Rock Hill seeks York County backing to leverage state site‑enhancement grant for International Drive completion

City of Rock Hill staff told the York County Economic Development Committee that the city intends to apply for a state site‑enhancement grant to finish International Drive, an access road serving Aspen Park and several business sites, and asked for county support to make the application more competitive.

Jason Flora, identified in the meeting materials as City of Rock Hill staff, briefed the committee on a series of funding attempts for the project. Flora said City planners had initially sought federal CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) funds but were told the project was not eligible under the latest federal guidance. He described a subsequent strategy to pursue a new, statewide site‑enhancement grant program released by the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Flora said the project scope had increased from an earlier estimate of about $6 million. The revised plan as described would build a three‑lane International Drive with sidewalks to unlock additional development parcels; the city is also working with adjacent landowners to add access to a new development site.

Urgency and requested county role

Flora told the committee the Commerce grant round is unusually large and time‑sensitive and that having firm local match commitments would strengthen Rock Hill’s application. He asked the county for a funding commitment — up to $1 million was discussed informally — or at least a clear indication the county would consider participating so the city could include that support in its Sept. 12 application.

A council member moved that the county commit to $1 million and that the county’s economic development director meet with Rock Hill staff to work out details and return to council; some members and staff said the process for such a commitment needed more detail. Committee minutes show there was concern about voting a funding commitment without detailed contractual terms and that the committee lacked the full fiscal information at the meeting.

Executive session and follow up

Committee members then moved to executive session to receive legal advice related to the request; the motion was seconded and carried. Minutes record “no action taken” in executive session. After reconvening in regular session, a motion to take the request under advisement and to direct staff to present information in executive session at the next council meeting carried. The motion passed; committee members requested that staff prepare materials for the council’s consideration and that the county’s economic development director meet with Rock Hill staff before a council decision.

Why this matters

Flora said the project would unlock multiple economic development sites, support recruitment and generate tax revenue linked to new business activity. Completing International Drive is part of Rock Hill’s strategy to create shovel‑ready sites and accelerate investment; Rock Hill staff argued local commitment would leverage a significant state grant opportunity that requires demonstrated partner contributions.

Authorities and funding sources mentioned

- CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program), Federal Highway Administration — cited as originally pursued but later judged ineligible for this project by federal reviewers. - South Carolina Department of Commerce site‑enhancement grant (state economic development program) — newly announced grant round the city intends to pursue; application deadline cited as Sept. 12.

Ending

The committee requested additional fiscal details and a formal staff recommendation to present to full council; staff were directed to return with materials for an upcoming executive session and council meeting to allow Rock Hill to include any county support in its Sept. 12 grant submission.