State Rep. Mark Brody urges restored AEDC funding with strict accountability

Representative Mark Brody appeared before the Anson County Board of Commissioners to urge the county to resume funding for the Anson Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) — but only with clear accountability measures attached.

Brody recounted the county’s past choices to dedicate portions of a sales‑tax realignment and later state grant dollars to local economic development. He said the county received an $8 million state grant in session law 2022 and $4 million for sewer and water expansion to serve the Atlantic Gateway Industrial Park, and that the county previously designated AEDC as the county’s economic‑development arm. “We call it a spec building…to attract a buyer and bring jobs to Anson County,” Brody said, describing delays and a recent unexplained demolition of a shell building that had been under development.

Brody asked the commissioners to “fund AEDC again” in the next budget cycle but made the request conditional: he recommended attaching reporting requirements and benchmarks, including regular reports from a re‑hired AEDC director and documentation of progress on the industrial park infrastructure. Commissioners responded that they broadly support funding tied to demonstrable results. Several elected officials and the county manager emphasized the board’s expectation that county dollars include timetables, measurable goals and public reporting so taxpayers can see outcomes.

The board did not take a formal vote on AEDC funding during the meeting; commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the AEDC has reviewed the proposed accountability measures and said they would expect a formal proposal before allocating funds.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to follow up with AEDC leadership and return to the board with defined benchmarks and any documentation the AEDC provides about the reasons for prior delays.