Guest column: Vote yes for parks and rec

On Nov. 5, voters in Greenwood County will have a decision to improve the quality of life for Greenwood residents. The Capital Project Sales Tax referendum (CPST) will fund $120,000,000 for 27 projects such as parks and recreation areas, a career center, fire protection equipment, new government buildings and improved art facilities.

The CPST is a simple 1% tax on goods, other than food, sold in Greenwood County. A large percentage of the money raised is paid by non-residents shopping in Greenwood. If there is no CPST, the county and municipalities must raise property taxes to fund such projects.

A majority of counties in South Carolina presently have a CPST allowing these counties to fund a variety of projects. When we travel to these counties and spend money, we unknowingly support the CPST projects in those counties. Likewise, the 1% extra tax on money spent in Greenwood goes largely unnoticed. Money is raised painlessly without a burden resting solely on property owners.

In past years we have seen many successful CPST projects including our public library, new and improved parks, renovated recreational facilities, new fire stations, renovated art facilities and a manufacturing training center at Piedmont Technical College. These projects would not have happened without CPST.

The referendum up for vote this November includes many projects I hold dear. This money will allow the Parks Foundation and the City of Greenwood to finish Grace Street Park and replace the playground at West Cambridge Park, including a shade structure. The CPST also allows the construction of an indoor recreation facility which will expand programs provided by Greenwood Parks and Recreation for children and adults.

The CPST is needed to move Greenwood forward as a thriving community. When industries look to move into a community, they strongly consider the quality of life in that county. The choice is simple. Vote yes for CPST and vote yes for Greenwood County.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on: Sep 17, 2024

Guest Column by: Billy Nicholson, Nicholson Meredith and Anderson, LLC. President of the Greenwood Parks Foundation.

Article Link:https://www.indexjournal.com/opinion/guest_column/guest-column-vote-yes-for-parks-and-rec/article_fc5834ca-6c8a-11ef-98d4-6f75be116e2b.html