* Council read and approved a resolution declaring that the referendum allowing Sunday alcohol sales was approved by voters. Wimberly, who was opposed to the Sunday alcohol sales, abstained.

The law will begin to take effect after Jan. 1.

* Council entered into executive session to talk about the Orangeburg County Department of Social Services building, receive an economic development update and discuss a Southern Health Services contract.

There are also plans to develop two out or standalone parcels — about 4,800 square feet and 6,000 square feet — on the front portion of the property to include small retail and dining space.

Plans are to begin construction by the first quarter of 2017, with opening by the second quarter of next year.

“We want to be able to provide local services for the college students,” Grand Oak Realty Principal Brandon Graham said, adding he envisions lunch-type outlets to include sandwich and sub shops.

Graham declined to provide names of retailers except to note square footage would be divided according to retailers’ needs.

“The property is within our existing portfolio,” Graham said when asked what attracted the company to the property. “We are doing redevelopment on behalf of the landowner and landlord.”

Graham said the company has been in discussions with the Orangeburg County Development Commission as well as city officials about the project.

OCDC Executive Director Gregg Robinson said he often receives inquiries as to why the buildings have been vacant.

“The current buildings are encumbered by leases,” Robinson said, noting the lease on the Kmart building expires by year’s end but that the Reid’s building lease does not expire until 2024. “The buildings are available but there are issues with them.”

Robinson noted both buildings are vacant because of national trends and not due to Orangeburg being “insufficient” to sustain the businesses.

Robinson said there has been interest in the buildings and the property.

“It is a high-traffic area with high visibility and at the heart of a population demographic,” Robinson said, noting the property would be ideal for a single tenant or multiple user.

Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler praised plans to redevelop the retail complex.

“It will spark economic growth and that is the road we want to go,” Butler said. “We are moving the city forward with every opportunity that is presented to us. We welcome all development to Orangeburg that will benefit constituents here.”

The city would be responsible for any connection fees and business licensing.

The two properties are owned by a Columbia-based trust DWB Orangeburg LLC Interprop Inc. and DWB Orangeburg-Reids LLC.

Graham said the development would be self-funded by the ownership entity.

The Kmart store at 1470 Chestnut Street closed in early August. Kmart had a presence in Orangeburg since October 1972.

There are also plans to develop the entire 13-acre property, including the former 40,000-square-foot Reid’s grocery store at 1450 Chestnut St., but Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, which purchased Reid’s in 2013,  has the lease on the building that does not expire until 2024.

“We are in contact with those guys,” Graham said, noting the company would like to set up an arrangement where it could possibly sublease or lease to buy the property. “We want to develop the entire piece of property.”

An attempt to reach Bi-Lo officials was not successful.

In 2013, Bi-Lo Holdings LLC announced it entered into an agreement with Delhaize Group to buy substantially all of the stores in the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains from Delhaize for $265 million in cash.

Bi-Lo then said it would close 13 of the 155 stores, including the Orangeburg Reid’s. Reid’s closed in 2014.

Orangeburg County Councilman Harry Wimberly said he envisions the complex as a “center for our young people.”

“This is their future,” Wimberly said, expressing his desire to see future generations of families enjoy the complex.

The $2.3 million complex was made possible through the voter-approved 1 percent capital project sales tax.

The complex features a fully-equipped concession stand, scorer’s tower, meeting room, restrooms, two recreational baseball fields, two multi-use/collegiate fields and one soccer field.

The two multi-use baseball fields can be adjusted to accommodate all levels of play with distance from fence to plate being up to 400 feet for adult play.

The blue and gray concession stand serves as a centerpiece of the complex.

The 35-acre property was purchased for $100,000 from the Vernon Ott Revocable Trust. It is located at 2645 Classic Road.

Construction began in February and ended in October. The work was delayed due to the weather.

Aiken-based H.G. Reynolds Company Inc. was the general contractor. The county will own the complex while the Branchville Youth Sports Committee will maintain the complex.

Wimberly said the idea for a sports complex has been in the making for the past ten years.

“Look at it today,” Wimberly said. “This is something we can all be proud of.”

Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young thanked voters for approving the sales tax, which officials call “the penny.” He said the park is “all about the kids.”

“The county makes good on its promises,” Young said. “But this is about the citizens. You citizens spend the penny and you get the projects you deserve.”

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, and Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman, also praised the power of the sales tax.

“This is truly a gem,” Cobb-Hunter said. When she saw all the stadium lights shining in the darkness she thought, “Whooohoooo, look at Branchville.”

Matthews said the complex shows, “the vision, wisdom and willingness” of all to make it become a reality.

“It shows what we can do when we are working together for the penny,” he said.

Branchville Town Councilman Michael Blankenship said Horton Field served the town well, but the growth of team sports has caused the town to outgrow the facility.

The community has about 100 people who play T-ball, softball and baseball, but only had one ball field before the complex was finished.

“It has become a logistical nightmare for all of us,” he said. “It has been a mess. This field means no more Tuesday night parking mayhem at Horton Field.”

Blankenship said the complex will host a number of different regional and state tournaments, including football events in the future.

Mayor Franklin Dickson said without the penny, a town the size of Branchville would not be able to build such a complex.

“The penny creates projects,” he said.

Branchville resident Linda Mims came out to the ribbon-cutting to show her support for the community.

“It looks good,” Mims said. “It will do a lot for Branchville and Orangeburg in general.”

Mims’ 6-year-old daughter, Korris, kept her excitement simple and controlled.

“I like the fields,” she said.

Khristen Barker came with her children, who are involved in various athletic activities.

“It is awesome,” she said. “It is huge.”

Barker said she hopes the park will increase community involvement.

“We hope it will bring a lot more youth to start playing sports all over,” Barker said. “When we were doing sports, we used to go to Bamberg or Summerville. With this, we will not have to travel. We can come here and do everything.”

Edisto Middle School student Charles Daniels, 12, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright.

Caylah Harris, a 10-year-old from Lockett Elementary School, threw out the first softball to Dickson.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting, the Branchville Girls volleyball team was recognized for winning the state championship.

“This new expansion, they want to put under an existing fee-in-lieu” of taxes agreement, County Attorney Jerrod Anderson said Tuesday. The existing agreement was signed in 2013.

Project Leopard wants to invest $29 million in buildings and $40 million in other expenses in the county, Anderson said.

The fee-in-lieu of taxes incentive allows industries to pay a fee based on a lower tax assessment than the standard 10.5 percent.

Anderson said with county approval, the investment period can expand from five years to ten.

Project Leopard also looks to extend the remaining term of the special source revenue credit.

The company previously promised a minimum investment of 25 new jobs. This new expansion will not bring any more jobs but will secure the 25.

“They will request that this expansion be placed in a multicounty industrial park,” Anderson said. The multicounty park is not a physical park, but an entity created on paper that allows industries to receive additional incentives.

County Council passed first reading of the ordinance setting up the incentives.

Also in the meeting:

• County Council gave first-reading approval to changes in incentives for an expansion by SI Group, which bought out Albemarle’s Orangeburg operations.

“They want to move the promised $65 million investment to a maximum or a ceiling of $55 million,” Anderson said. “They have invested $40.9 million but they won’t be able to reach that goal of $65 million after the assumption of the fee-in-lieu and so that’s why they’re asking to move it back.”

They also look to scale the special source revenue credit back from $58 million to $55 million for a period of 30 years.

• Councilmember Janie Cooper-Smith reported that the county will begin making rounds to remove debris left by Hurricane Matthew.

“Any vegetation debris from Hurricane Matthew should be placed on the right of way for removal,” Cooper-Smith said.

She noted that this service is only for county-maintained roads. Debris by state roads will not be collected.

Cooper-Smith said the county will only come through areas once and look to conclude the clean up by January.

Henry Summers, who is over Public Services, said the county will make an exception for areas where employees have already made a pass since the citizens were not made aware.

There is no schedule for the pickup, but citizens are encouraged to place their debris in the right-of-way as soon as possible.

• Council approved carrying forward budgets for projects approved in 2016 but have a completion date in 2017.
• Council approved $50,000 to renew software for the GIS website. The software works with the county’s other departments and services.

• Council approved the renewal of the transportation system agreement with Santee Wateree RTA in order to request funding from the federal government.

• Council approved a recommendation for a Surrey Severe Weather Training Trailer. About $43,000 of the $53,000 cost will be paid for with a grant.

The trailer will be used to teach the community about fire safety and severe weather hazards.

• Wimberly announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Orangeburg County–Branchville Sports Complex at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.