The headline
Council approved a major fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant known as Project Ballast in the Bethune area. The decision followed a lengthy and heated public hearing where residents expressed deep concerns regarding environmental impacts, health risks, and property values.
Fee-in-Lieu of Tax Agreement for Project Ballast (3rd Reading):
Council approved a tax incentive agreement for a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant.
Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 3
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council voted 4-3 to approve the third reading of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) agreement for Project Ballast, a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant. The ordinance provides the developer, BRNG LLC, with a 40-year tax incentive featuring a 4% assessment ratio and a fixed millage rate. The project represents a significant private investment of approximately $900 million, though it is expected to create only 15 full-time jobs. During the meeting, residents expressed intense opposition, citing concerns about air quality, potential groundwater depletion from the facility's cooling needs, and fears that the site could eventually house a data center. Proponents argued the plant is necessary to meet regional energy demand and diversify the tax base. The ordinance includes provisions for Special Source Revenue Credits to offset infrastructure costs. With this approval, the project will move forward through state-level environmental and utility permitting processes.
PASSED For 4 · Against 3
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake: argued the project is a necessary economic investment that is properly zoned for industrial use ▶︎» Jimmy Jones: expressed skepticism about the project's long-term transparency and potential as a data center ▶︎» Russell Brazell: stated he would vote against the agreement due to lack of clear benefits for local citizens ▶︎» Emily Poole: warned that the tax agreement significantly reduces revenue while imposing health and environmental burdens ▶︎» Danny Catoe: raised concerns about the close proximity of the plant to residential areas and lack of transparency ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr.: noted that economic development is necessary to balance the county budget without raising taxes ▶︎About this project: Project Ballast »
Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Fee-in-Lieu of Tax Agreement for Project Ballast (3rd Reading):
Council approved a tax incentive agreement for a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant.
Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 3
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detailsless
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council voted 4-3 to approve the third reading of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) agreement for Project Ballast, a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant. The ordinance provides the developer, BRNG LLC, with a 40-year tax incentive featuring a 4% assessment ratio and a fixed millage rate. The project represents a significant private investment of approximately $900 million, though it is expected to create only 15 full-time jobs. During the meeting, residents expressed intense opposition, citing concerns about air quality, potential groundwater depletion from the facility's cooling needs, and fears that the site could eventually house a data center. Proponents argued the plant is necessary to meet regional energy demand and diversify the tax base. The ordinance includes provisions for Special Source Revenue Credits to offset infrastructure costs. With this approval, the project will move forward through state-level environmental and utility permitting processes.
PASSED For 4 · Against 3
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake: argued the project is a necessary economic investment that is properly zoned for industrial use ▶︎» Jimmy Jones: expressed skepticism about the project's long-term transparency and potential as a data center ▶︎» Russell Brazell: stated he would vote against the agreement due to lack of clear benefits for local citizens ▶︎» Emily Poole: warned that the tax agreement significantly reduces revenue while imposing health and environmental burdens ▶︎» Danny Catoe: raised concerns about the close proximity of the plant to residential areas and lack of transparency ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr.: noted that economic development is necessary to balance the county budget without raising taxes ▶︎About this project: Project Ballast »
Fee-in-Lieu of Tax Agreement for Project Gemstone (3rd Reading):
Council approved a tax credit agreement for a new golf and wellness resort development.
Taxes & budgetDevelopment
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council unanimously approved the third reading of a Special Source Revenue Credit agreement for Project Gemstone, identified as the Candyroot Lodge Holdings LLC development. This project is a luxury golf and wellness resort planned for the Mount Pisgah area. Council members expressed support for the project as a positive economic driver that will create jobs and increase tourism in the northern part of the county. The agreement facilitates specific tax credits related to the development of the resort's infrastructure. No public opposition was voiced regarding this project during the meeting, and supporters touted it as a significant amenity for the community. The development is expected to proceed following the final approval of these fiscal incentives.
PASSED (Unanimous, J. Tomlinson recused). This agreement supports a commercial resort development
About this project: Project Gemstone »
Lease Agreement with SC Forestry Commission for 632 West Cab Street (3rd Reading):
Council approved a lease renewal for the SC Forestry Commission's local office.
RoadsCounty property
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council unanimously approved the third reading of a lease agreement for property located at 632 West Cab Street to be used by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The lease ensures the agency retains its local presence, which is essential for coordinating fire prevention and forestry management services in the county. The measure was routine and passed without public comment or debate. This approval confirms the county's continued partnership with the state agency to support land management efforts.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Lease Agreement with DNR for 632 West Cab Street (3rd Reading):
Council approved a lease for the Department of Natural Resources, with one member abstaining.
RoadsCounty property
Yes 4 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ 4 members voted yesWhat this was about
Council approved the third reading of a lease for 632 West Cab Street to house the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The lease provides the agency with the necessary facilities to conduct operations, including wildlife and law enforcement coordination within the county. Councilman Brant Tomlinson abstained from the vote due to a family connection to the DNR leadership. The lease is part of an ongoing effort to maintain state agency office spaces within the county seat. The item passed 4-0 following the abstention.
PASSED For 4 · Against 0 (J. Tomlinson recused)
Pickleball Court Infrastructure Purchase (Resolution):
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoePASSED (Unanimous). The board approved a $249,000 contract for court construction at KC West
Cancellation of July 28, 2026, Council Meeting (Motion):
Council voted to cancel the July 28 meeting due to an upcoming state conference.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council unanimously voted to cancel the meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026. The cancellation was requested because the South Carolina Association of Counties annual conference takes place during that week, which would result in a lack of a quorum due to member attendance. Council members agreed to re-evaluate their meeting schedule for the remainder of the year at an upcoming session to ensure efficient operations. No time-sensitive items were identified that necessitated a meeting on that specific date.
PASSED (Unanimous). The meeting was canceled due to a scheduling conflict with the annual SC Association of Counties conference
Reappointment to Clean Community Commission (Motion):
Council reappointed a member to the Clean Community Commission.
Appointments
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council unanimously voted to reappoint a volunteer member to the Kershaw County Clean Community Commission. This board is tasked with overseeing litter reduction, beautification efforts, and local recycling initiatives. The reappointment ensures continuity for the commission's ongoing projects to keep county roads and public spaces clean. The member was reappointed at the request of their district representative.
PASSED (Unanimous). The board reappointed Ms. Dennis for another term
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Inmate Road Crews: Council discussed the feasibility of reinstating inmate work crews for roadside litter cleanup. The matter was deferred to the next meeting to allow for further consultation with the Sheriff and jail administration regarding staffing and risk management.
- Convenience Center Hours: Council debated proposed changes to convenience center operating hours. Members expressed concern about the impact on lake residents, and the matter was set for further discussion during the next meeting's new business session.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Public comment was dominated by the Project Ballast proposal. Residents from the Bethune area shared concerns about potential air and water pollution, health risks for children, and the lack of transparency surrounding the project and the possibility of future data center expansion. Several speakers characterized the company's "good neighbor" payments as unethical. Conversely, a few residents and local business representatives spoke in favor of the project, emphasizing the need for reliable energy infrastructure and economic growth for the county. A representative from the NAACP also requested that the council prioritize the adoption of a hate crimes ordinance, noting that more than 60 days had passed since a petition with 600 signatures was submitted.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- New Business: The next meeting will include further discussion on convenience center operating hours and potential inmate work crew programs.
- Next Meeting: The next scheduled meeting is in August (the July 28 meeting was canceled).
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.