Council approves infrastructure credit agreement to support Amazon last‑mile site in 96 business park

Greenwood County Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2026‑18, authorizing an infrastructure credit agreement with a company the county identified as 'Project Piranha' to reimburse off‑site sewer infrastructure costs needed to serve a proposed last‑mile delivery station in the 96 business park.

James Bateman, the county's economic development director, told council that Project Piranha is an Amazon last‑mile delivery station that requested reimbursement for off‑site sewer extension while bearing its on‑site sewer costs. Bateman said the requested credits would enlarge the boundaries of a joint county industrial business park and facilitate utility service for the facility and potential future tenants.

The ordinance cites state law authority for such agreements, including sections of Title 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws (4‑1‑170, 4‑1‑175, 4‑29‑68) and Article VIII, Section 13 of the South Carolina Constitution, which permit local infrastructure incentives in certain cases. County staff provided draft documents in the meeting packet and told council revised documents would be ready for third reading.

Council approved the motion to proceed on a motion by Mr. Allison and a second by Ms. Miller; the vote was unanimous.

What happens next: Staff said finalized documents would be presented at the next reading. The agreement authorizes limited, annual special source revenue or infrastructure credits to reimburse specified off‑site improvements; it does not itself execute construction work but enables reimbursement if required conditions are met.