Industrial park possible catalyst for spec building
“If we can get them here, we can sell them.” That’s the stated mindset of Heather Simmons Jones, chief executive officer for the county’s economic development arm Greenwood Partnership Alliance.
This mentality is driving Greenwood County’s plans to entice businesses to move here through an industrial park, which is why the county paid $645,000 for more than 140 acres on Highway 25 North near Hodges for such a park.
The North Greenwood Industrial Park will neighbor SPF North America, Colgate-Palmolive and UTC Aerospace Systems.
“Seven of the projects received during the month of July that were looking for sites, of those, five submitted to the North Greenwood Industrial Park,” James Bateman, business development manager for the Partnership, said. “So, five out of seven. And, if it were not for the Greenwood County North Industrial Park, we would have only been able to submit on two of those.”
Jones said the Partnership has reached out to projects that showed interest in the industrial site to give the prospective businesses the latest update: the site is now publicly controlled, working on site certification and will receive improvements.
The county previously worked to develop an industrial park where SPF now operates. SPF purchased the interior lot and has invested $12 million in expanding its operation.
The new park awaits site certification from the state Department of Commerce and the county may development a speculative building, which could be built with capital sales tax funds.
Greenwood County Council Chairman Steve Brown announced last month during his State of the County address plans for the county to place a capital sales tax question on the 2016 referendum, which voters will decide during the presidential elections.
Brown included five possible projects for the tax that will be vetted by an appointed committee, including the possible construction of a spec building.
Jones supports building a spec building in the county, which he said is gaining popularity among economic developers and prospective businesses from the attractiveness of having infrastructure and a footprint already in place.
The proposed site plan for the new industrial park includes a phase one optimal site at the front of the property along the highway.
“Whether we’re talking about a shovel- or pad-ready site, whether we’re talking about a shovel- or pad-ready site with a virtual spec building or talking about a shovel- and pad-ready site that becomes a spec building, that’s the targeted area,” Jones said. “It requires the least amount of infrastructure to be run. It has the highest level of visibility. We feel it’s the most optimal point to start the development of the park.”
The Partnership is working with investors and partners to get estimates for clearing, grubbing and grading the site, and is also working with an engineering firm on a conceptual entrance and exit to accommodate trucks.
Council recently approved a memorandum of understanding, which is commonly a first stage of a formal contract, between the county and the Partnership laying out roles for the involved parties as the park moves forward in becoming shovel ready.
Once the site becomes certified, the county will receive and transfer $50,000 from the Department of Commerce to the Partnership as part of its reimbursement program.
“Through our County Council’s investment, we will be able to leverage funds from the state Department of Commerce and other outside entities,” Jones said.
Brown said during an administration and finance meeting last month that there is an understanding that funds from the Partnership and other entities would go only so far toward the industrial part and the county would look into what money was available.
Jones said early estimates put the project anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 for clearing, grubbing, grading and roadwork, while curbing and signage will be looked at later.
Council will soon discuss options for what to do with the proceeds from the property’s sale, including possibly setting aside the funds to support future economic development, after staff reviews each option.
“You can’t sell something you don’t have,” Ray Brooks, president of Piedmont Technical College and Partnership board member, said of the recent acquisition of the industrial park. “It takes somebody with vision to step out and make a decision and invest.
“People are not going to invest in you if you don’t invest in yourself,” he continued. “I think it’s a combination of the county and the city in doing the things they have done in making Greenwood a more attractive location.”
Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Aug 9, 2015
By COLIN RIDDLE criddle@indexjournal.com