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Richland County Council approves industrial‑park expansions, property sale and multiple post‑executive‑session actions
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Summary
The council voted March 17 to expand the I‑77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park for two projects, approve the sale of property in Carolina Pines Industrial Park, accept opioid‑relief awards and authorize several contract and settlement actions following executive session.
Richland County Council on March 17 approved a package of economic development and fiscal actions, including expansions of the I‑77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park to accommodate two identified projects, the sale of county property in Carolina Pines Industrial Park and a set of post‑executive‑session authorizations covering a riverfront MOU extension, a settlement acceptance, a real‑estate contract amendment and the start of airport contract negotiations.
County Administrator Brown told the council staff sought acceptance of previously approved opioid‑relief awards and authority to execute agreements to distribute funds to projects already approved by council. "These are projects that the council has previously approved, and now we are requesting permission and approval to execute all the necessary agreements in order to distribute those funds to these approved projects," he said. Council approved the administration's request.
On second reading the council approved two expansions of the I‑77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park (jointly developed with Fairfield County) to include property located in Richland County and to permit execution of public infrastructure credit agreements for the companies identified in the motion as Project Olympus and Project Cardinal. Council also approved the third reading of an item authorizing the sale and transfer of certain county property in the Carolina Pines Industrial Park.
A council member disclosed a potential conflict during consideration of one industrial‑park item because a parent company of the applicant was represented by that member's parent company; the disclosure was recorded before the vote. The council then voted to approve the items.
After an executive session, the council took several actions in open session: it authorized the county administrator to extend the riverfront and convention center development memorandum of understanding to July 31, 2026; authorized the county attorney to accept and sign a settlement on behalf of Richland County; authorized execution of a real‑estate contract amendment related to a property at 120 Clemson Road; authorized extension or renewal of the Blythewood Fire Station ground lease; approved several grievance committee recommendations presented in executive session; and authorized staff to begin contract negotiations for a specialized aviation services contract at LB Owens Airport.
Votes on consent and fiscal‑year items, and on several committee recommendations, were recorded by the clerk and passed by roll call. Several routine items were approved with little discussion; where a council member requested removal or reconsideration of an item, the council considered the request and either approved the item separately or failed the reconsideration motion.
The council closed the meeting after a brief recognition of Women's Month and a motion period in which no new motions were presented. The actions approved on March 17 advance several development projects and allow staff to begin negotiating contracts related to airport services and real‑estate agreements.
