Georgetown County is one step closer to creating a joint county industrial park to accommodate an expansion by Simpson Lumber Co., which currently has a mill in Georgetown. On second reading, County Council passed an ordinance to create the joint county industrial park at its Feb. 24 meeting.
County Administrator Sel Hemingway told council that the agreement is between Georgetown County and Williamsburg County and will include tax credits for the company. “This is something that is typically offered to industries that qualify,” Hemingway said.
He explained that South Carolina counties are authorized under Article VII, Section 13 of the South Carolina Constitution to jointly develop an industrial or business park within the geographical boundaries of one or more of the member counties. Currently all properties associated with this agreement are located in Georgetown County, he said.
“The host county, which in this case is Georgetown County, will receive 99 percent of the revenue stream while Williamsburg County will receive 1 percent of the revenue stream,” Hemingway said. He stated in his report that the agreement is “to promote the economic welfare of the citizens of the counties by providing employment and other benefits to the citizens of the counties.”
At its Feb. 10 meeting, on third reading, council agreed to authorize a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement for Simpson Lumber Co. Hemingway told council members at that meeting that Simpson Lumber Co., which has a plant in Georgetown that has recently been sold to a new owner, is planning to expand and inject $6.7 million into its facilities and add 39 new jobs.
From South Strand News: https://www.southstrandnews.com/article/20150304/GTT06/150309966/1129/county-adds-incentives-for-lumber-mill-expansion