The special Monday session of Orangeburg County Council, which had a heavy emphasis on economic development, began with local senators presenting council with an oversized check for more than $1 million earmarked for infrastructure needs.

State Sens. John Matthews and Brad Hutto presented the huge check for $1,034,000.

After stating that the purpose of the check is for infrastructure, Matthews joked that council should be asked for, "whatever is left over. ... If they say there's no money, they're not telling the truth."

Hutto noted that the delegation is appreciative of the job council has done to attract economic development.

That said, council then proceeded with a detailed PowerPoint presentation and photographs from the recent fact-finding mission local officials took to the Middle East.

Council Chairman Harry Wimberly, County Administrator Bill Clark, Development Director Gregg Robinson and Development Commission Chairman Jeannine Kees left Orangeburg March 8 for a one-week visit to Dubai, the headquarters of Jafza International.

The United Arab Emirates-based logistics company, a subsidiary of Dubai World, announced last fall that it intends to invest between $600 million and $700 million near Santee. Plans call for a logistics, manufacturing and distribution hub that could employ between 8,000 and 10,000 workers. With construction planned for late 2009, the project is expected to attract some $1.2 billion in private investment.

"This is an investment. ... If we don't invest, we can't get any return on our money. ... We're ready when they are," Kees said.

Promoting the county's "Global Logistics Triangle," the area between Interstates 26 and 95 and U.S. Highway 301, Robinson cited the strengths the county is bringing to the project. A central location in a business-friendly state is key, he said, along with population density, a good workforce and available infrastructure.

Council met in closed, executive session for an hour to discuss a different economic development project. After returning to open session, council gave the go-ahead for incentive and inducement negotiations to continue with "Project TBA," ide.jpgied as a Flying J Travel Plaza near Bowman.

Councilman Johnny Ravenell, who represents the district where the business will be located, suggested that council "concur with the mayor of Bowman," as well as the county attorney and administrator, before making an actual decision.

Also, in other business related to economic development, council held a public hearing on an ordinance to provide a special source credit agreement with Roseburg Forest Products South Limited Partnership. Also, according to the ordinance, the company, which has bought out the old Georgia Pacific plant, will be placed in a multi-county industrial park with Dorchester County.

The project was described as one of job retention rather than creation. Under the state's multi-county industrial park incentive tool -- called a "legal fiction," by the attorney for Roseburg -- the county where the industry is located, Orangeburg County, will receive jobs tax credits, while Dorchester County will get 1 percent of fees.

In other business, council:

* Amended the county's lease agreement with Claflin University's Project Life: Positeen from five years to 10 years. The extended lease is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

* Passed a resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the town of Eutawville for the enforcement of community development ordinances.

* Appointed John Reid to the Law Enforcement Commission.

* Authorized two-year constable appointments for animal control officers Ben Boensch, Steven Holloway, Patricia Starks and Reginald Wright.

* Passed a resolution designating April as Fair Housing Month.

* Passed a resolution of recognition in memory of Susie M. Hubbard, an educator.

* Passed a resolution in honor of Gladys Tyler, who celebrated her 100th birthday on March 18.

* In closed, executive session, discussed economic development issues concerning "Project Upland" and the World Trade Center LLC.

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

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