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Marlboro County approves inducement resolutions and fee-in-lieu agreements for proposed Echelon data centers
Summary
The council unanimously approved inducement resolutions and third-reading ordinances to allow fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements and related incentives for Echelon data center projects (referred to in the record as Project Horizon and Project Omega), while noting further details will follow as negotiations continue.
Marlboro County Council voted unanimously to approve inducement resolutions and related ordinances that clear the way for potential Echelon data center campuses in the county.
The council approved Resolution 122401 (for Echelon DC Benefield LLC, referenced in the record as Project Horizon) and Resolution 122402 (for Echelon DC River Oaks LLC, referenced as Project Omega), and advanced related ordinances on third reading. Chair/Presiding Official (Speaker 3) read a company statement saying the developer "is considering developing several data centers campuses in South Carolina" and that the projects "will bring investment to the state" and create "construction and technology jobs throughout the development and operation." The council recorded unanimous approval by show of hands for the resolutions and third readings; exact vote counts were not specified in the transcript.
Why it matters: the approved inducement resolutions identify specific projects so investment expenditures may qualify for fee-in-lieu-of-ad-valorem-tax incentives under Title 12, Chapter 44 of the South Carolina Code. The county recorded this action as an early step in a longer economic development process: the chair described the approvals as "just 1 step" toward securing final investment and said the county is "extremely excited about the possible Echelon development data center campus here in Marlboro County." The record shows staff and council members repeatedly thanked Economic Development staff (naming Tony McNeal and Mr. Clyburn) for work on the proposals.
What was decided and what remains: the council approved the inducement resolutions and related ordinances; the action authorizes the county to enter into fee-in-lieu agreements and related incentive negotiations but does not itself finalize specific incentive terms, infrastructure commitments or a final tax agreement. The chair said additional information is expected at a later date. The record includes no binding project-specific financing figures or employment guarantees; those details remain to be negotiated and disclosed.
Quotes from the meeting reflect the county's stance. Representative Jason Love, who addressed the council earlier in the meeting, said of his new legislative duties, "I am very much at work." The chair read the Echelon statement that described the projects as creating jobs and investment. Finance and procurement details, including specific incentive terms, were not specified during the meeting.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the company and report back with additional materials and any finalized agreements; the transcript indicates a formal announcement is anticipated when negotiations are further along.
