Council approves incentive agreement for Chandler Construction’s $10.1M expansion

Greenwood County’s council unanimously approved an amended infrastructure credit agreement on Oct. 7 to support a local expansion by Chandler Construction and affiliated Pipeline Development under the name “Project Star.” James Bateman, the county’s economic development director, told council the companies plan to invest approximately $10,100,000 over 10 years to build a new maintenance shop, renovate existing facilities on Highway 96 and add administrative space; the project is expected to create 31 new jobs and retain existing employment at the Greenwood site.

What the county approved: Bateman said staff and the planning commission recommended the amended agreement; placeholders from the packet version were filled in the printed copy on council desks (company names and the 10‑year investment dates). During public comment Patrick Hobson (Chandler Construction Services) spoke in favor of the project and described the company’s local ties.

Fiscal and procedural notes: The county attorney clarified for the public record that a sales‑tax component remained to be negotiated and that the manager and attorney would finalize that element. Council approved the agreement as amended with the understanding staff would complete the sales‑tax component negotiation; the vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: The approval preserves a locally headquartered industrial employer’s operations and commitments to expand in Greenwood County, with immediate economic development implications including construction activity and added payroll. The developer and county will finalize technical and fiscal terms before implementation.