Recently elected Laurens County Council members Arthur Lee Philson Jr. and Justin Lane participated in their 1st council meeting last night. Philson now represents Seat 7 on council after defeating Diane Anderson in the election. Justin Lane represents District 7 after his defeat of David Tribble in a run-off election.
County Attorney Wes Meetze opened the meeting and conducted the election leadership for the next two years of council. Jeffrey Carroll from District 5 was elected as Chair of Council with a 7 – 0 vote. Matthew Brownlee of Council District 2 was elected as Vice-Chair with a vote of 5 – 2.
County gave approvals for two new industrial developments in the county.
A third reading approval was given for “Project Ponderosa” last night. Jonathan Coleman of the Laurens County Development Corporation explained that this is to be a solar farm Duke Energy plans to construct off U.S. 76 between Clinton and Joanna. The final vote of approval establishes a FILOT agreement between the county and the project. He said Duke is to pay $150,000 each year in fees, in place of property taxes, for the first ten years. In years eleven through twenty, they’re to pay $237,000 a year. In years twenty-one through thirty, Coleman said the FILOT paid each year is to be $225,000.
While the 3rd reading was final approval for the new Solar Farm, County Council gave a 2nd reading approval for “Project Portland.” Mr. Coleman explained this project is to expand and rename facilities already in place near Gray Court on Frontage Road. He said the company involved is to invest 22 million dollars at the plant and is to hire 22 new employees. Obtaining the FILOT plan for Project Portland awaits a successful vote on 3rd reading at a future council meeting.