Sumter County approves inducement resolution to negotiate incentives for $250 million solar farm

Sumter County Council on Dec. 10 unanimously adopted R-24-06, an inducement resolution directing county staff to negotiate a Fee-In-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes (FILOT) and Special Source Revenue Credit (SSRC) agreement for a proposed solar farm identified as Project White Palmetto.

The resolution was presented by County Attorney Johnathan Bryan and adopted after a motion by Councilman Artie Baker and a second from Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr. The text identifies the sponsor as an entity whose name cannot be publicly disclosed at this time and states the Project is "anticipated to result in an investment of approximately $250,000,000 in taxable real and personal property." Council directed the chairman and clerk to execute the resolution on the countys behalf.

Why it matters: the resolution is an inducement that permits the county to negotiate a FILOT and SSRCs under South Carolina law (Title 12, Chapter 44) and to consider including the Project in a multicounty business park under the MCIP Act. If finalized, the incentives would fix tax payments for qualifying economic development property and could be paired with special source revenue credits, potentially changing the tax treatment and timing of revenue to the county.

What the resolution does and next steps: R-24-06 does not itself set the incentive terms; it authorizes county officials to negotiate an agreement and consider subsequent ordinances and documents required by state law. County Attorney Bryan told council the resolution establishes the countys intent to proceed; further details on FILOT structure, SSRCs, and any multicounty park inclusion will be set by later ordinance and contract. The record shows council granted "special consideration" to Project White Palmetto earlier in committee proceedings.

Local concerns and procedure: Councilman Carlton B. Washington told the record his earlier concerns regarding the proposed ordinance amendment and related matters had been resolved prior to the vote. The sponsors identity was withheld in the resolution language. The county will return to council for any required ordinance and for execution of final agreements; those steps will be subject to separate votes and statutory procedures.

Action recorded: R-24-06 was adopted by a motion from Councilman Artie Baker, seconded by Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr., and carried unanimously by council. The resolution identifies the Project, authorizes negotiation of a FILOT and SSRC agreement, and authorizes consideration of including the Project in a multicounty business park under the MCIP Act.

Authorities referenced in the meeting record include Title 12, Chapter 44 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina and provisions of the MCIP Act (Article VIII, Section 13(D) of the South Carolina Constitution and cited Code sections).