County Council approves tax incentives for Project Ballast
In a 4-3 vote, the Council approved the third reading of an ordinance authorizing a Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes (FILOT) agreement for BRNG LLC, the company behind Project Ballast. The project, a proposed natural gas power plant, faced significant public opposition regarding environmental and health concerns, with proponents emphasizing the economic development and energy grid benefits.
8 votes8 passed2 split
The vote behind the headline
Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes Agreement for Project Ballast (3rd Reading):Council approved a tax incentive agreement for a proposed natural gas power plant in Bethune.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 Brazell
Following the third reading and a contentious public hearing, Council voted 4-3 to authorize a Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes (FILOT) agreement and Special Source Revenue Credits for BRNG LLC, also known as Project Ballast. The project entails a proposed 500-megawatt natural gas power plant with an estimated $900 million investment and approximately 15 permanent jobs. Proponents argue the plant provides essential grid reliability and an influx of tax revenue, while opponents expressed deep concerns regarding air and water quality, potential property value declines, and the possibility that the site could eventually house a data center. Council members Danny Catoe, Jimmy Jones, and Russell Brazell voted against the measure. The project will now proceed through state-level environmental permitting and regulatory reviews.
Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes Agreement for Project Ballast (3rd Reading):Council approved a tax incentive agreement for a proposed natural gas power plant in Bethune.Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 3
▸detailsless
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell
Following the third reading and a contentious public hearing, Council voted 4-3 to authorize a Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes (FILOT) agreement and Special Source Revenue Credits for BRNG LLC, also known as Project Ballast. The project entails a proposed 500-megawatt natural gas power plant with an estimated $900 million investment and approximately 15 permanent jobs. Proponents argue the plant provides essential grid reliability and an influx of tax revenue, while opponents expressed deep concerns regarding air and water quality, potential property value declines, and the possibility that the site could eventually house a data center. Council members Danny Catoe, Jimmy Jones, and Russell Brazell voted against the measure. The project will now proceed through state-level environmental permitting and regulatory reviews.
Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement for Project Gemstone (3rd Reading):Council approved a tax credit agreement to facilitate the development of a commercial resort.Taxes & budget
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council voted 6-0 to approve the third reading of an ordinance authorizing a Special Source Revenue Credit (SSRC) agreement for Candyroot Lodge Holdings, LLC, known as Project Gemstone. This project is a commercial resort development planned for the Mount Pisgah area. The agreement provides a 50% reduction of ad valorem taxes at a 6% assessment ratio over a 30-year credit term. The developer is committed to a minimum investment of $100 million and the creation of 150 full-time jobs within 10 years. Council members expressed enthusiasm for this project, viewing it as a positive economic driver that contrasts with the more controversial industrial proposals heard earlier in the evening.
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to SC Department of Natural Resources (3rd Reading):Council approved a lease agreement for county property at 632 W. Dekalb Street to the Forestry Commission.RoadsCounty property
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance formalizes a lease agreement between Kershaw County and the South Carolina Forestry Commission for the property located at 632 W. Dekalb Street in Camden. The measure defines the specific obligations and operational responsibilities for both parties regarding the site's maintenance and use. This item appeared as a public hearing and underwent three readings, with the final vote taking place on July 14, 2026. The measure passed with a 5-0 vote; Councilman Brant Tomlinson recused himself due to a conflict of interest, and Councilman Jimmy Jones was recorded as absent for this specific vote. This lease is part of a broader county effort to manage real property assets and facilitate state agency operations within the local community. No public speakers addressed this item during the designated public hearing period, indicating broad consensus on the administrative nature of the lease. The ordinance is now finalized for execution by county leadership.
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to SC Forestry Commission (3rd Reading):Council finalized a lease agreement for county property to be used by the Forestry Commission.RoadsCounty property
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell● Brant Tomlinson (recused)
In a 5-0 vote, Council approved the third reading of an ordinance leasing the county property at 632 W. Dekalb Street to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Councilman Jimmy Jones was absent for this specific vote, and Councilman Brant Tomlinson recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Like the companion DNR lease, this action confirms the formal occupancy and operational responsibilities for this state agency on county premises.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 0 (J. Jones absent, B. Tomlinson recused)
Resolution Committing to Negotiate Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes Agreement for Project Ballast:Council passed a resolution to finalize the negotiation framework for the Project Ballast agreement.Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy Jones
Following the approval of the third reading for the main Project Ballast ordinance, Council passed a companion resolution committing to negotiate the final terms of the FILOT agreement. The resolution was amended during the meeting to correct typographical errors, including a reference to Richland County that was changed to Kershaw County. The vote was 4-2, with Councilmen Danny Catoe and Jimmy Jones opposed, reflecting the same split seen on the primary ordinance.
Council voted 6-0 to approve a $249,239.96 contract with Sport Court Carolina, Inc. for the conversion of the KC West tennis courts into pickleball courts. Deputy Administrator Gerald Blanchard noted that the project is covered by current budget allocations and will be supplemented by anticipated private donations totaling approximately $210,000. Council members expressed strong support for the project, citing high public demand for pickleball facilities in the county.
Council voted 6-0 to cancel the regular meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026. Chairman Ben Connell explained that the date conflicts with the annual South Carolina Association of Counties conference, which will be attended by a quorum of Council members. The next meeting is set for August 11, 2026.
Council voted 6-0 to reappoint Christine Denis to represent District 3 on the Kershaw County Clean Community Commission. The appointment recognizes her willingness to continue serving the county in this capacity.
Inmate Work Crews: Council discussed the potential for reinstating inmate work crews to assist with highway litter cleanup; the item will return to the August 11 agenda for further study.
Convenience Center Hours: Council held a discussion on the upcoming changes to convenience center hours, specifically regarding Sunday access; the matter is set for further review at the August 11 meeting.
Public comment▸showhide
Eighteen residents signed up to speak, with the vast majority of the comment period focused on Project Ballast. Opponents cited concerns over air and water quality, property values, transparency, and the potential for the site to eventually house a data center.
Proponents and landholders argued that the project provides necessary power grid reliability, economic growth for the Bethune area, and a legitimate use of zoned industrial property.
Additionally, one resident requested that Council consider a hate crimes ordinance.
Coming up▸showhide
Next Council Meeting: August 11, 2026.
Scheduled Business: Further discussions on inmate work crews and convenience center operations are expected to be revisited.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the county's official minutes (the verified vote record) combined with the meeting's live stream (quotes and discussion). This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
