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Chamber outlines $120M estimate and career-center priority for proposed 2024 capital-project sales tax
Summary
The Greenwood Chamber presented two headline projects in a proposed 2024 capital-project sales tax that would appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, highlighting a new 31,000-sq.-ft. Career/Technical Innovation Center and parks upgrades; the presenter said state estimates show about $120 million in receipts over seven years and that 38–41% of revenues would be paid by non-residents.
Triny Williams, president and CEO of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, told the Board of Trustees that the chamber’s proposed 2024 capital-project sales tax — slated for the Nov. 5 ballot — centers on 27 projects focused on education and youth services. “The first project … is a new Career Center or Technical Innovation Center for our high school students,” Williams said, describing a planned 31,000-square-foot facility on the Piedmont Tech campus to replace the existing career center and expand programs such as automotive technology, truck driver training, manufacturing and logistics.
Williams said the bond would also fund parks and recreation upgrades, including replacement fencing, new restrooms and concession stands, LED lighting, playground improvements and work at the Larry Trainum Center. She emphasized that the proposal is not an additional penny on top of current sales tax and that the current capital sales tax is set to expire April 30, 2025; the proposed tax would begin May 1 if approved.
A council member who spoke in support cited an estimate from the state Department of Commerce of about $120 million in receipts over seven years and said about 38–41% of the revenue would be paid by visitors or non-residents, reducing the program’s direct burden on local property owners. Williams urged board members and the community to engage voters and noted the chamber can provide presentations about the full list of projects.
The presentation included planning and transportation considerations for the career center (aimed at easing student travel) and a partnership framework that would serve multiple districts and Piedmont Tech. Williams offered to remain after the meeting to answer additional questions and to speak to community groups about the other projects on the 27-item list.
Next steps: Williams asked community members to learn more and vote; no formal board action was taken at the meeting regarding placement or endorsement beyond the informational presentation.
