Developer asks county to fund lift station so Publix, Zaxby’s and other businesses can proceed

Scott Stewart asked the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday to use year-end and discretionary public dollars to finish a public lift station and connect water and sewer to his South County commercial site so potential tenants including Publix and Zaxby—s can open. Stewart said he has utilities and roads under the main access now and estimates he can have roads, utilities and a lift station in place so tenants can begin construction by early 2026 if the county provides the final funding piece for the lift station. "If I don't get water sewer down there, I guarantee that they're not going to come," Stewart told the commissioners. The request to commissioners was for a three-year equivalent of projected tax revenue the city pledged as a credit (about $370,000) plus a county contribution that Stewart and his consultant said would total roughly $588,000; Stewart and his team said the full lift-station cost will be higher and that he expects to contribute additional private funds. Why it matters: county staff and several commissioners said the project could add jobs and taxable value quickly if the lift station and hookups are completed. Debbie Benefield, who handled real-estate and valuation estimates for the proposal, estimated potential new taxable value in excess of $25 million and put the annual tax revenue to the county at about $196,000 and to the city at about $122,000 based on comparisons with similar developments. What commissioners said: Commissioners did not vote on the request at the workshop. Several commissioners, including Commissioner Ford and Commissioner Kirby, expressed support in principle and requested staff and the county—s economic development board follow standard procedures. County staff said $500,000 has already been committed toward getting sewer under State Road 47 and that staff could identify the appropriate fund source for further contributions. "We commit up to $500,000 on the, getting the sewer underneath 47," a county official told the meeting. Staff direction and next steps: Commissioners asked county staff to present the request to the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) or to call a special EDAB meeting, conduct a formal score-sheet review and identify any conditions or matching requirements. Commissioners also noted that even if the board were inclined to fund the project with year-end funds, charter rules require budgeting such funds beginning Oct. 1 and that a formal incentive agreement would be negotiated under applicable county procedure. Developer and tenant commitments: Zaxby—s licensee Matt Carlton told the board he has signed a franchise agreement, paid a franchise fee, engaged an engineer and estimated roughly 100 jobs from multiple tenants; he said he would open about 100 days after infrastructure is in place. Stewart said other potential tenants under negotiation include McDonald—s, Tractor Supply and smaller fast-food and service businesses; he cautioned there is no firm commitment from Publix yet, and that the project could stall if the lift station is not finished. Budget and timing considerations: County staff clarified that the board cannot legally spend year-end funds until after they are budgeted (Oct. 1) but that using year-end funds is one available avenue. Commissioners asked for an EDAB review and for staff to return with a formal proposal and contract language. No formal action or dollar commitment was made at the workshop; commissioners provided general interest and asked staff to follow the county—s economic incentive and budgeting processes. Ending: Commissioners directed staff to vet the request through EDAB and to return with a timeline, recommended conditions and a draft incentive agreement so the board can consider a formal request at a future meeting.