Greenwood County Council honors The Salvation Army in Greenwood for its 100th anniversary

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For 100 years, The Salvation Army has ministered to the needy in the community. Greenwood County Council honored the organization Tuesday for its achievement.

“We are so proud of what The Salvation Army has meant to Greenwood,” Chairperson Steve Brown said.

As Brown read the proclamation, he asked the two pastors who serve on council — Vice Chairperson Chuck Moates and Council members Melissa Spencer — to present the proclamation to Maj. Jason Hughes.

“We appreciate what you do,” Brown said to Hughes.

The organization distributed more than 150,000 pounds of food in the last years and more than 1 million pounds of food in the history of the organization’s time in Greenwood County.

“They give hope to individuals,” Brown said.

Hughes said he and the organization were blessed to be in this community.

“The Salvation Army is a tool that can be used by each community,” Hughes said.

Moates was reminded of scripture when thinking about the work of the organization.

“You put flesh to Jesus’ words,” Moates said as he quoted Matthew 25:40.

Council approved a contract with Palmetto Group Construction to construct the enhancements to the J.C. Boozer Athletic Facility as funded by the 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax. Josh Skinner, the county’s CPST coordinator, provided council with the final numbers for the contract. The county’s final cost estimate for the contract was $884,473, just under the project’s budget of $887,994.

Skinner said the amount would cover renovating the facility to the site plan that was approved and offer better lighting for ballfields. However, the amount does not include a centralized restroom facility or renovations to the existing restrooms. Those specific parts of the project will be rebid and will be funded from another yet-to-be determined source.

Council members voted to approve the conversion of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with the Eaton facility on West Alexander Road. County Economic Development Director James Bateman said the conversion was to bring the FILOT up to the current simple fee process that the county has been using in recent years.

Council approved the rezoning of more than 41 acres at 3600 Old Laurens Road from R-1 residential zoning to light industrial zoning. The property is owned by Greenwood CPW and was recently de-annexed from the Greenwood City limits. CPW plans to develop the property into a pad-ready site for a future economic development tenant.

Council approved a resolution giving preliminary approval to incentives for an industrial solar farm — code name Project Cosmos — on first reading in title only to an ordinance related to a FILOT agreement on the project.

Council approved an ordinance on second reading that would allow Self Regional Healthcare to refinance revenue bonds to gain a lower interest rate. Self’s Chief Financial Officer Tim Evans said the refinance would save $6 million.

Council also approved the purchase of three trucks for the roads department using funds saved from staffing vacancies in the department.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:May 5, 2021

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/greenwood-county-council-honors-the-salvation-army-in-greenwood-for-its-100th-anniversary/article_9495f69a-0b1e-5726-a5da-1eb318ea5c4e.html

CPST rakes in record revenue with latest check

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Greenwood County received another record quarterly haul of revenue from the 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax.

“It’s the highest amount we have received to date,” CPST coordinator Josh Skinner said at Tuesday’s County Council meeting.

April’s check from the state Department of Revenue totaled $2,748,986.51.The revenue is based on sales tax collected between December and February. This revenue beat the previous record set in October 2020 — $2,745,695.30 — by just under $3,300.

“This quarter’s revenue continues to show the strength of the economy in Greenwood County,” Greenwood County Manager Toby Chappell said in an email. “The CPST overall continues to move closer to the initial projection with each of these with each of these quarterly revenue installments.”

In 2016, Greenwood County voters approved the penny sales tax to raise $87,938,185 to fund 27 unique capital projects.

“The County Treasurer is projecting that we will reach $83,734,000,” Chappell said. “Which would mean that only one project would not be fully funded.”

Chappell said the Highway 25 South waterline — a $4,895,548 project — would not be accomplished based on the projection. However, Chappell stressed this is only a projection and is subject to fluctuations in the economy, consumer spending habits and other events affecting the Greenwood area.

The outlook for the projects continues to look better. In August, Chappell announced the anticipated shortfall was not as bad as it seemed at only $10 million rather than $20 million. With increased growth in revenue over the past couple of months, the potential shortfall is down to just over $4 million.

Skinner said in an email that close to $2 million of revenue will go to the Highway 246 widening project for pre-construction costs concerning design and engineering. Last month, Greenwood County Council approved the signing of an intergovernmental agreement with SCDOT to administer the project. Skinner said he is waiting on SCDOT to sign the agreement. The project should take about three weeks to complete.

The remaining $827,500.51 in funds from this month’s payment will go to the Ninety Six Mill Village Storm Water Drainage repair. Skinner said a request for qualifications for engineering services was put out earlier this week.

Greenwood County Council approved a contract with The Gordon Group to construct the volunteer fire station on Miller Road in Hodges. Greenwood County Fire Chief Steve Holmes said the station will be a one-bay station and will help extend fire coverage in the area.

Council also approved the purchase of 0.5 acres on Morgan Road in Hodges for $5,000 to construct another volunteer fire station which would add 103 structures to the fire protection map. This is the final station in the fire master plan to have service for 99.6% of the structures in the county, Skinner said.

The design for the J.C. Boozer Athletic Complex might have hit a snag in the bidding process. Skinner said there was only one bidder for the project and the bid price was more than $500,000 over budget. The project manager, Fred Guthier from ADC Engineering, and Brad Cuttill, director of parks and recreation, met with the winning bidder, Palmetto Group Construction, to get the bid lowered to about $345,000 over budget.

“We appreciate Palmetto Group working with us on that because being the only bid they really didn’t have to,” Skinner said.

Skinner said removing the central concessions and restroom facility from the project is an option to get the project under budget. This would result in the bid being $5,000 under budget.

“It would be sad if we spent the money on everything else and then left the old facilities there,” Chairman Steve Brown said.

Skinner said Cuttill has looked at renovating the current concessions building at a reduced cost but would still result in the project being over budget by the cost of renovation.

“We did plan on having that central restroom, concession,” Skinner said.

Councilman Mark Allison said changing the design of the fields by placing the spectator stands in the center will cut down on the distance of the walk to the old concession building.

“That building as you have said is in terrible condition,” Allison said. “But, I do think it is salvageable.”

Allison said using the old concession building can save money. He said $30,000 was dedicated to extending plumbing to the central concession stand while $50,000 would be used to construct a fire lane to the building, both of which would be saved if the county focuses on renovating the old structure.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Apr 26, 2021

By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/cpst-rakes-in-record-revenue-with-latest-check/article_ac4b4905-6ea7-5b46-a6dd-704761a851dc.html

Greenwood County expands coverage of new records management system

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Greenwood County is one step closer to a countywide records management system.

Greenwood County Council voted unanimously approving a resolution allowing to allow the county to enter into a contract with Caliber Public Safety to create a countywide RMS at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The original contract with Caliber included Greenwood Police Department and Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office mobile units as well as the E-911 system.

“They will add in the jail, the county sheriff’s office, the city police department along with Ware Shoals police and Ninety Six police for a total $540,000,” Josh Skinner, Capital Project Sales Tax project coordinator, said at the council meeting.

This would account for $780,000 in savings as the amount allocated for the project was approved at $1,326,535, Skinner said.

Council’s approval is contingent upon the other entities — mainly the Ninety Six Town Council and Ware Shoals Town Council — approving of the plan. Skinner made the presentation before leaving to go to the Ware Shoals Town Council meeting on Tuesday evening to seek its approval.

Skinner said he will seek Ninety Six’s approval next week.

The contract includes five years of annual service for Ware Shoals and Ninety Six and one year of annual service for the Greenwood Police Department, Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office and the jail.

The RMS will allow for law enforcement agencies in the county to share records with one another as well as share with agencies nationwide, information provided by Skinner said.

Skinner was not alone in working on the project. Danny Byrd, IT director for the City of Greenwood, worked with Caliber to secure this contract.

“Danny thank you for your work on that,” Councilman Theo Lane said. “You saved the county about three-quarters of a million dollars.”

Council also approved an intergovernmental agreement between the county and SCDOT for funding and administering the Highway 246 widening project.

Both projects were approved by county voters in 2016 as part of the Capital Project Sales Tax.

CPST recorded its third-highest revenue collection at $2,537,159 — just behind the $2.575 million reported in April 2020 and the $2.7 million collected in October 2020.

“A little less than our record,” Skinner said. “But we are still trending upward.”

The 1% sales tax has yielded $32,863,820.55 to date.

Skinner reported to council on the status of CPST projects.

“Parks are out of conceptual phase and moving into the actual construction and design phase,” Skinner said.

He said the plan for Grace Street is to demolish the old CPW water treatment plant to create a parking lot for the rest of the park.

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Site is now fully funded.

“They found a little extra money,” Skinner said.

Council also presented a proclamation to Anne Craig, former executive director of the Greenwood Arts Council, upon her retirement after 23 years of service.

“Continue to be the bright light and star you are in this community,” Vice Chairman Chuck Moates said.

Craig thanked council for its support over the years.

Council gave its blessing for the county tax assessor to begin the five-year reassessment of properties and also approved a list of roads to be submitted to the County Transportation Committee for funding.

Robert Russian, the county’s public works director, said the list is put together on a worst first basis — having the worst roads at the top of the list for funding.

Council also approved transferring $154,900 from the 2007 Capital Project Sales Tax fund to the Hydro fund to cover additional design work for the Lake Greenwood emergency spillway project.

Rett Templeton, the county’s engineer, said the project is progressing.

“We are getting closer,” he said.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Mar 17, 2021

By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com
Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/greenwood-county-expands-coverage-of-new-records-management-system/article_c7858c40-73b8-5f0f-958e-8786fac62cef.html

Promised Land: A place to call home

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Down Highway 10 toward McCormick, just a few miles outside the bustling Uptown Greenwood, is a community rich with history.

Some call it Promised Land, others call it home.

“When I think of Promised Land, I think of Black folks having a place to call home,” said Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs, who represents the community.

Promised Land is an African American community created by former slaves in the aftermath of the Civil War. Heirs of Samuel Marshall, a white plantation owner, sold the land to the South Carolina Land Commission for $10 per acre. The commission divided up the land into 50 lots and sold them to African Americans.

Many of those in Promised Land are longtime residents.

If you ask Bernice Norman how long she has lived in Promised Land, she will give a short answer: “All my life.”

“I grew up in Promised Land,” she said.

Norman, who just turned 86 years old, said her parents also lived in Promised Land most of their lives.

“I have always enjoyed living in the Promised Land because most people in the Promised Land know each other,” Norman said.

She said younger people have moved to the area but there are still a number of older folks living in the community. She said many in the community attend either Mt. Zion AME Church or Cross Roads Baptist Church. Cross Roads Baptist Church purchased its property in 1892, according to information obtained through Greenwood County’s GIS system.

“Most of the people got to know one another through the church,” Norman said. “I grew up in a very religious family and they believed in attending church.”

Norman, who grew up in a family of eight, said her father was a farmer.

“We just enjoyed being together,” Norman said.

She said she was proud of the achievements of the community organization which included building and staffing a fire department.

As a child, she said she had to walk to school — Promised Land Elementary when it was a two-room school behind Cross Road Baptist Church. When it was time for her to go to Brewer High School, she had to find a way to get to school.

“A man that bought a bus and your parents had to pay him a little something for you to ride to Brewer High School every week on the bus,” Norman said.

She said it was difficult because people did not have a lot of money back then.

Some residents of Promised Land live across Greenwood County’s border with Abbeville County. Over the years, efforts have been made to annex the properties that fall on the Abbeville County side.

“I feel that they haven’t been getting any service from Abbeville County,” Donald “Boot” Robinson, Greenwood County’s first Black county councilman, told the Index-Journal in 1980. “It’s a taxation without representation.”

Robinson, who served two terms on council during the late 1970s, also was instrumental in securing water lines for Promised Land.

Last year, Promised Land lost two longtime advocates. Robinson died in June and longtime Greenwood County School District 50 board member Claude Wright died in September. Wright had been an active member of the Promised Land Association.

“Promised Land — those are some good folks,” Childs said.

Childs estimated that 80-85% of residents own their homes.

“It was an opportunity for them,” Childs said.

Childs said she would like to see the community do something with the old school building.

“It was given for them to grow,” Childs said.

In 1999, District 50 deeded the 3.33-acre property to the Promised Land Association.

Some progress has been made on renovating the school building but the COVID-19 pandemic has caused things to shut down.

“We had set up meetings so that they could come out and talk with the community,” Promised Land Association president Jan Williams said. “But again, the pandemic came up and we agreed to hold off until a later date.”

In July, Tonya Haddock, managing member of Cadence Development LLC, presented a plan to buy the Promised Land School and restore it to its original condition but for new uses such as housing.

Williams said the association would like to see it used as a community center that would provide activities for senior citizens and for after school programs.

“I was hoping that they could take that school and make something out of it,” Norman said. “It’s been there a long time.”

Williams said her organization, formed in 1977, has about 25 members.

In 2016, Greenwood County voters approved $66,326 for the construction of a pedestrian trail in the Promised Land community as part of the Capital Project Sales Tax initiative.

“We expect to have the CPST revenue for the Promised Land Walking Track in October 2021,” Josh Skinner, capital projects coordinator for Greenwood County, said in an email.

Skinner said bids for the project will most likely go out in August or September so that a contractor is ready to go when the funds come in.

The pedestrian trail would be 1,340 feet of walking path constructed around the Promised Land ballfield. It would be used for health and fitness particularly for seniors, the application for funding said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much of the progress the community was making toward renovating certain features of the area to be halted.

“At this time, nothing is going on because of COVID,” Williams said. “We are not even having meetings.”

Williams said the association had planned to have a day of fun but the pandemic caused that to be canceled.

She said the association hopes to get back to work when the pandemic is over.

Contact staff writer James Hicks at jhicks@indexjournal.com or on Twitter @jameshicks3.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on: Feb 6, 2021

By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/promised-land-a-place-to-call-home/article_503e4032-1a44-517a-aec5-cef3ae97126a.html

County Council cuts the ribbon at NGIP

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One of the largest projects on the 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax initiative slate of projects is the construction of a spec building at the North Greenwood Industrial Park. On Friday, Greenwood County Council cut the ribbon on that key economic development project.

“It’s been a countywide effort,” CPST coordinator Josh Skinner said.

The 100,000-square-foot building features 112 pre-cast insulated concrete panels, 40 VELUX skylights, four loading dock doors installed by Lakeland Overhead Door and a 50,000-square-foot pad in the back for expansion, Skinner said.

Greenwood County interim economic development director James Bateman said this is the first of three new Palmetto Sites in South Carolina.

The Palmetto Sites program is run by the state Department of Commerce. The program checks industrial sites for tenant readiness and gives the designation for sites that pass. Only three other sites have been given this designation.

This spec building gives Greenwood County something it has been missing out on.

“Greenwood County has been missing new Class A industrial product for a long time,” Bateman said. “Now we are no longer missing those opportunities.”

Councilman Theo Lane, who represents the area where the building is located, agreed.

“In 2015, the Greenwood County Council had the vision to realize we were losing out on opportunities for visits from site selection professionals,” Lane said. “Our success in Greenwood County had made us short on product.”

The spec building is on Highway 25 in Hodges just north of Diana Pet Food, Colgate-Palmolive and Caterpillar.

“I feel great that we could about accommodate everyone’s needs who want to call Greenwood home,” Lane said.

Lane said the building can be expanded by 100,000 square feet depending on the needs of the industrial tenants.

“This is a good size building, 100,000 square feet with expansion options,” Trey Pennington, senior vice president of advisory and transaction services at CBRE, said. “It gives you a lot of options to attract businesses.”

CBRE has been contracted by the county to market the spec building worldwide.

Pennington said the market for industrial sites is very good right now. Bringing in an industrial tenant will not only bring tax revenue but also could provide more jobs.

“It’s going to help Greenwood attract businesses,” Pennington said.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Nov 21, 2020

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/county-council-cuts-the-ribbon-at-ngip/article_03f0d7aa-2a0e-52e0-ba85-f3e08102b4ce.html

CPST receives record revenue

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Greenwood County saw its largest payment of revenue from the Capital Project Sales Tax in October.

“We are glad to see the economy turn around,” Greenwood County manager Toby Chappell said. “It obviously helps the Capital Project Sales Tax.”

The county received $2,745,695.30 in its October 2020 payment, which was an increase from the July 2020 payment where only $2,152,632.49 was collected.

“It clearly rebounded from July to October,” Chappell said.

October’s revenue eclipsed the project’s record of $2,575,580.04 set in April 2020.

The outlook for the project is continually looking better. In August, Chappell announced the anticipated shortfall was not as bad as it had once seemed at only $10 million rather than $20 million.

While there is still a question of how many projects will ultimately get finished, a number have already been completed. Capital Project Sales Tax Coordinator Josh Skinner provided an update on the project list:

The Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence on the campus of Piedmont Technical College and the implementation of a countywide public safety radio system have been completed. The county signed a contract Thursday with Davis and Floyd to begin the construction of parks for Hodges, Troy, Magnolia, Foundry and Grace Street, Skinner said in an email.

A contractor has been selected for the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Site, however, extra funds are still being sought to meet the contract bid amount. The Lake Greenwood Master Plan final plan designs will be presented to Greenwood County Council in December.

The athletic facility upgrades projects are in Phase 1. Construction is complete on a new basketball court and walking paths in Young Park in Ware Shoals. The design for the J.C. Boozer Athletic Complex is at 90% with bidding tentatively scheduled for early next year, Skinner said.

The North Greenwood Industrial Park spec building on Highway 25 has been completed.

The next set of revenue payments in January and April of 2021 will go to the next project: widening Highway 246. The next two payments will be directed toward the Ninety Six Storm Water Drainage repair and to finish paying for fire trucks and volunteer fire stations, Skinner said.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Nov 13, 2020

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/cpst-receives-record-revenue/article_96244c95-6984-5227-9eeb-8afc4de63352.html

Public meetings

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MONDAY

GREENWOOD CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: 520 Monument St., Room 207

AGENDA: Consider executive session to discuss performance review of the city manager and a contractual matter with the Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works. Consider resolution number 23-010 authorizing Christmas gifts for city employees.

TUESDAY

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 3 p.m. executive session, 5:30 p.m. regular public meeting

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library

AGENDA: Presentations — Update of veterans affairs projects and events, Rosalind Burke, Veterans Service Officer and Dale Kittles, Chairman of Hall of Heroes Board. Old business — Third reading: 1. Ordinance 2023-15 to amend the Greenwood County Zoning Map, as and if amended, so that two parcels of land totaling approximately 1.66 acres owned by Skippers Marine, Inc. at 4408 Highway 72/221, Greenwood, S.C. changes from RDD to C-2. 2. Consideration of appointment of members to the joint planning commission: District 1 confirmation of Christine martin, District 3 re-appointment of Felicia Kianrd-Hull, District 6 appointment — vacant. Public hearing: Consideration of boundary line agreement for 1006 Ligon Road and 1008 Ligon Road. New business: A. Consideration of Palmetto Crossing request pertaining to the boat docks and parking spaces in the area of Gateway Landing. B. Consideration of adopting Policy 6.4 — holiday leave C. Consideration of exception to policy 10.4 — procurement policy for Project Cardinal D. Capital Project Sales Tax Quarterly Update E. Consideration of the proposal from Stewart Cooper Newell and Davis & Floyd for the programming, master planning and site assessment for the Public Safety Training Center. F. Consideration of the proposal from Woolpert Engineering for a Greenwood County Watershed Study G. Consideration of the appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners for the following submidivsion: Saddle Hill, Jonathan Creswell; Quail Run, Ann Holzhaur; Quail Run, Nancy Bruce; Forest Hills, Dennis Hammett. H. Resolution 2023-26 to amend the FY24 budget for expenditure related to ARPA funds. I Resolution 2023-27 to amend the FY24 budget for expenditure of surplus funds. J. Resolution 2023-28 creating a Commission to select capital projects to be funded by a proposed re-imposition of a capital project sales tax.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Nov 3, 2023

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/community/public-meetings/public-meetings/article_75571904-7a8d-11ee-8462-9bf37a1c3614.html

Our View: Some good news emerges, despite pandemic’s rage

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What a difference a year makes. Or can make.

Despite how incredibly difficult a year 2020 has been, especially as we all endure the effects the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dole out heading into the third of four quarters of the year, Greenwood County had some surprising good news to share this past week.

A year ago, during the Greenwood SC Chamber’s annual State of the City and County address, Steve Brown, County Council chairman, noted the Capital Project Sales Tax initiative was not tracking as well as had been anticipated. In fact, it turned out, the county was then predicting the penny sales tax might fall short of its goal by as much as $20 million. If that were the case, then nearly a full third of projects the special tax was to pay for would have been left on the table.

At the same forum this year, Greenwood County Manager Toby Chappell gave a more upbeat projection, saying that even if anticipated revenue from the tax remains flat — which he said is an unlikely scenario — the deficit would be half of last year’s projection.

Chappell said the county has seen growth each year.

“For example, over the last year we saw 5.4% growth even with COVID hampering sales,” Chappell told the Index-Journal for a story published Sunday.

Greenwood County voters rallied behind the CPST initiative, seeing value in the numerous countywide projects it would fund. No doubt many were dismayed to learn particular projects they supported might not come to pass.

While this newspaper supported the initiative, we too were disheartened to hear the initial shortfall predictions. But we are buoyed upon learning things might not be nearly as dire as thought a year ago. Who knows, but perhaps growth will exceed everyone’s expectations and the county will emerge with nearly all projects funded after all.

Councilman Theo Lane summed up the current picture well in Sunday’s story, saying “… Greenwood voters made a wise and prudent decision that’s placed us in a much better position from the standpoint of public safety, quality of life, workforce development, economic development. It’s all coming to fruition now and will only get stronger with the passing of time and collection of dollars that allow for more investment.”

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 9, 2020

 Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/opinion/editorials/our-view-some-good-news-emerges-despite-pandemics-rage/article_1d0636b2-32d8-51c2-805a-6651ae81b4c4.html

Chappell: CPST’s potential deficit shrinking, projects being completed

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Assuming revenue from capital project sales tax collections remains flat, Greenwood County officials estimate the penny tax will bring in $10 million less than initially projected — up from an anticipated $20 million shortfall forecast this time last year.

Greenwood County Manager Toby Chappell made the announcement Aug. 28 during the State of the City/County presentation, the same platform used to acknowledge the potential shortfall in 2019.

To reach that figure, the county took the past four quarters of collections and adjusted for COVID-19 and internet sales.

Chappell provided a breakdown of the revenues received from the Capital Project Sales Tax by quarter to explain how this figure was reached. The July 2020 collection is the first where the county sees the effect of COVID-19, Chappell said. July’s collection was $2,152,632. To calculate an estimate for future collections that adjusted for a pandemic-related reduction in revenue, the county took the average of October 2019 and January 2020. April’s revenue was excluded because it is always higher than most quarters because of Christmas holiday shopping.

The new revenue projection for July in future years is $2,417,471. Once July’s new figure is included with the other three quarters the total is $9,827,994 or $2,456,998 per quarter on average. When this figure is added with the existing collections and interest, it projects a total revenue of $77,455,845, which results in a $10,482,340 deficit.

Chappell said the $10 million deficit is based on a zero increase in collections for the next 20 quarters. He said this is unlikely because the county has seen growth each year.

“For example, over the last year we saw 5.4% growth even with COVID hampering sales,” Chappell said in an email.

The 5.4% growth was comparing collections from October 2019 to July 2019 to those from October 2019 to July 2020.

Completed, in-progress projectsCPST projects completed to date include Piedmont Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, a $6 million project, and the implementation of a countywide public safety radio system, a nearly $5 million project.

Several projects are in the design phase. The conceptual plans on all of the parks in phase one of the parks and trails project have been completed and design firms are beginning to design. Conceptual plans on the Lake Greenwood Master Plan have been presented to County Council and the design firm are working on a design plan.

A design team is working on a conceptual design for the J.C. “Fox” Boozer Sports Complex as part of the athletic facilities renovation project. The county can start working on Young Park in Ware Shoals at any time.

Design work has been completed on the Benjamin E. Mays Historical site expansion. The county is working on bringing the cost in line with the budget.

The North Greenwood Industrial Park spec building is expected to be completed in November, finishing phase one of that project.

The Town of Ware Shoals has obtained its DHEC permit for its treatment lines and it is working on easement acquisition.

Ninety Six Commissioners of Public Works have selected a design team and are in the environment review process with DHEC on replacing water lines in the town.

Two new fire stations have opened as part of the Fire Master Plan phase one. The Bradley Fire Station opened in April and the new station on Carter Road opened Friday. Apparatus for each fire station has been purchased and is in use.

‘Wise and prudent decision’At the opening of the Carter Road fire station Friday, Chairman Steve Brown took the opportunity to thank county residents for supporting the penny sales tax.

“We are also appreciative of the people of Greenwood County,” Brown said.

He said voters came together in supporting the tax so that services could be provided to other places in the county.

Councilman Theo Lane said in a phone interview about the Capital Project Sales Tax that voters made the right decision.

“I just think it is very clear now that the Greenwood voters made a wise and prudent decision that’s placed us in a much better position from the standpoint of public safety, quality of life, workforce development, economic development,” Lane, who chaired the CPST marketing effort for the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce, said. “It’s all coming to fruition now and will only get stronger with the passing of time and collection of dollars that allow for more investment.”

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 6, 2020

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/chappell-cpsts-potential-deficit-shrinking-projects-being-completed/article_3f0ac2d6-2695-5213-ad87-576fda753be9.html

New fire station opens on Carter Road

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Greenwood County took one more step Friday toward the goal of countywide fire protection.

“This will be the official opening,” Josh Skinner, Greenwood County capital project sales tax coordinator, said about the fire station on Carter Road.

Chairman Steve Brown and Councilman Mark Allison joined county staff, volunteer firemen and the Carter family to open the new fire station.

“We just want to say to the Carter family thank you, thank you, thank you,” Brown said.

Allison also thanked the Carter family.

“Thank you to the Carter family,” Allison said. “I live down on Kinard Road so this is close to home, this is home, so thank you.”

Brown said the land where the fire station sits belonged to Gene Carter and was part of the estate of his father, Eddie. Gene donated the land so the county could build the fire station.

Gene helped his mother, Donna, cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the station while Donna’s grandchildren, Ella and Owen, held one end of the ribbon and Fire Chief Jerry Roberts held the other.

“We owe a big debt of gratitude to these volunteer firemen,” Brown said.

Brown said volunteer firefighters have to complete more than 200 hours of training before they can enter a fire station.

“Now we are going to turn this station over to this cadre of volunteers that’s going to make these services happen down here in this community,” Brown said.

Roberts, who has been a fireman for 48 years, said it is difficult to get volunteer firefighters these days.

Brown said he appreciates Greenwood County residents voting for the penny sales tax that funded this project.

“This is what community is all about,” Brown said.

This fire station is at 1901 Carter Road in the Lower Lake district in Ninety Six.

This is the second fire station to open as part of Greenwood County’s Fire Master Plan. County Council on Tuesday approved a contract for the addition and renovation of Medic 30 EMS station on Highway 25 South.

After Medic 30, the county will have three more fire station projects, Skinner said. Two of the three projects have land while the county is still seeking land for the third project.

When finished, the county will have 99.6% of homes within five miles of fire station.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 5, 2020

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/new-fire-station-opens-on-carter-road/article_5e6769cc-4aff-5e58-aea0-cf12955c68ae.html