Marlboro County approves fee-in-lieu deal for Project Poundcake, tables Project Pinky Promise

Marlboro County Council on Sept. 10 approved the third reading of an ordinance authorizing a fee-in-lieu-of-ad-valorem-taxes agreement for "Project Poundcake," advancing the county’s economic development plan for the site.

County Administrator Wilson A. Clyburn described the Poundcake ordinance as “another expansion” before the council voted to adopt the measure unanimously on a motion by Dr. Damien Johnson, seconded by Jason Steen. The ordinance authorizes the county to execute and deliver a fee-in-lieu agreement and related infrastructure credits with the unnamed Project Poundcake, as described in the ordinance title.

Council separately considered Ordinance #852, a similar fee-in-lieu agreement for "Project Pinky Promise." Clyburn asked the council to table the third reading to allow additional review. On a motion by Dr. Damien Johnson, seconded by Jason Steen, council voted to table Ordinance #852 with seven in favor, none opposed and one abstention (Ms. Pearly Lawson). Clyburn did not provide further details at the meeting about the outstanding issues prompting the tabling request.

The two measures were considered during the meeting’s public hearing period; no members of the public spoke on either ordinance. The actions permit county staff to move forward on the Poundcake agreement and to return with more information on Pinky Promise at a future meeting.

What happens next: The Poundcake fee-in-lieu agreement can be executed under the adopted ordinance; council will consider Ordinance #852 at a later meeting after staff follow-up on the items Clyburn identified.