During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council recognized the Palmetto Varsity Cheer Team, approved second reading to rezone several properties, approved a resolution in support of a fee in lieu of tax agreement for a local business and approved funding for a MLK Breakfast.
Palmetto High Competitive Cheerleading squad and coaches were recognized for winning the 2023 SC High School League 3A Competitive Cheer State Championship recently in Columbia. They went undefeated during the 2023 season to advance to State and won the championship scoring 271 points, defeating defending State Champions BHP by one point.
Council unanimously approved a resolution acknowledging the accomplishment.
Council approved second reading to rezone seven properties located on Sullivan Street, South Academy Street and Broad Street. The properties are being rezoned from R3 Single Family and Duplex to INS – Institutional. The properties are church properties and are being rezoned from residential/commercial to commercial/institutional.
Council also approved second reading to amend the zoning map and rezone three properties on Belton Drive from R-3 Single Family and Duplex to RC-Residential/Commercial. The Belton Drive properties include the Beyond Care Health Care business and Duke Energy Substation.
Council unanimously approved a resolution for consent for property in Williamston to be included in a Joint County Industrial and Business Park (2010) and other incentives. The agreement includes a fee in lieu of tax agreement with Anderson County and Town of Williamston for Williamston developer and business owner Jim Simpson.
The agreement with James M. Simpson and his company, Town Square Development LP, provides incentives to develop a commercial facility on properties within the Town. It also allows Anderson County to place the property into the 2010 industrial and business park.
The agreement requires a $5 million investment and will be in effect over a six year period.
The agreement with Town Square Development LP, includes investment in a new building for the ACE store on North Hamilton and will help with future plans to develop a retail shopping center at the site.
Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess said the agreement will reduce city taxes from $27,970 annually to $8391.
“It is the very least we can do,” Burgess said, “to help Jim Simpson expand that business.”
A fee in lieu of tax agreement is a common practice for business and industry incentives offered by Anderson County. The Joint County Business Park is a designation including Anderson and Greenville Counties to meet State requirements. There must also be at least a $5 million investment.
Burgess explained that the agreement is related to the sale of the Town Square Shopping Center property to Ingles and the costs associated with relocating an existing business.
When I first came into office, the number one thing people wanted was a grocery store,” he said. “There was a lot of very serious discussion between Ingles and Jim Simpson.”
Burgess said that recent discussions with Ingles indicated the grocery chain is still committed to coming to Williamston, but constructon costs had increased by forty percent since COVID, causing some hesitation by Ingles. Burgess said they have only opened one new store due to the increased construction costs.
“They are still committed to coming to Williamston,” he said. “but they will wait till the market settles down a bit.”
During discussions, Councilman Lee Cole stated that the incentive is not special treatment for Simpson, but is available to any business or industry that may want to locate or expand in Williamston and can meet the requirement under state law.
In a related matter, at their meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council approved second reading on a special source revenue credit agreement for credits to be applied against fee in lieu tax payments for “Project Austin” in Williamston.
Council apporved a request by Kenny Andrews to use a warehouse facility at 26 Moorings Drive that has been recently acquired by the Town. Andrews plans to use a portion of the building for storage and distribution of free goods and supplies. He has been using a warehouse at the lower Mill property in Pelzer, but there is no way to secure the building.
Mayor Burgess said use of the facility would not interfere with what the Town is currently doing with it and Council can decide at any time to cancel the temporary lease.
Council unanimously approved use for 30 days on a month to month basis. The lease will be $1.
Council approved up to $5000 for a Martin Luther King Breakfast to be held at 9:30 am on Jan. 13 at the Caroline Community Building. The Williamston Action Community Club is sponsoring the event with help from the Town. The event will be free to attend but a ticket is required.
Council approved updates to the business license ordinance. State requires updates every two years. The updates reflect NAICS Codes to match State Law, specifically for telephone companies and billiard/pool tables and other classifications.
Council then went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.
