Chamber readying for possible capital sales tax vote
In anticipation of a possible push to place capital projects sales tax projects on the 2016 referendum, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce leadership has been hosting a number of listening sessions.
The leadership met with residents and business owners Monday night at the Arts Center to discuss possible projects that could be supported by the 1-percent tax that would be limited to eight years.
Jerry Timmons, chairman of the advocacy committee for the chamber, said the tax is anticipated to raise about $10 million a year and can be used for brick-and-mortar projects.
The tax, which would need to be approved by Greenwood County Council, cannot be used for operational costs, but could include new buildings, road improvement, water and sewer projects, and drainage projects among others.
Timmons said reports show that 40 percent of the tax would be paid by out-of-town individuals. The total amount would have to be earmarked for specific projects before hitting the referendum.
The referendum would include the specific projects that would be vetted and prioritized by a six-member commission appointed by council.
Anne Drake of Drake, Drake & Associates shared interest in restoring the recreation center on Seaboard Avenue that has fallen in disrepair.
Drake also shared interest in developing public transportation.
“If you don’t have a car, it’s very hard to have a job,” Drake said at the meeting.
Timmons said partnerships would have to be formed in order to establish other funding sources for revenue, however, the sales tax could be used for buildings and the purchase of new buses.
“We feel confident the county’s not going to put something together that’s not sustainable,” Timmons said.
A new animal shelter, which has been a topic for discussion among County Council, was also mentioned. That price tag will not be determined until after a design is created, which is underway, and bid.
The Greenwood Civic Center lot, off Highway 72/221, which is in the process of being cleared, could be the site of a water park, pool or another project supported by the tax.
Parks also came into focus, including the Grace Street Park, which is in development, and a park serving south Greenwood, where many residents of the area have expressed interest.
Chamber president and chief executive officer Angelle LaBorde expressed a need for a conference center that could handle conferences and businesses in need of multiple and various-sized rooms.
Chamber board chairman David Tompkins said a focus should also be kept on attracting and keeping young professionals in the area, which could be done focusing on recreational and sports opportunities.
“We’ve got to focus things along those lines — looking 10 to 15 years down the road,” Tompkins said.
Many of the projects brought up at the meeting, including speculative buildings, professional training facilities and infrastructure, were indicative of opportunities for future partnerships with public and private funding.
“If there were a viable project, all the money does not have to come from capital sales tax. There are various funding solutions that could be used,” Timmons said.
LaBorde said the chamber will continue to compile ideas to present to council in the future to help give a voice to the business community in developing future projects to receive capital sales tax dollars.
Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Jun 23, 2015
By COLIN RIDDLE criddle@indexjournal.com
