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Council approves tourism tax amendment, Mark Anthony Brewing option and I‑77 park expansion; authorizes negotiation on Columbia Place Mall property
Summary
Council approved a tourism/accommodation tax amendment for down‑payment assistance, authorized an option to Mark Anthony Brewing and expanded the I‑77 Corridor industrial park; after executive session the council authorized the administrator to negotiate on a Columbia Place Mall property inquiry.
Richland County Council approved multiple economic development items Tuesday and, following executive session, authorized the county administrator to negotiate on a property inquiry related to the Columbia Place Mall.
Budget and tourism tax amendment: The council approved a budget amendment (agenda item 14a) to amend the tourism development and accommodation tax funds in the FY2025 budget. The chair explained the amendment implements a prior motion permitting use of up to 15% of accommodation tax receipts for down‑payment assistance targeted at county employees, EMS personnel and school teachers, following an update to state law. Council approved the amendment on a recorded vote.
Mark Anthony Brewing option: Council authorized granting an option to Mark Anthony Brewing Inc. to acquire certain county property and to transfer that property once conditions in the option agreement are satisfied (agenda item 14b). A council member explained this action continues an incentive discussion that began in 2020, referencing land and earlier commitments tied to the company’s investment plans.
I‑77 Corridor expansion and public infrastructure credits: Council agreed to expand the boundaries of the I‑77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park jointly administered with Fairfield County to include property in Richland County and authorized a public infrastructure credit agreement related to Killian Woods Development, LLC (agenda item 14c). Staff confirmed the property is located in District 7.
Executive session follow-up: After an executive session the council voted to authorize the county administrator to negotiate regarding a property discussed in executive session (item 7b, property inquiry — Columbia Place Mall). The motion passed with one abstention recorded from a council member who said they had not been present for that portion of the executive session discussion.
Votes at a glance - Item 14a (tourism/accommodation tax budget amendment): motion approved on recorded vote. - Item 14b (option to Mark Anthony Brewing, Inc.): motion approved. - Item 14c (I‑77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park expansion and infrastructure credit): motion approved. - Executive session item 7b (authorize administrator to negotiate on Columbia Place Mall property): motion approved; one abstention noted.
Council members recorded votes on each item during the meeting. Specific motion makers and seconders were not identified in the hearing transcript for all actions.
