Anderson County Council emerged from executive session on Tuesday night to approve the purchase of 24 acres to build a spec building for $877,00. The land is located on the frontage road at Alliance Park off S.C. 81 near I-85. Council voted 5-1 to ok the purchase, with Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson abstaining.
Anderson County currently has $415,000 on hand for the purchase of land and the building of a spec building, said Anderson Councy Councilman Francis Crowder.
"We already have $265,000 from the private sector and a pledge to tranfer another $150,000 as a zero interest loan with no payments untill we sell the building," Crowder said. He said another request had been made for an additional $55,000 from another private sector source.
"Technically we have run out of industrial inventory," Crowder, who added the South Carolina Department of Commerce said they weren't going to send potential businesses to Anderson unless we have facilities.
"I have some concerns about a spec building," said Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd. "But I am hoping for the best." Floyd voted for the purchase.
"Our job is to get people jobs," said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn, arguing for the importance of the spec building.
Council also approved paying $110,000 to McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture for design of the spec building. Crowder said the firm designed part of I-Car and Hubble Lighting in Greenville, as well as AnMed's newest campus.
Council also approved $40,000 to the Huntersville, N.C., graphic design firm Granite Sky to redesign the Anderson County Website. Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen said the actual cost of the website will be cloeser to $23,000.
Additionally, council voted to fund the hiring a third litter officer for the county.
Earlier, council delayed the final vote on the rezoning of a parcel of land on Reed Road near Greenville Street, to allow for the reported construction of a Walmart Neighborhood Market. Council is continuing meeting with the developers and the South Carolina Department of Transportation on traffic issues surrounding the proposals and expects a final vote on the project during the first council meeting in September.
Meanwhile, council approved tax incentives for Viva Recycling of South Carolina, a company which recycles tires, bringing a $6.5 investment and 14 new jobs with an average wage of $17.54 per hour.
Also on Tuesday night, Wilson expressed concerns of budget transfers in the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. Wilson called for a number of possibilities, including moving some parts of the Sheriff’s budget under council control.
Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said it was worth noting that over the past 12 years, the Emergency Services Department had come in more than $3 million dollars in the black. Dunn said that despite Wilson's suggestions to the contrary, that the current system of reporting is perfectly legal.
And on a odd note, after approving the hiring of Lynn Sopolosky, currently the clerk in Abbeville County Council, as clerk for Anderson County Council, Sopolosky was offered more money by Abbeville to stay in her current position. Anderson will now renew the search for a new clerk.
On Tuesday night, Council also:
Approved on first reading tax incentives for the business, code-named "Project Bridge," which would bring a $16 million investment and 10 jobs to the county, with an average salary of $16 per hour.
Gave final approval to an ordinance calling on Anderson County Council to provide a published agenda no more than 24 hours before a meeting, except in cases of emergencies determined by a super majority, or two-thirds, vote of council.
Gave final approval tax incentives for Project Wolf, and existing Anderson company which will 14 jobs, average salary of $14.50 per hour, and a $2.5 million investment, to the existing business which employs 16.
Gave final approval to rezoning for a new grocery store proposed for the corner of Belton-Honea Path Highway at Johnson Road just outside of Honea Path.
Approved the firm Goodwin and Mill for update sewer design work.
Gave final approval to a wastewater/sewer agreement with Pendleton.
Gave final approval on an ordinance to prohibit through-truck traffic in Nevitt Forest Subdivision.
Approved on second reading an ordinance moving the Anderson County Civic Center back into County Council District 1.