Events, Zoning, Infrastructure Highlight County News
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
In a wide-ranging discussion, Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns offered insights into a series of ongoing initiatives, from highly anticipated community events to long-term infrastructure projects. The conversation, which took place with Greg Wilson, editor of the Anderson Observer, touched on the upcoming Celebrate Anderson event, a proposed sales tax for road repairs, and the county’s economic development strategies.
A Festival of Firsts, and Familiar Fun
The county’s annual Celebrate Anderson event, promoted as a gift to the community, is poised for its biggest year yet. Burns confirmed that the free concert, featuring Kool & the Gang, has already seen more than 9,000 ticket requests — a record that he sees as validating the decision to move beyond country music for the main act. The event, which will include a Jeep exhibition and a hot air balloon affair hosted by the Anderson Cancer Association, will also feature what Burns called the "largest fireworks show in the Upstate." He underscored that the Anderson Cancer Association, which keeps all of its funds within the county, does "the work of the Lord."
Assessing the Aftermath and a Future-Focused Tax
Following the second annual Rock the Country festival, Burns reported that the event was a success, and that the county is already beginning to see a "small profit" from leasing the space. He noted that the organizers were responsible for all event-related costs, including police and personnel, and that the venue's grounds are fully restored after the event.
Looking ahead, a key issue for the county is a proposed 1-cent sales tax referendum for road repairs. Burns explained that the tax, which will not apply to unprepared food or medicine, would generate an estimated $36 to $37 million over eight years. He emphasized that the funds are restricted by law and can only be used for the specific list of roads approved by the County Road Commission. The tax is designed to expire after eight years, and roughly 30 percent of its revenue would come from visitors to the county, including those from Interstate 85, Clemson football games, and other events. Burns noted that the county’s website would provide detailed information and a list of the roads to be repaired.
Economic Development and Community Concerns
On the topic of economic development, Burns defended the use of Fee in Lieu of Tax (FILOT) incentives as a critical tool for competing with other states. He argued that without these incentives, South Carolina's industrial property tax rate would be prohibitively high. "If you don't give them that fee deal, they're across the river in Georgia and you ain't got nothing," he said, adding that the goal of council is to create jobs and a stable income for residents, not to increase taxes.
Burns also addressed a series of other county projects:
• A new $83 million detention center is on schedule to open next year, with the first of its prefabricated cells arriving in October.
• The $7 million renovation of the historic courthouse is also on track, with an anticipated completion by December.
• He noted that the county’s parks are in the midst of several upgrades, and that the Anderson County Museum has outgrown its current building.
• A new 1,350-megawatt energy plant near Starr is still undergoing the public hearing process. Burns said the plant would secure a more reliable and steady supply of electricity, which is now a top priority for companies looking to relocate.
• Finally, Burns said the county is seeing an increase in requests for county-wide zoning from communities in the southern part of the county, a move that would give those communities more control over development.
