Plans for western industrial park moving forward, officials say

NEESES — Though the economy has been slow to recover, Orangeburg County will ready when it does, says the county’s lead development official.

“It goes back to those three components I have always stressed: community development, infrastructure development and the marketing side of prospect development,” Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson said.

To prepare for the recovery, the county continues to acquire land, conduct site work and market what will be the first industrial park in western Orangeburg County

Robinson said, “We will be targeting suppliers for Boeing. We will be targeting suppliers for our existing companies and we will be targeting those who need to know about the property initially. The idea is to try to have everything pulled together.”

The county has purchased 180 acres for the park and is in the process of closing on about 50 more acres. The land is located northwest of Neeses and is adjacent to S.C. Highway 389 and U.S. 321. About 3,000 feet has S.C. 389 frontage.

The county hopes to eventually have a total of 489.2 acres for the park. Discussions are ongoing with about 36 landowners about the possible purchase of their property.

“We don’t need it all,” said John McLaughlin, OCDC project manager and county engineer. “We don’t want to displace anybody from their homes.”

McLaughlin says he’s optimistic 20 to 25 percent of the remaining acres can be purchased, although he said the project can move forward with the land the county already owns.

Clearing should begin within the next few months and signs will be placed on the property. The county hopes the park will have its first occupant within the next 5 to 10 years.

About $2 million has been set aside for the project from the capital projects sales tax. Development officials say they hope voters will approve another phase of the one cent capital sales tax to enable the further development of the park..

The property was chosen from among 10 sites reviewed as possibilities near U.S. 321. It was chosen due to its proximity to rail, Interstates 26 and 20 and the elevated storage tank already on the site.

The CSX rail line runs parallel to U.S. 321. The line serves the Port of Savannah and will serve the planned Jasper County port.

While the site does not have sewer service, Robinson said sewer is not crucial because the county would not target heavy industry or manufacturing operations for it. The park would most likely contain distribution or light assembly facilities.

The county engaged the services of Columbia-based Alliance Consulting Engineers to provide an assessment of the western part of the county. According to its analysis, traffic counts in the area are as high as 30,000 on the major arteries such as S.C. 389 and U.S. 321.