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  • County unveils airport upgrades

    Fairfield County Council Chairman Billy Smith, center, and Fairfield County Airport Director Denise Bryant cut the ribbon during the grand re-opening of the county airport. | Nancy Mayer

    WINNSBORO – Gov. Henry McMaster couldn’t make it Monday.

    But the next time South Carolina’s governor needs to fly into Winnsboro, spiffy new airport infrastructure will be there to greet him.

    Following a tough stretch on the economic development front, Fairfield County received a welcome lift when it formally unveiled the scope of a recently completed runway lighting and signage project.

    “It’s the best airport project I’ve ever worked on,” said airport director Denise Bryan. “And I’ve worked at commercial airports. This one went very smoothly.”

    A quick glance of the premises helps explain why.

    After touring the airport, these two rest on the tarmac as they await the next flight.

    Blue LED lightning now lines the nearly one-mile runway and accompanying taxiway. New signage, new sign pads and a newly painted beacon tower are among the laundry list of features added to the airport.

    “Some of these things are only things that commercial airports have,” Bryan said. “Your GA (general aviation) airport has some of these, so we can take larger aircraft.”

    About the only thing missing during Monday’s ribbon cutting ceremony was McMaster, who along with S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, had been invited to the festivities.

    Even without the governor and fellow cabinet member, there still was plenty to celebrate. Modern airport facilities are seen as critical in the county’s effort to attract new industry.

    At a recent county council meeting, county officials stated that a state plane carrying Secretary Hitt literally couldn’t land at the Fairfield County Airport several months ago due to its then-dilapidated conditions.

    Additionally, the looming loss of 126 jobs at Element Electronics, which blamed recent Trump Administration tariffs on Chinese goods as the cause, makes a viable airport particularly vital to industrial recruitment.

    “I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve met who say they know about our airport,” County Chairman Billy Smith said. “We’ve got prospects that visit the county on a weekly basis. We’ve got somebody that’s going to be in the county tomorrow,” he said.

    “A lot of counties would love to have a resource like we do. A lot of (runways) are still grass,” Smith continued. “A rising tide raises all ships.”

    From a fiscal standpoint, the process was equally smooth, with very little local funding applied toward the project.

    Ninety percent of the $780,000 price tag (about $702,000) came from the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA.

    The remaining 10 percent was divided equally between the state and Fairfield County.

    “All of our infrastructure, including assets like this, help us tremendously,” said County Administrator Jason Taylor.

    Looking forward, additional upgrades lie on the horizon.

    Taylor said the airport’s gas pumps need to be upgraded. Additional hangar space is needed and a stormwater study is currently underway.

    Bryan, the airport director, also would like to look into resurfacing the runway and taxiway.

    “We have a lot to offer,” Bryan said. “Obviously not as much as a commercial airport. We can’t land a 727. We need a longer runway, but it wouldn’t take much more, we’re pretty close.”

  • Blythewood’s Trane plant to hire 700

    BLYTHEWOOD – The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) will be hiring ‘on the spot’ for 70 positions during a job fair it is sponsoring for Trane at Doko Manor, from 1 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 12.

    Wendy Hamilton, Midlands Business Consultant for SCDEW, said the hiring will be the first phase of 700 new hires over the next six months for Trane’s newly expanded plant in Blythewood.

    “They will be hiring for multiple positions, primarily maintenance techs,” Hamilton said.

    While Hamilton said she did not have the final range of pay for the positions, she said the jobs are all well-paying jobs.

    “All of Trane’s corporate Human Resources Department staff will be on site to interview, make offers and hire right then and there,” Hamilton said. “It’s very important for applicants to bring an updated resume with them.”

    The first phase of 70 hires will be followed by hiring the bulk of the 700 open positions. Then another 70 will be hired in the final phase. All three phases are expected to be completed within six months Hamilton said.

    “The company recently completed a 1,000,000 square foot expansion, the largest expansion it has ever made,” Hamilton said. “It’s a great opportunity for both Fairfield and Blythewood.”

  • Smith outlines new admin building costs

    Winnsboro – Fairfield County isn’t promising that it’s a magic pill.

    But local leaders do think the plan to repurpose the old Mt. Zion Institute site in Winnsboro into a new county administration building is as innovative as it is necessary.

    “My biggest concern is if this project doesn’t go forward, there’s something that’s going to have to happen to resolve the issues with the current building,” County Chairman Billy Smith said Monday. “It’s got some problems I probably shouldn’t even tell you about.”

    Smith estimates renovating the existing county building would cost at least $3 million. It would be ineligible for the tax credits for which the Mt. Zion site qualifies.

    And Fairfield County’s borrowing capacity is virtually zero due to a $24 million bond issue it’s repaying. Smith added that other unspecified financial decisions by previous council members have further financially handcuffed the county.

    “It boxed us in, in terms of what we can and can’t do,” he said. “This is a creative model that Fairfield County could probably win some type of award for. In no other way would this be feasible.”

    Otherwise, county voters would have to “go vote on a referendum to raise their own taxes,” Smith added.

    The plan to repurpose the Mt. Zion institute costs about $11.4 million, but a series of tax credits and private equity would cover more than half the cost.

    Smith said interest free county lease payments would cover the rest.

    Rory Dowling with 1st & Main, a Durham, North Carolina firm working with the county, outlined the two-part tax credit proposal at the Aug. 13 council meeting.

    First, he said, the firm has already applied for state and federal historic tax credits.

    The plan also calls for additional New Market Tax Credits. Dowling said 1st & Main has already received a letter of interest from the Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation, or CAHEC, to provide the allocation.

    Together the credits total $5.4 million. Dowling said repurposing Mt. Zion is a preferred project for CAHEC, but not a guarantee.

    “It’s a very good sign, we hope to know more in October when some of these (Community Development Entities) receive some feedback on a federal level on whether they can expect some level of credits,” Dowling said regarding CAHEC’s interest. “We take these tax credits and sell them to a third party at a discount, which then finances the project.”

    An additional $1.1 million in equity has been pledged by 1st & Main, leaving about $4.5 million, totaling $11 million.

    “We do expect that to come down. This is a starting number,” Dowling said. “By our modeling, we think this is going to save the county $3.5 million over a 20-year period. It significantly reduces your payments.”

    As it stands, a majority of council supports the plan. The council voted 4-1 for first reading of an ordinance authorizing construction of a new administration building, as well as a lease agreement associated with the project.

    Council members Dan Ruff and Douglas Pauley abstained, each signaling they wanted more information before committing to a vote. Councilman Mikel Trapp opposed the ordinance.

    Economic development has become the rallying cry for those supporting the Mt. Zion plan. Several residents speaking during public input last Monday night expressed that support by invoking the looming loss of 126 jobs at Element Electronics.

    Those who oppose the plans do so for various reasons.

    Some cite a confederate monument that stands on the far corner of the green as the reason they do not want Mt. Zion renovated.

    Others cite cost.

    County resident Jana Childers said she prefers repurposing another existing building, such as the Wal-Mart that recently shut down. But that building is outside of the downtown.

    Smith said he understands the criticisms of investing in government owned property.

    But he also noted that the county’s approximately 120 employees must eat and shop as well, and nesting the new county building close to shops and restaurants does provide a benefit.

    “To have those folks be in such close distance where they could walk to (downtown businesses,) it would be huge for a town like Winnsboro,” Smith said. “It’s a hassle to get into your car and drive somewhere.”

    As envisioned, the proposed 45,000-square-foot building would more than double the county’s existing 21,000-square-foot structure.

    Administrative offices, the sheriff’s office, a daycare center and parks and recreation with a new gym would move into the new building. County council chambers would move there as well.

    Second reading is scheduled for the council’s Aug. 27 meeting. A public hearing on the building proposal is likely.

  • Join Trash Talk countywide tour

    BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood residents are invited to Talk Trash with Richland County Solid Waste & Recycling folks at Doko Manor on Monday, Sept. 10 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

    The meeting will provide residents with updates about trash pickup, recycling and bulk item collections. Those attending can receive input about services provided by the County.

    Four other similar meetings are being held in other parts of the County.

    For more information about Richland County Solid Waste & Recycling, contact the County at 929-6000.

     

  • New Home, Same Service

    Photos: Martha Ladd

     

    WINNSBORO – A grand opening was held on Friday, Aug. 17 for the new Fairfield Behavioral Health Services facility at 178 Highway 321 Bypass N. in Winnsboro.
    The event was hosted by the BHS Director Vernon Kennedy, Sr., and included tours of the facility, refreshments a ribbon cutting and comments from Sen. Mike Fanning, Rep. MaryGail Douglas and County Council Chairman Billy Smith. Kennedy told those who attended that the new facility would enhance the department’s service to the community.

    Rep. MaryGail Douglas talked about the importance of having good behavioral health services in the community.

     

  • Fairfield asks feds to exempt Element

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County leaders want the federal government to waive tariffs impacting Element Electronics, tariffs the TV assembler says will wipe out 126 jobs, essentially shuttering the Winnsboro plant.

    However, a nonprofit geared toward the manufacturing sector disputes whether tariffs and trade wars are even to blame.

    By unanimous vote, Fairfield County Council swiftly approved a resolution on Monday that asks the Trump Administration to spare Element from the 25 percent tax set to take effect.

    “Fairfield County is ill-equipped to withstand the further loss of jobs and economic investment due to the recent events surrounding the closure of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant expansion project which resulted in the loss of over 5,000 local jobs and billions of dollars in investment that would have positively impacted Fairfield County and its citizens,” the resolution states.

    Element initially accepted $1.3 million in tax credits and pledged to create up to 500 jobs by the end of 2018, according to an August 2013 news release from the S.C. Department of Commerce announcing Element’s plans to open a Winnsboro plant.

    This past spring, a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods took effect, prompting Element and Fairfield County to modify the incentive agreement by reducing incentive levels.

    If the 25 percent tariff takes effect, Element has said it would be forced to lay off most of its workforce. Although Element is based in the U.S., its televisions consist of components imported from China.

    President Donald J. Trump has taken aim at China, specifically, in tariff-related tweets to the commander in chief’s official Twitter page.

    His most recent tweet posted Aug. 5, two days before the Element announcement, said tariffs would build economic prosperity.

    “Tariffs are working big time. Every country on earth [sic] wants to take wealth out of the U.S., always to our detriment,” the tweet stated. “I say, as they come, Tax [sic] them. If they don’t want to be taxed, let them make or build the product in the U.S. In either event, it means jobs and great wealth.”

    While losing 126 jobs is regrettable, unfair trade with China has been much more punitive to South Carolina workers, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

    The alliance further claims in an Aug. 8 op-ed to its website that the tariff announcement is merely a convenient way to shift blame.

    “Element says it is seeking to have ‘our parts removed from the tariff list’ in order to maintain its taxpayer-funded operations in South Carolina,” the alliance op-ed states. “But nothing has changed — Element still wants the government pick up the tab for its American facility while staying dependent on China.”

    In support of its position, the alliance cites a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute, an independent think tank many conservative websites criticize as affiliated with the labor movement and left-wing policies.

    According to the study, unfair trade with China displaced 50,700 South Carolina workers between 2001 and 2015.

    The study ranked South Carolina 13th in jobs lost by percentage of workforce (2.58 percent), though it didn’t break down job losses by county.

    “Growing U.S. trade deficits with China have reduced demand for goods produced in every region of the United States and led to job displacement in all 50 states and the District of Columbia,” the study states.

    This isn’t the first time the Alliance for American Manufacturing has clashed with Element.

    In 2014, the alliance filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, claiming Element was fraudulently stating its TVs were made in the U.S. when they were pre-assembled in China and shipped here.

    A settlement was later reached when Element agreed to change its labeling to “assembled in the U.S.,” a moniker prominently displayed today on its website.

    At Monday night’s council meeting, however, Fairfield County residents in attendance hardly cared about Trump tweets, trade wars or false advertisement claims.

    Their concern was simple. Jobs.

    In addition to Element, another 300 jobs evaporated when the Winnsboro Wal-Mart at 721 Highway 321 Bypass shut down in 2016.

    Fairfield Memorial Hospital is shutting down later this year. And, of course, there’s V.C. Summer.

    Clarence Gilbert of Winnsboro was among the dozen residents taking to the podium, urging council members to take action to save Element.

    “It is time for us to drop that ‘oh well’ attitude, to stand up for our county against the potential job losses,” Gilbert said. “You can only poke a cat so long before it can scratch you. Let’s start scratching. Let’s save Element.”

    Others used the Element news to lobby for the county to approve repurposing the Mt. Zion Institute building in Winnsboro into a new county administrative building to spur economic activity downtown.
    Terry Vickers, president and CEO of the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, was among them.

    “I’ve been giving plenty of interviews too. It is poor Winnsboro, poor Winnsboro,” Vickers said. “We are not poor Winnsboro and we are not poor Fairfield County. Please don’t let one item [Mt. Zion] be divisive in this community.”

  • Council OKs first Mt. Zion vote

    Proposed Mt. Zion renovation

    WINNSBORO – With Fairfield County stung by massive job losses and another 120 positions expected to vanish, development of a new $11.4 million county administration building aims to ease some of that pain.

    Supporters also note tax credits would finance the majority of costs of renovating the Mt. Zion Institute site in Winnsboro, lowering the county’s costs to about $5M.

    But a large number some residents opposing the plans fear it will threaten the property’s historical character and turn the area into a traffic nightmare.

    “I applaud council finding alternative ways to funding this county council building. However this project is wrought with controversy,” said Ridgeway resident Shirley Green. “Let’s not court controversy. It’s the kind of controversy that pits our citizens against each other. An administrative building is not an economic driver.”

    Winnsboro resident Bill Haslett, however, said revitalizing the Mt. Zion property would unite the county, not divide it.

    “Fairfield County is not going to grow unless we take down the dividing line between Zion Hill and Mount Zion. Mt. Zion needs to be redeveloped,” he said. “We’ve had nothing but negative news in this county for the past six months and I’m tired of it. We need some positive news instead of people bickering back and forth.”

    On Monday, Fairfield County Council voted 4-1 for first reading of an ordinance authorizing development of a new administration building, as well as a lease agreement associated with the project.

    Councilman Mikel Trapp cast the lone dissenting vote. Council members Dan Ruff and Douglas Pauley abstained.

    Trapp didn’t specifically why he voted against the ordinance, though during discussion of the proposed measure, he raised concerns about revenue sources and costs, which are not finite.

    “Once that number changes, we’ll have to revote,” Trapp said.

    Council Chairman Billy Smith said the county is “in the driver’s seat,” noting that the builder faces the most risk.

    “I think the best way to structure it is to put the contractor at risk, not the county,” Smith said. “We’ve got two more readings to flush this out. We all know the first reading is procedural.”

    Both Ruff and Pauley said they wanted more information before casting a vote.

    “I just need a little more time to get information and feedback,” Ruff said.

    Pauley asked for a lot more.

    “The vote concerning the project is a very important vote and a vote I would not take lightly,” he said. “My reason for abstaining tonight, there are a few questions I’ll present to the county administrator before I make my decision.”

    Pauley requested detailed information about the county’s outstanding debts, as well as alternative sites for the administration building.

    “We can get that information together for you,” County Administrator Jason Taylor said.

    Two more readings are required before the deal becomes official.

    Rory Dowling with 1st & Main, a Durham, North Carolina firm working with the county, hopes that will be soon.

    Dowling said he hopes an agreement can be finalized within 30 days, and to apply for a building permit by early 2019. The goal, he said, is to begin construction within 10 months, with a grand opening by April 2020.

    As for spurring economic development, Dowling noted that the building would bring about 120 employees daily to downtown Winnsboro.

    “When you have 120 people within walking distance, it helps keep the lights on at some of these establishments,” he said.

    If constructed, the four-story structure would include 45,000 square feet of space, more than doubling the existing 21,000-square-foot administration building at 350 Columbia Road.

    The new structure would house administrative offices, the sheriff’s office, a daycare center, and parks and recreation with a new gym. County council chambers would also move to the new building, making use of the old auditorium.

    About half of the $11.5 project would come from a series of state and federal historic tax credits totaling $5.4 million.

    Another $4.5 million would come in the form of a construction loan, as well as $1.1 million in equity from money 1st and Main would raise itself.

    Dowling said he felt confident the tax credits would be awarded, but acknowledged there aren’t any guarantees.

    “This is a tax credit program that’s geared toward a low income tax tract, which this is,” he said. “We hope to know more in October when some of these [organizations] receive some feedback on a federal level on whether they can expect some level of credits.”

    This article was updated 8/20/18 at 3:06 p.m. to correct the county’s cost from $5K to $5M. 

  • Local man charged with child porn

    Johnson

    COLUMBIA – On Wednesday, Aug. 15,  South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of William Edward Johnson, 34, of Columbia, near Lake Carolina on six charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor.

    Investigators state Johnson possessed multiple files of child pornography.

    Johnson was arrested on August 14, 2018. He is charged with six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to ten years imprisonment on each count.

    The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

    Updated 8.16.18 at 7:58 pm – Aug. 22 changed to Aug. 165

  • Lions Clubs sight event set for Sunday

    Roy Hoshall, Bobbie Dove and Kerry England make their choices early during the 2016 silent auction.

    BLYTHEWOOD – Four Lions Clubs will host their annual Night for Sight and Hearing on Sunday, Aug 19. at Doko Manor in Blythewood.  The event includes an afternoon of Gospel music by three acts: God’s Tool Box, Free By Grace and Doug Hudson.

    Clubs from Blythewood, Winnsboro, Columbia Northeast and Greater Irmo are hosting the event as their annual fundraiser for sight and hearing services in their respective communities.  Tickets are $6 per person and can be purchased from club members or at the door during the event which starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. There will be a silent auction as well as a snack kitchen with foods and desserts for purchase.  For more information, call Barbara Pemberton at 803-315-9346.

  • Let The Games Begin – Fall Sports Preview is here

    If you are like us, you flipped the calendar to August and felt a slight shift in the air. The days are slowly getting shorter and soon, maybe…hopefully, the weather will get a little cooler.

    For us, the spectators, seasons are just getting started. But for athletes and coaches, preparation started months ago. While others’ summer days were filled with sleeping in and relaxing by the pool, these coaches and athletes spent their days designing schemes, running sprints, lifting weights, swimming laps. Getting stronger. Getting faster. Getting better. Because that’s what makes the difference come October and November. That’s what gives one team an edge.

    We don’t see the countless hours of blood, sweat and tears poured into these teams in the offseason. But we cheer for a return on those investments for athletes and coaches.

    Westwood athletics saw some returns last year. Volleyball and football made it to round three of the playoffs.  Cross Country runners made a showing at State. Many of the athletes from these teams return this year, looking to avenge their season-ending losses.

    Eagle football was bumped in the first round last year, but looks to push farther this year. To do so, they’ll have to get past newly realigned region foe Wardlaw. Cross Country enters its second season in school history with a new coach – Kristen Chaisson. Volleyball will have to overcome last season’s leadership struggles to find success on the court, especially against a tough Laurens team.

    The Griffin tennis program returns strong players and a settled coaching staff. The sky could be the limit for Syreeta Thompson’s squad. Football had a bumpy start last season, but had a strong run until Emerald dashed their playoff hopes in the third round. The region realignment places Keenan into the region, but they expect the toughest opponents continue to be Chester, Camden and Indian Land.

    Blythewood’s region shifted with the loss of White Knoll and addition of Lugoff-Elgin. Bengal volleyball, tennis and golf look to build on the foundations established last year. Will Epps returns for a second year as head of boys’ cross country and Aleshia Hawkins takes over the girls’ squad.  Perhaps the biggest change comes with the new face of the football program, Jason Seidel. Seidel, looking to change the culture of the program after its dismal 2017 season, is ‘all in.’

    Soon the stadiums, courts and gyms will be filled with our cheers (or silent golf claps). Exciting, isn’t it. A blank slate – a new season on the horizon. Where will we end up in October and November?  Only time will tell.

    Honor Roll

    We thank the many talented people who helped make the 2018 Fall Sports Preview happen. First, our sports writers.

    They report weekly from the trenches, day and night, near and far – Ross Burton, Worthy Evans, Martha Ladd and Blake Wooten.

    And our photographers who contribute vivid images of our athletes in action: Ross Burton, Leroy Howard, DeAnna Robinson, Joe Seibles, Martha Ladd and Kristy Kimball Massey, Carolina Sports Photography and especially our designers Ashley Ghere and Callie Ladd Sims.

    We also thank the following for their time and contributions: Paul Brigman, Ross Burton, Kristen Chaisson, Dustin Curtis, Demetrius Davis, Kelly Edrington, Will Epps, Robin Gaithers, Mary Hall, Aleshia Hawkins, Mary Hunter,  Ciji Kuhlmann, Brice Mann, Jason Minkel, Rachel Peake, Jason Powell, Terrell Roach, Jason Seidel, Syreeta Thompson

    Pick up a copy of the Fall Sports Preview (28 pages) today!