Council Oks Data Center Moratorium, Upgrades at Green Pond and Civic Center
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County Council moved ahead Tuesday night on a slate of development and infrastructure measures that included approvals for two major industrial projects, a new county hazardous-materials employee, a continued push to slow data-center development, major updates at Green Pond Landing and Events Center, and the beginning of a large amphitheater renovation tied to a public-private concert partnership.
The council gave final approval to fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements for Project Health and Project Next, two economic-development deals that county officials said would keep a long-standing vitamin manufacturer on Liberty Highway in business and bring a major investment to Arthrex. Project Health, linked to International Vitamin Corporation and Nutra Manufacturing, is expected to involve about $31 million in machinery upgrades and preserve 395 full-time jobs; Project Next, tied to Arthrex, was described by county leaders as one of the biggest investments in the state this year is slated to bring in a new investment of more than $150 million and 400 new jobs.
The council also advanced a data-center moratorium, and officials said they intend to broaden it on third reading, so it covers existing facilities as well as new ones. The update came after a speaker from the industry urged the county to make sure the language also applies to older or smaller data centers that might otherwise fall outside the initial draft.
Council also approved a new hazardous materials program manager position, a change officials said is meant to improve the county’s response to time-sensitive hazmat incidents along Interstate 85 and in local communities. The position will give Anderson County a dedicated person to manage hazardous-materials issues that have become more complicated as traffic and development have increased.
One of the largest capital projects approved by council involves the county amphitheater, which officials said will be redesigned to feel more intimate and more attractive to touring acts. The project is being paired with a five-year agreement with Peachtree Entertainment, under which the company will pay the county $2.5 million over five years in exchange for a set number of dates and first right of refusal on others at the facility.
County leaders said the renovated venue will add VIP areas, backstage facilities, restrooms, and a more manageable layout, with the hope of attracting larger acts and bringing more concertgoers into Anderson County. They said the work is intended to draw visitors to restaurants, hotels, Clemson, and Anderson University, while making the amphitheater a more regular stop for touring acts that can fill 6,000-8,000 seats.
Council also backed additional improvements at Green Pond Landing, another piece of the same bond package. The new landing area and dock will help keep Anderson County competitive as a fishing destination and preserve its position as a premier site for national bass tournaments and the economic activity that comes with them.
