Since Aug. 29, the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce has organized public meetings about the upcoming 2024 Capital Project Sales Tax referendum, as part of the Yes! For Greenwood Campaign.
Problem is, residents are not attending these meetings.
Chamber President Trentsie Williams made her way to the first meeting at the Hodges-Cokesbury fire department Aug 29. No one showed up other than media and county council members.
The next meeting on Sept. 5 was at the Greenwood Main Fire Station. Williams said about 10 to 15 residents attended.
The more recent meeting at the Highway 34 Fire Department in Ninety Six had four residents in attendance. One resident shared a concern about property tax increases.
“There’s lots of people across the county that this will impact — continue to impact — because of the cost that encouraged this tax,” a Ninety Six resident said.
But outside of a handful of residents, the chairs in these meetings are empty. Something Williams hopes will change.
“We would love to see more, because we think we have a very good message to tell about the community good and all the things that we can do with the 27 projects,” Williams said.
Regardless, Williams said she is determined to explain the tax and why, she said, it is important for residents in Greenwood County.
“The goal of the Capital Project Sales Tax is to invest our dollars back into our own community. We are so excited for the opportunity to help make Greenwood a better place to live, work and play. A ‘yes’ vote will ensure we continue to move Greenwood forward,” Williams said.
Greenwood voters approved the first penny tax in 2016. Then, there were 27 projects the tax was collected to fund.
“As of July, the 2016 Capital Project has collected over $77 million; $44 million has already been spent on the previous 27 projects. Nine of these projects have been completed. Because of COVID-19, other projects are in the works of being completed, while others are in the design phase,” Williams said.
Abby Banks, Greenwood County public information officer, listed some of the 2016 projects that are completed.
“Many projects have been completed, including, the Gateway Landing boat ramp, the William H. ‘Billy’ O’Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence, the speculative building at the North Greenwood Industrial Park (now home to E.A. Sween Co.), upgrades to the J.C. Boozer Complex and Young’s Park, fire stations, a fire truck, new radios for public safety, the pedestrian trail in Promised Land, Ninety Six waterlines, fiber optic lines at the Genetic Center, and software for the solicitor’s office,” Banks said in an email.
Banks said the work will still continue on the rest of the 2016 ballot projects.
“We are nearing completion of our recreation complex and Greenwood County’s first inclusive playground. The grand opening for the playground will be announced soon, with a celebration for the entire complex to follow shortly after. Additionally, construction is in its final stages for the new restrooms at Cokesbury College, ensuring enhanced facilities for the community,” Banks said.
The 2024 CPST will begin collecting funds for a new set of projects. Williams said only funds raised after the approval of the new referendum can be used toward the new list of projects.
“This is not a penny on top of a penny. The 2016 penny will expire, and then the 2024 penny tax will begin if approved by the voters,” Williams said. “Thirty-eight to 41% of the money collected will actually be paid by residents who don’t live in Greenwood. They’re going to come here and eat in the restaurants and shop,” Williams said.
If the vote passes in November, about $121 million is projected to be collected over the next seven years. Williams said the tax will be used to enhance public safety, economic development, infrastructure enhancements and renovations to buildings throughout Greenwood County. Applications were made by groups across the county for potential projects to fund.
“We had five subcommittees that were formed to review all of the applications. We had exactly 40 applications that were submitted. Out of those 40 applications, 27 of the projects are actually on the project list for the 2024 ballot,” Williams said.
According to the 2024 ballot, one of the biggest investments includes about $28 million to implement a new Fire Service Master Plan throughout Greenwood County.
The apparatus fleet (any vehicle that has been customized for use during firefighting operations) will be replaced throughout the county. Eighteen of the 24 vehicles used will be replaced with newer models. Because these models are bigger and wider than most of the existing fire stations, the 2024 CPST would fund building new stations in Promised Land, Hodges-Cokesbury, Lower Lake on Highway 702, Epworth Phoenix, and an addition to Station 1 at the recreation complex.
Water tanks with a 30,000-gallon capacity, will also be added at Station 90 (Callison), Station 95 (Tri-County), Station 21 (Highway 221), Station 62 (Carter Road), and Station 70 (Epworth Phoenix) where there are no fire hydrants. This will enhance the ability to respond to residential fires in the portions of the county that do not have fire hydrants.
The other big investment focuses on the youth in the county. A little over $10.5 million will be matched to build a new Career Center on the Piedmont Technical College campus in Greenwood. Associate Vice President for PTC Rusty Denning said this campus will have programs strictly offered in high school, for high school students across the county.
“Our younger generation has actually declined. What’s happening is when they’re graduating they’re leaving Greenwood. So this, we feel it’s an opportunity to keep them here and gain some valuable skill sets by partnering with the school district to build this campus,” Denning said.
Other projects, as Williams described, are the “not so sexy projects.”
These include repairs to nine bridges, replacements at wastewater plants in Ware Shoals and Ninety Six, repairs for government facilities, upgrades to Greenwood County recreation complexes, and lighting and security improvements to Lander University’s Jeff May Complex, to name a few.
“Our citizens need and deserve updated public facilities, parks with safe and fun equipment for their children to play on, consistent and clean water, safe and maintained roads, new infrastructure that brings opportunities for economic growth, the list goes on,” Williams said.
That is why Williams hopes more people will learn about the 2024 CPST tax, and vote yes.
“There is at least one or more projects on the 2024 list that every community member can get behind. That’s why we need the members of the community to vote yes, so we can continue to show the world that Greenwood is a great place to live, work, raise a family, go to school, recreation and more. Every project matters and is an important piece to the puzzle that is community betterment,” Williams said.
The next meeting will take place 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Troy Fire Department. The ballot, projects and information on the meeting locations can be found at yesforgreenwood.com.
“We would love to see more, because we think we have a very good message to tell about the community good and all the things that we can do with the 27 projects,” Williams said.
Yes! For Greenwood Meeting Times and Locations The public forums about the Greenwood Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum will be held at the following locations. All meetings will be held at 6:30pm. · Hodges August 29th, at 6:30PM; Location: Hodges-Cokesbury Fire Department · Greenwood City September 5th, at 6:30PM; Location: S. Main Fire Station · Ninety Six September 12th, at 6:30PM; Location: Hwy 34 Fire Department · Troy September 19th, at 6:30PM; Location: Troy Fire Department · Promised Land September 23rd, at 6:30PM; Location: Promised Land Fire Department · Epworth-Phoenix, September 30th at 6:30PM; Location: Epworth-Phoenix Fire Department · Ware Shoals October 3, 6:30 PM; Location Ware Shoals Fire Department · Callison October 8th, 6:30 PM; Location Callison Fire Department · Northwest October 10th, 6:30 PM; Location: Northwest Fire Department · Greenwood City October 14th, 6:30 PM; Location: S. Main Fire Station · Coronoca October 22, 6:30 PM; Location: Coronaca Fire Department These meetings are free to the public and all Greenwood County Residents are encouraged to at-tend. For questions regarding the public forums contact the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce at 864-223-8431. {related_content_uuid}f0cc3395-9415-49a6-b572-f3b59c27f061{/related_content_uuid}
Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 17, 2024
By RENEE ORTIZ rortiz@indexjournal.com
Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/chamber-president-hopes-to-get-more-people-to-hear-cpst-message/article_fb7d30a0-743c-11ef-9b1d-4725373a1d06.html
