York County Council on Nov. 2 advanced four economic development incentive agreements representing about $235.6 million in investment and more than 400 jobs. Action, a Dutch discount retailer, and Munzing, which plans to move its North American headquarters to Clover, identified themselves as Projects Pear and Utopia and passed second reading. Project Blue Mako, a Rock Hill precision manufacturer, and Project Elevate, a $170.5 million plant expansion in southern York County, passed first reading, and council authorized applications for $13 million in related state grants. Council also passed first reading of two rezonings, started an update of the county’s 20-year-old water and sewer impact fees, and authorized negotiations with a comprehensive plan consultant. Residents used public comment to raise concerns about Silfab Solar, a recent sewage spill near Lake Wylie and unregulated e-bikes.
Public forum
Speakers invited the public to the York County Veterans Day parade, held the Saturday before Veterans Day with a 10 a.m. start from 60 N. Congress St. in York. Two Fort Mill residents asked council to revoke Silfab Solar’s certificate of occupancy, arguing solar cell production is chemical manufacturing allowed only in heavy industrial zones. A Lake Wylie area resident urged backup pumping and storage at the Little Allison Creek pump station after a raw sewage spill. Two residents described e-bikes speeding through neighborhoods and along Highway 274, and another criticized fee in lieu of tax deals and project code names.
Consent agenda
Approved without opposition, with the comprehensive plan item pulled for discussion. It gave final approval to three rezonings near Clover and Rock Hill (Cases 26-26, 26-28 and 26-29), a $1,278,000 design contract with Goodwyn Mills Cawood for about 4 miles of greenway at Catawba Bend Preserve, a $154,452.22 change order for the coroner’s facility, a Duke Energy line crossing for DR Horton’s Meriway Pointe sewer line under Lake Wylie, and a sole source agreement with Land Strategies for the I-77 South Corridor Study.
Ridley Street rezoning
Council approved first reading of Case 26-31, rezoning a 22,000-square-foot lot at 228 Ridley Street in Rock Hill from UD to RMX-10 for two homes. Councilman William “Bump” Roddey said the area’s blackjack soil does not drain, pointing to a nearby new home with standing water in the yard. Staff said that lot meets code and county rules do not govern drainage on individual lots, but offered to draft a stormwater amendment or a condition for this case. Chairwoman Christi Cox voted yes but said she will not support second reading without a drainage plan. No opposition was heard.
Bethel School Road rezoning
Council unanimously approved first reading of Case 26-32, rezoning 6.56 landlocked acres off Bethel School Road near Clover from ID to RUD so the owner can combine it with an adjacent lot. No development is planned.
Action headquarters in Fort Mill
Council unanimously passed second reading of an assignment of an existing fee in lieu of tax agreement to Action, with a five-year special source revenue credit stepping down from 50% to 10%. The Netherlands-based retailer, which has more than 3,500 stores in Europe, plans to invest $25.5 million in an existing 345,000-square-foot Fort Mill building for its first U.S. headquarters and distribution center, adding 215 jobs over five years. Representatives said a Rock Hill store on Cherry Road could open next year or in early 2028. Council also unanimously authorized a $500,000 state grant application for building upfits.
Munzing headquarters in Clover
Council unanimously passed second reading of an incentive agreement for Munzing, which plans a $17 million office and research building on land it owns in Clover. The project would bring 66 positions by 2033, including 56 new jobs. A council member said the jobs would average about $107,500 a year. Council also approved a $500,000 state grant application.
Project Blue Mako
Council approved first reading of a 25% special source revenue credit for seven years for Project Blue Mako, a family-owned maker of engineered fluid control products. The company would invest $22.6 million at 150 Mount Gallant Road in Rock Hill and add 54 jobs. It is expected to identify itself at second reading.
Project Elevate
With Roddey recused, council approved first reading of an amended fee in lieu of tax agreement adding a 40% special source revenue credit for 10 years for an existing manufacturer’s new 500,000-square-foot finishing plant. The $170.5 million project would add 80 jobs. A council member said North Carolina and California are competing for it. Council unanimously authorized applications for an $11 million state economic set-aside grant and a $1 million S.C. Department of Agriculture grant.
Water and sewer impact fees
Council unanimously passed first reading by title only of updated water and sewer capacity fees. The current fees date to December 2006 and must be updated before they reach 20 years. Consultants will present details at a Nov. 10 workshop streamed live.
Comprehensive plan consultant
Council authorized staff to negotiate with the top-ranked of 10 firms for the county comprehensive plan and the Newport Area Plan. Interim County Manager Jim Baker said any contract will return to council. Cox asked that it spell out public engagement and a timeline. Councilman A. Watts Huckabee Sr. questioned why the I-77 study was sole sourced, and staff said it passed procurement review and will feed into the larger plan.
Reports and comments
The Health and Environmental Protection Committee sent a proposed parks foundation to council, and Huckabee suggested a broader countywide foundation. Council members raised e-bikes, scooters and side-by-sides on public roads, and Cox asked management for a memo with input from the sheriff before any referral. Council met in executive session on litigation and the three incentive projects, took no action and adjourned.
Action and Munzing return for third reading and a public hearing at the next regular meeting.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
