Industry to build larger Florence County facility

FLORENCE — Florence County Council has voted to seek quotes for a road extension and stormwater improvements as an industry in the area seeks to build a new, larger facility.

The new site would represent a taxable investment of $2.2 million to $2.5 million, and the industry plans to retain its 60 employees, Florence County Economic Development Partnership Executive Director Joe King wrote in a letter to Florence County Administrator Richard Starks.

The industry, which wasn’t named in county documents, is referred to as “Project Relay.” The business seeks to build on a six-acre site behind the Morning News’ press plant, near the intersection of Enterprise Drive and Range Way in the Florence Industrial Park.

The county estimates the improvements will cost about $125,000 from its Economic Development Capital Project Fund. The city of Florence would extend water and sewer to the site, King wrote in the letter to Starks.

Council voted on the matter Thursday, when all council members were present except for Dr. Morris Anderson, who was ill.

Council on Thursday also approved third and final reading of an ordinance to allow the sale of the former Florence County Library building to a group that plans to offer professional commercial space at the site.

The local private group LIBRIS Redevelopment LLC, which is seeking to preserve the building and looking for tenants, comprises attorneys Ben Zeigler and John Chase and architect Randy Key, all of Florence.

The ordinance gives the corporation a chance to buy the land for its appraised value minus the cost of remediation such as asbestos removal, County Adminstrator Richard Starks said in a previous interview.

Olanta got council’s approval Thursday for the town’s request to use about $20,000 in county infrastructure funds for emergency work on a sewer lift station instead of a water line, for which the money had originally been approved.

Council also unanimously approved a $3.9 million multiyear grant from the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation toward building a new Florence Museum of Art, Science and History.

In addition, council approved a contract for architects with Collins and Associates of Florence to design the new county Voter Registration and Elections building for $75,250.

Florence Public Works Director Drew Griffin gave county council an update on the Florence Tennis Center, which has a target date of March 30, 2010 for completion of its 30 courts. The roughly $5.6 million project is expected to be an “economic generator” by bringing major tournaments to the area, Griffin said.

The county has provided funding to build an access road from Cashua Drive, the city has provided $3 million, and the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation has given a $1.5 million grant over three years, he said.

Council also heard a request from the Housing Authority of Florence for support as it seeks as much as $10 million in Housing and Urban Development grants to build a 162-unit mixed-income development called Rosewood Village off Oakland Avenue in Florence.

The authority is seeking in-kind contributions to match the money it hopes to receive, said Danny Roseborough, the authority’s director of housing operations.

Council Chairman K.G. “Rusty” Smith directed the county administrator to draft a letter to support the project as it seeks the grant.

The city of Florence also has committed as much as $1 million toward the project.

Council also approved $250,000 in recommended allocations of state accommodations tax allocations, which will support local organizations and events that aim to promote tourism.

Council also revived and gave second reading to an ordinance that would give businesses more leeway in the accessory uses they can have in front of their facilities.

The amendment offers flexibility that would make it easier to place an ATM in front of a bank or a vacuum in front of a car wash while still tightening up on setbacks in backyards that adjoin residential areas, councilman James Schofield said in a committee meeting Thursday morning.

On the Web: Florence County, http://www.florenceco.org