Richland County Council approves I-77 industrial park expansions, notes recusal on one vote

Richland County Council on April 14 approved expansions to the I-77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park and authorized public infrastructure credit agreements for two private development projects identified in staff packets as Project Olympus and Project Cardinal.

The council voted on third reading to expand park boundaries and execute a public infrastructure credit agreement for Olympus Development Partners LLC (Project Olympus). After the vote passed, a motion to reconsider the approval failed. Council later approved a similar expansion and credit agreement for Cardinal Group Investment Management LLC (Project Cardinal). During the Cardinal vote Councilmember Jessica Mackey recused herself, stating a parental/representation conflict; the clerk noted the recusal and the motion carried.

The actions allow the county to provide public infrastructure credits to the identified developers as part of the county's economic development tools. A motion to reconsider the Cardinal approval was moved and seconded but failed on a roll-call vote.

Council conducted roll calls for both items in open session and recorded approvals. No public commenters spoke on the industrial park expansions during the public hearing on those items.

Next steps: The approved third-reading ordinances authorize staff to execute the public infrastructure credit agreements consistent with the terms in the agenda packet and to proceed with implementation steps described in the staff report.