Council approves Project Micro ordinances and SSRC agreement; discussion focuses on investment floor and verification

Beaufort County Council on Feb. 10 approved ordinances related to Project Micro, including placing a land purchase into an existing multi‑county industrial park and adopting a special source revenue credit (SSRC) agreement to provide property tax incentives to the company.

Vice Chair Tabernick opened the ordinance readings and Council members questioned county staff and economic development staff about the company’s projected investment and job creation. Council asked for clarity on the ordinance language that sets a legal floor for minimum investment: the SSRC paperwork states a legal minimum of $2,500,000 while company presentations have described a higher projected investment (about $7.1 million) and creation of roughly 42 jobs over five years. Mr. O’Toole (county economic development liaison) explained the ordinance shows the legal floor under South Carolina law and that the county monitors investment and employment via company reporting, Department of Revenue filings and county follow‑up (including tours and payroll verification when necessary).

Council member questions focused on transparency and enforcement: who measures compliance, how shortfalls are addressed, and where public reporting is available. Mr. O’Toole said the county coordinates with the Department of Revenue and enforces clawbacks if required; he cited recent recoveries in small dollar amounts when companies failed to meet terms. After discussion and questions, councilors voted by show of hands and the measures passed unanimously.

The ordinances move Project Micro closer to closing by formalizing the land status and incentive structure; additional public hearings on related items (third readings) were scheduled for March where statutorily required.