Committee adds Project Catalyst to executive session, moves into closed session over commercial development

The Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee voted to add Project Catalyst to an executive session agenda item and then entered executive session to receive legal advice about a commercial development incentive program, according to motions recorded during the meeting.

Committee members cited South Carolina statutory authority for closed sessions and identified three development matters for discussion: "20 2 20 1 Divine Street," Project Sparrow and Project Catalyst. The committee also reintroduced and approved the Jan. 28, 2025, committee meeting minutes by voice vote.

A committee member moved to add Project Catalyst to executive session item 3, described in the meeting as "discussion of matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, and provision of services, encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body pursuant to SC code 34 78 5." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Mr. Brennan, a committee member, then moved "to enter into executive session for receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney client privilege," explicitly referencing "SD code 34 78 2" and the committee's commercial development incentive program. The motion listed three matters for the closed session: "20 2 20 1 Divine Street, Project Sparrow, and Project Catalyst." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Earlier in the meeting a committee member reintroduced a motion to approve the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee minutes from Jan. 28, 2025; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Following the recorded "ayes," the committee entered executive session. No substantive discussion from the closed session was disclosed in the public record in the provided transcript.