Council approves second reading for Project Ballast and Project Gemstone tax incentives
In a split 4-3 vote, council advanced a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement for Project Ballast, a proposed 500-megawatt natural gas power plant, despite significant public opposition from nearby residents citing health and environmental concerns. Separately, council unanimously approved second reading for Project Gemstone, a commercial resort development, with officials noting the project involves no residential components.
8 votes8 passed2 split
The vote behind the headline
Project Ballast Tax Incentives (2nd Reading):Council approved a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement for a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant.Taxes & budgetJobs & economy
Yes 4 · No 3
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How they voted
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Russell Brazell✗ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy Jones
This 4-3 vote moves the second reading of a tax incentive package for a project code-named Project Ballast, a proposed natural gas power plant. The measure provides a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement and special source revenue credits to the developer. The project has drawn significant public opposition from residents living near the proposed site on Timrod Road, who cited concerns about groundwater contamination, air quality, noise pollution, and declining property values. Supporters and some Council members emphasized that the site is already zoned for such industrial use and that the project represents a significant economic investment, even if it creates fewer direct jobs than some residents anticipated. Opponents on Council argued that the potential environmental and quality-of-life impacts on nearby families outweigh the economic benefits. The project still requires a third and final reading before the agreement is finalized.
Project Ballast Tax Incentives (2nd Reading):Council approved a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement for a 500-megawatt natural gas power plant.Taxes & budgetJobs & economy
Yes 4 · No 3
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How they voted
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Russell Brazell✗ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy Jones
This 4-3 vote moves the second reading of a tax incentive package for a project code-named Project Ballast, a proposed natural gas power plant. The measure provides a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement and special source revenue credits to the developer. The project has drawn significant public opposition from residents living near the proposed site on Timrod Road, who cited concerns about groundwater contamination, air quality, noise pollution, and declining property values. Supporters and some Council members emphasized that the site is already zoned for such industrial use and that the project represents a significant economic investment, even if it creates fewer direct jobs than some residents anticipated. Opponents on Council argued that the potential environmental and quality-of-life impacts on nearby families outweigh the economic benefits. The project still requires a third and final reading before the agreement is finalized.
Council unanimously approved the second reading of a fee-in-lieu of tax and special source revenue credit agreement for Project Gemstone. The developer plans to invest over $100 million in a commercial resort project that will create at least 150 full-time jobs. The agreement includes a 50% special source revenue credit over a 30-year term and a six percent assessment ratio. During the meeting, representatives for the project clarified that the plan involves no residential components, a detail that helped secure support from members who are concerned about rapid residential growth in the county. The project is seen as a key component of the county's strategy to expand its commercial tax base and diversify economic development. The ordinance will proceed to a third reading for final approval.
Joint Industrial Park Boundary Amendment for Project Gemstone (2nd Reading):Council expanded the joint industrial park boundary to include the site for Project Gemstone.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to amend the joint industrial park agreement between Kershaw and Fairfield counties. This expansion adds the real property associated with Project Gemstone to the multi-county industrial park. This action is a standard legal procedure required to make the project site eligible for the previously discussed fee-in-lieu of tax incentives and special source revenue credits. Expanding these boundaries allows the county to offer tax advantages to attract large-scale commercial investment. The measure is a necessary administrative step that aligns with the county's economic development objectives. The ordinance will now advance to a final third reading.
Lease Agreement for DNR Office at 632 W. DeKalb Street (2nd Reading):Council approved a lease renewal for the Department of Natural Resources office space.RoadsCounty property
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
What this was about
This ordinance formalizes a two-year lease agreement with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for office space located at 632 W. DeKalb Street. The lease provides the agency with 182 square feet of space for $1 per year, acknowledging the public benefit the DNR office provides to local residents. This arrangement is considered a housekeeping measure to maintain existing county property usage while supporting a state agency that serves the public. The unanimous vote reflects the Council's desire to continue supporting the agency's presence in Camden. The lease will proceed to a third reading before official execution.
Lease Agreement for Forestry Commission Office at 632 W. DeKalb Street (2nd Reading):Council approved a lease agreement to continue housing the Forestry Commission in county facilities.RoadsCounty property
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
Similar to the DNR lease, this measure approves a lease agreement for the South Carolina Forestry Commission for space at 632 W. DeKalb Street. By providing this location, the county supports the commission's local operations, which benefit the region's land management and public safety efforts. The agreement is a standard administrative action to ensure the agency remains housed within the county-owned building. Council members expressed no opposition, treating it as a routine matter of property management. The ordinance requires one more reading for final approval.
Building Codes Ordinance Amendment (3rd Reading):Council amended building codes to align administrative appeals with international standards.Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
This ordinance, receiving its third and final reading, amends the Kershaw County Code of Ordinances regarding building and building regulations. The primary purpose is to conform the county's administrative appeal procedures for the Board of Adjustments and Appeals with the standards set forth in the International Building Code (IBC) and the South Carolina Building Codes Council. By incorporating uniform terminology and updated appeal processes, the county aims to clarify legal standards for permits and violations. This change ensures that developers and residents have a clear, standardized path for addressing building code disputes. The ordinance is now law following this unanimous final vote.
$2M General Obligation Bond for Wastewater Infrastructure (3rd Reading):Council finalized the approval for a $2 million bond to improve county wastewater systems.Taxes & budgetWater & sewer
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Russell Brazell✗ Jimmy Jones
Council gave final approval for a $2 million general obligation bond to fund wastewater infrastructure improvements and other capital projects. While the bond is designed to bolster the county's utility capacity, it faced opposition from two Council members, Russell Brazell and Jimmy Jones, who voted against the measure. Supporters argued that the infrastructure investment is necessary to support long-term economic development and public health. The bond is intended to provide the necessary capital for rehabilitating and constructing essential utility systems without an immediate tax increase for residents. With the third reading passed, the county administrator is authorized to proceed with the bond issuance details.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County Budget (3rd Reading):Council unanimously passed the annual budget, which includes funding for EMS and new personnel.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget on its third reading. The budget reflects a revenue increase of over $3 million, largely driven by the five-year property reassessment cycle, though the millage rate remains unchanged. A significant portion of the new revenue - approximately $1.1 million - is allocated to EMS, including the addition of new personnel and a new ambulance to address coverage gaps in rural areas like Liberty Hill and Beaver Creek. The budget also includes a revenue-neutral provision for the probate judge's mental health funding, ATAX recommendations for tourism, and a new grant-matching fund to facilitate future grant opportunities. Council members praised the staff for their work in preparing the document and emphasized that the budget maintains existing services while addressing critical growth-related needs.
Solid Waste Convenience Centers: Staff presented a plan to standardize hours to Tuesday-Saturday (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), closing on Sundays and Mondays to save approximately $167,000 annually. Council members debated the impact of Sunday closures on residents and potential for illegal dumping, though staff indicated similar shifts in other counties have been manageable.
Human Resources Policies: The administrator introduced a new, comprehensive HR policy document for future council review.
Finance Committee Update: The committee reported on the probate judge mental health funding initiative and confirmed that the upcoming budget includes provisions for an additional ambulance and personnel to address coverage gaps.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents living near Timrod Road provided extensive testimony opposing the proposed natural gas power plant, citing risks to groundwater, air quality, and property values.
Other citizens, specifically from the Liberty Hill and Beaver Creek areas, expressed deep frustration over inadequate EMS response times and requested that the budget prioritize rural emergency services over other projects.
Veterans groups also requested a joint commission to explore a memorial project.
Coming up▸showhide
July 10: Ribbon cutting for KC West improvements.
June 30: Ribbon cuttings for new ball parks in Westville and the Copeland field in Bethune.
Budget Implementation: Fiscal year begins July 1, 2026.
independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript and the official agenda packet. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. 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.
