By Stan Welch
The Anderson County Council meeting Tuesday night was more remarkable for the absence of one of its members as for any business that was conducted. District Seven Councilwoman Cindy Wilson was out of town and unable to attend, marking her first absence in several years.
In her absence the Council heard from David Shellhorse, of the Appalachian Council of Government (ACOG), who presented the annual update on ACOG’s economic development strategy. The strategy is built around eight main elements, including target industries, workforce development, infrastructure, available sites for development, entrepenuership, access to capital, economic development focused on local assets, such as Lake Hartwell, and global competitiveness.
Shellhorse was seeking a letter of endorsement from the Council, which is required by the federal government, which funds most of ACOG’s activities and programs.
District Two Councilwoman Gracie Floyd then had county assessor Mike Freeman make a presentation on the laundry list of provisos, or unfunded mandates, imposed on the county by the General Assembly this year. Freeman briefly read and explained the costs and impacts of the twenty two provisos, which cover a wide spectrum of services and requirements. Those requirements, which the state does not fund run the gamut from support of the local library system, at a minimum level of $75,000, to providing funding to assure legal representation for indigent parties appearing in the various municipal courts within the county.
Nine of the twenty two provisos are directly related to the functions and administration of the local courts, including the Solicitor’s office, the public defender’s office, and the magistrates’ courts.
The Council gave unanimous second reading approval to a proposed ordinance authorizing the execution of a lease purchase agreement for the acquisition of vehicles and various equipment, not to exceed $5.3 million.
District One Councilman Francis Crowder presented a draft of an ordinance for the Council’s perusal and review. The ordinance would give the county administrator expanded authority to explore the acquisition of land for the creation of an industrial park, as well as the development of a ‘spec’ building to attract potential clients to locate their businesses in Anderson County.
The ordinance is intended to streamline the process, especially in the preliminary stages of interaction between the county and potential clients. County administrator Rusty Burns told The Journal that in just the last week, three different international companies have visited Anderson County to explore possibilities for locating here.
“With the guidance and support of the Council, and the hard and effective work of Burris Nelson and his economic development staff, Anderson County has built an admirable track record in attracting and retaining commercial and industrial development. As those in the field know, success begets success. That track record speaks for itself. I believe it would be fair to say that Anderson County has never been hotter in terms of interest across the country and abroad. Mr. Crowder has been a leader in this growth and this proposed ordinance, if the Council agrees, promises to make our efforts even more efficient.”
The ordinance will likely be on the agenda for the September 15 meeting.
