Laurens County Development Corporation
Board Meeting - Minutes
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Attendees:
Steve West, Ernie Segars, Jeff Field, Jay Peay, Josh Kay, Bill Griswold, Ham Hudson, Jim Coleman,
Randy Garrett, and Mayor John Carter.
Staff:
Marvin Moss, Jon Coleman, Sandy Cruickshanks and Theresa Gille
Visitors:
Sam Leaman (Upper Savannah), Rhonda Cruickshanks (WPCC), Stan Stone (GoLaurens.com) and
Trevor Baratko (Clinton Chronicle).
Opening Comments
Mr. Coleman welcomed members and thanked the LCDC staff for their efforts in preparation of
the Fitesa announcement on October 14, 2008.
The meeting was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Chairman Coleman, who also gave the
invocation.
The agenda was approved as presented.
Minutes and Financials
Chairman Coleman had the Board review the minutes. Josh Kay made a motion to approve the
minutes as presented. Randy Garrett seconded the motion.
The financials were presented to the Board. With no questions concerning the financials, they
were accepted as information.
Owings Industrial Park Covenants
The Owings Industrial Park covenants states that the side of the building facing the main road
cannot be metal. Marvin Moss informed the Board that Fitesa wants to build a metal building in
Owings Park and is requesting a variance regarding the matter. Randy Garrett made a motion to
approve the variance and Bill Griswold seconded the motion.
Resolution
A resolution was presented to the board for approval. County Council has authorized LCDC to
exercise an option with Hollingsworth Funds to purchase 38.8 acres of property in the Owings
Industrial Park for the continued efforts of economic development. LCDC will then sell the
property to Fitesa at a price of $17,500 per acre. Josh Kay made a motion to approve the
Resolution and Steve West seconded the motion.
Strategic Plan RFP
Theresa Gille provided the update:
 LCDC staff to hold individual conference calls with Sanford Holshouser.
 LCDC has provided Sanford Holshouser with all the requested information such as
previous ED plans, master plans, reports, graphs, etc…
 LCDC decided to combine Steering Committee meetings I and II for a cost savings of
$5,140. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th. The agenda consists
of a community tour and evaluation, an ED demographic profile and assessment
presentation, and SWOT analysis and workshop.
Clinton Economic Development Corp. Update
Josh Kay provided the update:
 The City of Clinton is moving forward with PC and the pharmacy school.
 The Dunkin Donut road construction issues have been resolved and the project should
start shortly.
Laurens First Update
There are no new updates.
Existing Industry Update
Jon Coleman provided the update:
 Visited Astro-American Chemical, Fisher Barton, Arrowhawk and Lacks Trim Systems.
 Six existing industries looking at expansion.
 Organizing a CEO Roundtable for November 20th.
 Attended the Upper Savannah job fair in Greenwood Mall and a seminar at Nexsen Pruitt
in Columbia, SC.
 Ceramtec announced expansion on 10/30/08, creating 30 new jobs.
 Participated in a Marketing webinar on economic development.
 Sandy Cruickshanks added that Milliken is also in expansion mode.
Economic Development Update
Marvin Moss provided the update:
 $186,500,000 in capital investments so far this year which makes it the third best on
record for the county. The first record was set in 1998 at $236,566,993.
 The total number of new jobs created so far this year is 370. The record of 923 new jobs
was set back in 2000.
 52 total RFI’s from January to July 2008. Nine RFI’s from August to October 2008 and
seven site visits in September.
 LCDC received a $4,000 grant from the 100 Club to purchase the GIS software to create
information packages for prospects.
 Attended plastics trade show in Chicago and an aeronautics trade show in Orlando. 30
appointments were obtained between the two trade shows.
LCDC Sign Update
The new sign identifying LCDC and the Chamber has been installed in front of the Chamber
offices.
Other Business – Old Laurens Road
Ernie Segars stated that a few weeks ago the Department of Transportation had ordered a stop
work on all projects as part of the Federal Highway Administration review. Mr. Segars expressed
his thanks to Mr. Jeff Duncan and Mr. Mike Pitts for their efforts in lifting the ban. At present,
there are issues regarding the railroad crossing at Old Laurens Road.
Josh Kay added that the environmental review on the road in Clinton is finished and has been
approved. The road design is 90 percent complete and they are working on finalizing the right of
way.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Gille