Council to Vote on Green Pond, Amphitheater Bids
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County Council will vote on third reading a shoring up of laws related to conservation subdivision standards, what qualifies as a short-term rental property, as well as tax incentive agreements Athrex and International Vitamin Corporation/Nutra Manufacturing, LLC., and a pair of bids to increase tourism at Tuesday’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse.
Arthrex in return will bring a new investment of $150 million and 400 new full-time jobs. Nutra will add an additional $31 million investment in their facility for upgrades and commit to maintaining their workforce of 395.
Also on Tuesday, council will clean up language defining what a bed and breakfast rental property is and how it is taxed. The change reflects, among other things, no requirement of breakfast served to meet the standard.
Bid approvals for work at Green Pond Landing and Events Center and work to complete the new upgrades at the Anderson Civic Center amphitheater are also on the agenda.
Green Pond Landing East Ramp and Docks Project bid would be awarded to Rakes Building & Maintenance Contractors, LLC (BluTide Marine Construction) at $1.59 million. The work is aimed at keeping the venue competitive for hosting national/international fishing tournaments.
The other bid seeks to build Anderson County a potentially lucrative new partnership with Peachtree Entertainment exclusively on the amphitheater at the civic center. It does not include other properties at the stie. Under the five-year contract—which carries an option for a five-year extension and automatically terminates once fifty dates have been utilized—Peachtree is committing $2.5 million for cultural and financial infusion, with the promise to deliver eight to 10 multi-genre concerts per year, drawing an estimated 40,000-50,000 ticket buyers annually.
The payment structure begins with a $250,000 signing incentive due by August 1, 2026, followed by another $250,000 in June 2027 to mark the inaugural full season. After that, the county will collect half a million dollars every June through 2031.
Should Peachtree terminate the agreement before the term ends for any reason other than a material breach by the county, the balance of the $2.5 million guarantee comes due in full to ensure that, whether the music plays or stops, the county gets paid.
