County eyes buying more industrial land

By TUCKER LYON, T&D Government Writer

With an eye toward developing its own site, Orangeburg County Council on Monday approved an option to purchase land next to the County/City Industrial Park on Interstate 26.

As approved by council, Orangeburg County will pay $25,000 for the option to purchase a little less than 81 acres of property contiguous to the Orangeburg County/City Industrial Park from John and Yvonne Bozard.

“It would allow for the footprint to be expanded,” County Administrator Bill Clark said.

After the session, Clark explained that the option is for the county only, not the joint county/city commission.

“The county would market that property independently of the joint park,” he said.

The county will have the option to purchase the property for one year, with the chance to extend the option a second year. If the county exercises the option, the property’s cost would be $1.2 million. The $25,000 would go toward the purchase.

Clark told council that the price for property that close to the interstate is “comparable to others.”

In other business, despite some questions council agreed unanimously to five requests for funding, totaling $27,800, as recommended from the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee.

Council members Willie B. Owens and Clyde Livingston questioned the advisability of approving funding requests for 2011, particularly for the Grand American Coon Hunt, so far in advance. Other requests that come in could be denied, they argued.

According to Clark, the county doesn’t write the checks until the expenses are incurred. Council’s approval will mean that there’s “no question about the commitment to funding,” he said.

As approved, the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce will receive $6,000, reduced from an initial request of $7,500, for the separate AKC World Hunt and the NAIA basketball tournament at Claflin University. Also, Raylrode Daze in Branchville will get $4,800; the Elloree Heritage Museum will get $5,000; the Grand American Coon Hunt will get $7,000 and the second annual Hummingbird Festival in Woodford will get $5,000.

The tourism-related funds available to the county this quarter were $30,163. No requests were denied during this quarter.

Explaining the difference between the two coon hunts, Councilman Harry Wimberly said that the Grand American, which has been held in Orangeburg in January for many years, allows anybody to hunt or to participate. The AKC hunt relies on a points system to invite participants.

The Grand American Coon Hunt and the South Carolina State University Homecoming are the two most attended events in the county, Wimberly said.

Council members Clyde Livingston and Owens did not raise their hands to vote or indicate an abstention, indicating affirmative votes for the measure.

In other business, council:

* Gave first reading, by title only, to an ordinance amending the joint county industrial park agreement with Dorchester County.

Because the ordinance is “fairly complex,” Clark said council will receive a legal briefing before second reading.

After the session, Clark said that the ordinance is the result of a request from Dorchester County to make amendments. The changes are “full of legal points,” he said.

Under the state economic development incentive, the joint park agreement allows the county in which an industry is located to provide the industry with additional job incentives. In return, the other county will receive 1 percent of the industry-generated revenues.

* Received the “Project of the Year” award from the South Carolina Association of Regional Councils for the Cross County Connection, a regional transportation system. Wayne Rogers, executive director of the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, made the presentation.

Connie Shade, of Lower Savannah, reported that over 17,000 rides have been recorded on the pilot bus system since July.

* Passed a resolution honoring National Women’s History Month.

* Passed a resolution honoring the late Willie R. Cantey for his service to the community. His family also received a plaque of appreciation from the Economic Development Commission.

And, in public comments, Deloris Frazier asked for council’s support in an effort to name a building at Denmark Technical College for Cantey.

* Received as information, a request for help with flooding problems from Maxwell Place property owner Emily Scoville.

Owens, who represents the area, said that once an engineering report is received, council should be able to offer some help in cooperation with the owner of the land where the problem originates.

* In closed, executive session discussed an unspecified economic development matter and a legal briefing on a drainage situation.