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WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County government held a ceremony Tuesday morning honoring former Fairfield County Sheriff Herman Young by placing his name on the Fairfield County Detention Center.

 Sheriff Young, who died in May, 2020, was first elected Sheriff in 1992, and served the county for 22 years before resigning in 2014 for health reasons. He won six consecutive bids for office.

During his service to the county, Young enjoyed many honors including being named Sheriff of the Year in 1996 and serving as the 2011-12 Sheriff’s Association’s President. Young was credited with creating a Summer Kids Camp that has been nationally recognized.

Upon Young’s death, a statement on the Sheriff’s Association’s Facebook page stated: Sheriff Young was a gentleman and the consummate professional. He served as a mentor to many, both in the community and within his profession.

In 2014, Young stepped down from office after over two decades, citing medical reasons.

In 2015, he was awarded the S.C. Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest award, for his 62 years in law enforcement.

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 BLYTHEWOOD – Traffic congestion, potential noise and pollution, and hiring locally were among the issues Blythewood area residents raised during a recent town hall meeting about the Scout Motors EV plant coming to Blythewood’s industrial park.

On Monday night, 200 residents packed into Doko Manor to learn more about the Volkswagen brand, particularly any tradeoffs between the promise of mass job creation and maintaining quality of life.

Scout plans to build a new electric vehicle plant, investing up to $2 billion and creating over 4,000 jobs. It’s being built on 1,100 acres of the 1,600-acre Blythewood Industrial Park, southwest of the I-77 and Exit 27 interchange.

Slated to open sometime in late 2026, the facility will occupy about 14.5 million to 15.5 million square feet of space.

Public officials preached one primary talking point: in spite of Scout’s plans, growth is inevitable.

“If this company had not decided to come to Blythewood, we still would be dealing with traffic issues,” said Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh who represents the Blythewood industrial park area. He was one of four panelists at Monday night’s town hall meeting.

“This project is going to help us move forward and alleviate some of the stressors we have on our infrastructure,” Pugh said.

Jeff Ruble, economic development director for Richland County, noted that Scout’s arrival is helping to expedite several intersection and road improvements Blythewood already has on the horizon.

“We’re trying not to create new problems, but to solve ones that are already an issue,” Ruble said. “I think we’re getting a good neighbor and a good employer.”

Road Projects in the Pipeline

Monday’s forum consisted of a cross-section of 20 or so state, county and town officials. Bryant Davis with Richland County’s Community Development Department moderated a Q&A session, in which residents submitted questions beforehand.

Even in the controlled environment, roads and traffic rapidly emerged as reoccurring themes, with questions covering specific infrastructure improvements to day-to-day traffic flow.

“How will the facility affect our current infrastructure?” one submitted question asked.

“During this process, will there be road closures or detours? We are concerned about traffic issues,” another resident asked.

Political and economic development leaders said road improvements are needed to address not only increased traffic, but also to facilitate Scout’s manufacturing needs. Scout plans to produce 200,000 vehicles annually once at full capacity, according to the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Allison Bush, a civil engineer with Thomas & Hutton Engineering, said the state previously identified several needed road projects when a different industry recently considered relocating to Blythewood.

Those projects included:

• I-77: New interchange and overpass between Exit 24 and 27
• I-77 Connector Road: New five-lane road to U.S. 21
• I-77 and Blythewood Road: New turn lane on Blythewood Road
• Blythewood Road: Widen from Syrup Mill to Muller roads
• Muller Road: Add second turn lane at Blythewood Road
• Syrup Mill Road: Add long turn lanes at Blythewood Road
• Community Road: Widen to four lanes and add turn lane at U.S. 21

No road closures are expected during construction.

Bush said most local projects would be completed in 2024 or 2025, though she didn’t provide exact timetables for individual projects.

The S.C. Department of Transportation is handling the new I-77 interchange and U.S. 21 connector road, with that project expected to take about four years to build.

Richland County is building a roundabout at I-77 and Community Road and at I-77 and Highway 21.

Scout also has requested installing roundabouts at the intersection of Highway 21 and the extension from I-77. Bush said the state is reviewing that request.

Employment Opportunities

Scout’s sizeable job creation spurred a few questions, ranging from salary structure to whether or not the company would consider contracting with local businesses for construction work.

The average salaried worker would make about $100,000 annually, with Scout’s hourly workers averaging $58,000 a year. Initial hires could start work sometime next year.

“These folks pay well and they demand a lot,” Ruble said.

Lightsey said the state recently set up a portal for those seeking work to express interest in working with Scout. He said about 1,100 people entered their information into the portal, and 90 percent were from South Carolina.

Scout has also advertised for its first three Blythewood jobs, he said.

S.C. Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey said Scout wants to begin construction as quickly as possible. He anticipated a rapid uptick in hiring occurring by late 2024 or early 2025.

“This area is a largely untapped labor resource,” he said. “They are very confident they can meet their job needs from the community itself.”

The company has said it will establish a training program with Midlands Technical College, and Lightsey said he thinks the company will also partner with local high schools for training.

Residents asked whether the auto manufacturer planned to utilize the local contractors for construction work.

“They (Scout) certainly want to work with local companies as much as they possibly can,” Lightsey said. “In addition to that, we will probably conduct forums where companies can meet representatives of [Scout]. We’ve had very good luck with that around the state.”

Preserving Quality of Life

Officials said Scout intends to minimize any environmental, noise, and other negative impacts, characterizing them as minimal or non-existent based on present plans.

Lightsey said as a manufacturer of EV vehicles, Scout is “very, very conscious” of environmental considerations.

“Their desire is to keep the impact on the environment surrounding the facility to the lowest level, and they’ll work really hard to accomplish that,” he said.

Ruble, the county’s economic development director, anecdotally noted that a group of Scout’s engineers working at the Richland Co. offices wouldn’t drink water bottled in plastic containers.

“They consider this waste. They’re a green company,” he said, holding a water bottle in the air.

As for noise, landscaped buffers measuring 300 feet are being installed along the property line near any residences, said Corey Wise, also with Thomas & Hutton Engineering.

“You’ll have not only a tree buffer, but also an offset from the property lines, which should reduce noise pollution,” Wise said.

Further, any emissions from the plant would be self-contained and shouldn’t migrate to nearby neighborhoods. Trains aren’t expected to haul any hazardous materials into the site either.

While some stormwater runoff is expected, Wise said retention ponds meeting or exceeding all county and state regulations are being added to capture any discharge.

“I do not expect any adverse effects on any downstream properties or roads,” he said.

Lightsey said Scout is planning future community events so residents can meet and further interact with company officials. He hoped residents would welcome Scout with open arms.

“My recommendation would be to welcome these folks in the way that South Carolinians can do,” Lightsey said. “I think they want very much to consider this as their home. They want to meet with and get to know the community.”

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FAIRFIELD COUNTY – An investigation is being conducted into a shooting incident that left a man dead at a home on Reservoir Road in Fairfield County over the weekend, according to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office.

Altrone T. Burrell, 45, was found dead Friday night from an apparent gunshot wound, sheriff’s officials said.

Deputies were called to the residence at approximately 11:30 p.m. this past Friday night after reports of an individual being shot. Upon arrival, deputies found Burrell dead following a shooting incident that deputies say occurred following a physical altercation between Burrell and his girlfriend.

Deputies were able to retrieve the weapon. This incident is still under investigation and no arrests have been made at this time.  

BLYTHEWOOD – S.C. Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey, Richland County Economic Development Director Jeff Ruble, Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh and Blythewood  Mayor Bryan Franklin will meet with the public to discuss and answer questions about Scout Motors’ investment in the county and town.

WHEN: 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday, March 13

WHERE: Doko Manor, 100 Alvina Hagood Circle, Blythewood

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear what this investment will mean for the local community and submit questions to Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh, S.C. Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey and Richland County Economic Development Director Jeff Ruble.

The event will also stream live online for those who are unable to attend in person at townofblythewood.com and on Richland County’s YouTube page.

State and county incentives will fund new I-77 interchange, several traffic circles in the town, and other improvements to roads to help alleviate traffic in and around Blythewood.

CORRECTION: There is a traffic light at Syrup Mill and Blythewood Roads – NOT a traffic circle. The map above has been updated to reflect the correction.

COLUMBIA – The Richland County Economic Development Office announced on Monday that Scout Motors EV, which is backed by Volkswagen, is bringing its manufacturing operations to Blythewood’s new industrial park off Blythewood Road.

The plant will build all-electric trucks and SUVs under the Scout brand with production expected to eventually reach 200,000 vehicles per year.

“Originally produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980, Scout was an early SUV that stopped being made in the 1980’s,” according to a statement released by the SC Department of Commerce. “Scout Motors is bringing it back as both a truck and an SUV, both all-electric.”

The company’s planned $2 billion investment and its potential to create 4,000 jobs, would both set all-time records for a Richland County economic development project according to county officials.

Choosing Blythewood

During a remote roundtable Monday morning with Governor Henry McMaster, Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh and Secretary of the SC Department of Economic Development Harry Lightsey, Keogh said the company looked at 74 sites around the country before choosing the Blythewood site to establish the world’s first manufacturer of the Scout electric vehicles.

Incentives offered by the state and county to attract the company included $1.291 billion over and above tax and other incentives.

Blythewood Road Improvements

Approximately $650 million of the $1.291 billion state incentive package will be used to fund improvements to roads in and around Blythewood to support this project and to help alleviate traffic in the Blythewood area that is already unmanageable at times, according to Jeff Ruble, Director of Richland County’s Department of Economic Development.

“The improvements to Blythewood area roads are in addition to the current penny-tax plan to widen Blythewood Road from the Exit 27 Interchange to Syrup Mill Road and to add a traffic circle near Cobblestone Park,” Ruble told The Voice. “We’ll be making additional improvements between the interchange and the traffic circle, and we’ll continue the four lanes on Blythewood Road from Syrup Mill all the way to Muller Road,” he said.

“Just about everywhere in town that there’s a road leading to the plant, the company plans to improve the intersections,” Ruble continued.

“The entrance into the industrial site off Blythewood Road will be located at Syrup Mill Road,” he said, “and we’re going to install some long turn lanes to alleviate traffic problems there. We’ll also be landscaping the 300-foot-wide buffer along Blythewood Road across from Cobblestone Park, and we’re going to do it right. Our goal is to make it look like the entrance to Cobblestone,” Ruble said.

Community Road Widened

Community Road, he said, will also be widened to four lanes.

“The goal of the company is to have most of the traffic, including employees, coming off I-77 at the new interchange or from a new road extension from Highway 21 through the Google property to the front and main entrance of the plant. This should keep a lot of the to-and-from plant traffic out of Blythewood and easily onto the interstate.”

Ruble explained that a rail spur will run from the track on the east side of Hwy 21 across Hwy 21 and extend to a rail bridge over I-77 at the lower part of the company’s complex.

“Several traffic circles will also be incorporated into some of the road improvements, particularly at Syrup Mill and Blythewood Road, at Highway 21 where it connects to the extension road through the Google property, and at intersections within the industrial site,” Rubble said.

During the Monday roundtable meeting, Lightsey echoed concern for easing local traffic.

“The new interchange and these road improvements will actually help and benefit the residents of the Blythewood community,” Lightsey said. “It will improve the traffic flow and keep traffic coming to and from the site out of downtown Blythewood.”

Plans for the $650 million incentive also include upgrades to the Blythewood fire station, and stipends to support eligible employees’ childcare costs. An onsite child care facility is also planned.

The $1.291 billion incentive package also included $400 million for the company to build facilities on the site; a $200 million loan for soil stabilization (paid back at 5 percent interest); $25 million to build a publicly owned Midlands Technical College training center for employment with Scout Motors; and $16 million for property acquisition for construction of the railroad spur to the site.

Other county incentives include a reduction in the company’s property tax assessment ratio from six percent to four percent over 40 years. County officials say the company would also be eligible for a 50 percent tax break through an infrastructure tax credit.

Richland County Council is scheduled to give the package third reading on March 21.

Scout is planning to break ground on the new manufacturing facility in mid-2023 and begin production by the end of 2026.

“This proposed manufacturing facility marks a major milestone in the history of Richland County and the potential to be our most significant economic development project to date,” said Overture Walker, Chair of the Richland County Council. “This decision represents a transformational breakthrough that would position us at the forefront of the clean energy future while promising to boost the quality of life for residents across our county for generations to come.”

“Richland County has spent years laying the groundwork for today’s historic announcement, and we are thrilled that Scout shares our view that this area is the ideal location for a world-class company to plant its flag,” Ruble said.

Most hiring is expected to happen toward the end of 2025, according to officials. Individuals interested in joining the Scout team should visit readySC’s recruitment website.

Map updated 3/13/2022 at 9:28 a.m.

JENKINSVILLE – One person died in an early Monday morning crash on Highway 213 near Alston Road in Fairfield County.

Brian Deshawn Willingham, 19, of Jenkinsville, died in the accident, Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill said.

The two-vehicle crash occurred at 6:14 a.m. about two miles south of Jenkinsville.

A 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, driven by Willingham, was traveling north on Hwy 213 when it collided with a 2014 Peter Built tractor trailer traveling south, according to Corporal Tyler Tidwell with the SC Highway Patrol.

Willingham died in the crash. The driver of the Peter Built tractor trailer was injured and transported to MUSC Fairfield.

The crash is being investigate by the SC Highway Patrol. More information about the accident will be posted as it becomes available.

COLUMBIA: The Richland County Economic Development Office has announced that Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout”), which is backed by Volkswagon and makes the next-generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, has announced it will establish its manufacturing operations in Blythewood.

 The company’s planned $2 billion investment has the potential to create 4,000 or more permanent jobs and 200,000 vehicles a year.  

The state of South Carolina and Richland County plan to make significant investments to infrastructure and roads in and around Blythewood to support this project and to help alleviate traffic in the Blythewood area. This investment is in addition to the current penny-tax plan to improve Blythewood Road.  

Richland County also plans to dedicate funding to upgrade the Blythewood Fire Station, and as part of the County’s incentive package, employees at Scout would be eligible for stipends to support employees’ childcare. 

The Blythewood Industrial Site, off Interstate 77, spans approximately 1,600 acres, with the plant itself occupying 1,100 acres. Scout is planning to break ground on the new manufacturing facility in Blythewood Industrial Park in mid-2023, and vehicle production is targeted to begin by the end of 2026.

Richland County Council is scheduled to give the package third reading on March 21.

“This proposed manufacturing facility marks a major milestone in the history of Richland County and the potential for our most significant economic development project to date,” said Overture Walker, Chair of the Richland County Council. “This decision represents a transformational breakthrough that would position us at the forefront of the clean energy future while promising to boost the quality of life for residents across our County for generations to come.”

 “Richland County has spent years laying the groundwork for today’s historic announcement, and we are thrilled that Scout shares our view that this area is the ideal location for a world-class company to plant its flag,” said Jeff Ruble, Director of the Richland County Economic Development Office. “With our supportive business development network, vibrant workforce, culture of innovation, and connectivity to key strategic hubs, Richland County has created a strong economic foundation that Scout would be able to build upon in the years to come.”

 Originally produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980, Scout was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. Building on that celebrated legacy, Scout will be making the next generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs in the same tradition that made the original Scout vehicles an American icon. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Scout Motors to the town of Blythewood,” said Bryan S. Franklin, Mayor of the Town of Blythewood. “This historic investment will bring thousands of jobs, economic growth and opportunity to our local community. We are honored to have been selected for this exciting new venture. We look forward to working closely with our partners, community members and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this project and to build a bright future for our town and our region.” 

“We’re honored to partner with South Carolina to usher in this new era for Scout,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors. “Gov. McMaster is committed to investing in the state’s people, and we plan to bring new opportunities to grow this community of innovators. The world needs more Scouts, and this is an important step in honoring Scout heritage and electrifying its future.”

VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA USE: https://youtu.be/BBvasRY8YSE

Individuals interested in joining the Scout team should visit readySC’s recruitment website.

BLYTHEWOOD – Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the IGA parking lot in Blythewood on March 2, where a body was discovered about 10:30 that morning on the edge of the parking lot.

The body, partially hidden by shrubbery, was discovered by residents of the apartment building who were walking to the IGA grocery store when they could partially see a person’s body underneath shrubbery along the edge of the parking lot.

Officers on scene confirmed the deceased is a male and was reported to be a resident of a senior apartment building next to the parking lot.

The Richland County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the man, or publicly released a cause of death. According to officials there were no obvious signs of trauma. The coroner’s office will perform an autopsy to determine how the man died, the sheriff’s department said.

No other information is available at this time.