‘Project iFactory’ represents $9.1M investment, 180 new jobs in Greenwood | News

A company could invest $ 9.1 million in Greenwood County and create 180 new jobs.

“Project iFactory,” as it was called by county officials, represents one or more companies that wish to bring facilities to Greenwood County. The county council unanimously approved a resolution approving work on a tax and incentive agreement between the county and the company that would provide the company with a 20-year FILOT contract with a millage rate set at 6%, including other incentives.

In return, Project iFactory is expected to represent a $ 9.1 million capital investment in Greenwood County that will create 180 new full-time jobs. While the council passed a resolution approving the agreement on Tuesday, the council only had first reading on the regulation for it. The council also had a first reading on an ordinance extending the boundaries of the Greenwood-Newberry Industrial Park to include land related to the iFactory project.

The first readings are only in the title and the regulations did not provide details on the nature or location of Project iFactory or any companies involved.

The council also had a first reading on an ordinance amending the planned development area on Wingert Road to allow for a car scrapyard on C&C Metal Recycling’s property. Other first reading ordinances included one defining the process for electing the chairman and vice chairman of Greenwood County Council, another lifting the county’s moratorium on “small houses,” and an ordinance rezoning the property along the road Highway 25 North owned by Eaton to bring it in line with neighboring properties.

The council had an ordinance on second reading to rededicate approximately 28 acres of land along Sagewood Road, a move that would allow up to 122 single-family homes to be built on the property. The rezoning would change the minimum land size from 15,000 square feet to 10,000.

Beattie Development is developing the property, and realtor Bubba Harvin spoke to Remax during a public hearing in support of the rezoning.

“The problem we encountered is that the economy with an R-1 zoning just doesn’t work,” he said. “We have a housing shortage in Greenwood.”

He said the zoning will allow for smaller lots and place more houses on the property. He said Beattie Development plans to install 73 lots on these approximately 28 acres at a price range of $ 225,000 to $ 300,000. Harvin said there was a lack of affordable housing in Greenwood and this could help address the housing shortage.

“Who is this affordable for?” Asked Tim Dixon, who spoke out against the rezoning.

Dixon lives on Sagewood Road near the new estate and said while he agrees there is a housing shortage, he wonders if houses in this price range will be a dent for most people. He cited data from the US Census Bureau, which lists Greenwood’s median household income at around $ 42,000. He also said that more than 70 new homes on Sagewood Road would populate an otherwise quiet section of Greenwood County.

“If you count two cars per house, that’s 140 cars added to that area,” he said.

The council unanimously approved the second reading of the re-zoning, but Councilor Robbie Templeton asked to suspend a third and final reading until the council learns more about planned developments in the area. Planning Director Phil Lindler said the council would have to vote on an upcoming motion to reallocate an additional approximately 80 acres of adjacent land that is also earmarked for development.

Councilor Theo Lane was unanimously elected vice chairman after Chuck Moates became council chairman following the death of Steve Brown.

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance dissolving the special tax district for lost bait.

Moates read and presented a proclamation to Leath Correctional Officer Patricia Jones-Yeldell recognizing the Leath month of recovery.

The council approved three new commissioners for the Raintree Special Tax District and two new lodging tax commissioners. District treasurer Steffanie Dorn said the tax commission for accommodations still had a seat to fill, but is asking for recommendations.

Contact author Damian Dominguez at 864-634-7548 or follow @IJDDOMINGUEZ on Twitter.