The headline
Kershaw County Council narrowly approved the third and final reading of a Fee-in-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes (FILOT) agreement for the natural gas power plant project formerly known as Project Ballast (now BRNG, LLC). The approval follows months of community debate regarding the project's potential environmental and economic impacts on the Bethune area.
Resolution Committing to Negotiate FILOT Agreement with BRNG, LLC (as amended):
Council passed a resolution to finalize the negotiation agreement for Project Ballast.
Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ 4 members voted yesThe official minutes recorded this vote as a count without listing each member by name.
What this was about
Following the approval of the third reading for the Project Ballast FILOT agreement, Council approved a companion resolution to formally commit to the negotiation and delivery of the agreement. This resolution serves as the final administrative step to cement the terms previously debated by Council. During the process, the resolution was amended to correct scriveners errors - specifically replacing erroneous references to Richland County with Kershaw County - and to refine certain legal terminology regarding the prescription of payment details. The resolution passed 4-2, mirroring the split seen in the main ordinance vote.
PASSED For 4 · Against 2. Council members D. Catoe and J. Jones voted NO
Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement for Project Gemstone (3rd Reading):
Council approved revenue credits for a commercial resort project in the county.
Taxes & budget
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council approved the third reading of an ordinance authorizing a special source revenue credit agreement for Candyroot Lodge Holdings, LLC, operating as Project Gemstone. This economic development initiative involves the creation of a commercial resort development, requiring a minimum investment of $100 million and the creation of 150 full-time jobs over a 10-year period. The agreement grants a 50% credit against property taxes for a 30-year term to help offset the costs of on-site infrastructure and property development. This measure passed with a 6-0 vote, indicating a broader consensus among Council members compared to the more contentious Project Ballast ordinance. The development is intended to boost local tourism and economic activity, and this approval marks the final legislative hurdle for the incentive package.
PASSED For 6 · Against 0 (J. Jones absent)
Who said what
» Ben Connell Chairman: explained that the credit is a reduction based on a 6% assessment ratio ▶︎About this project: Project Gemstone »
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to SCDNR (3rd Reading):
Council approved a property lease agreement for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
RoadsCounty property
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council approved the third reading of an ordinance to lease county-owned property at 632 W. Dekalb Street to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The measure formalizes the obligations and responsibilities between the County and the state agency regarding the use of the site. Councilman Brant Tomlinson recused himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest. The lease agreement is part of a routine housekeeping process to ensure all legal documentation for county-owned facilities is current and properly structured. No public speakers addressed the matter during the public hearing, and the item passed with a 5-0 vote.
PASSED For 5 · Against 0 (B. Tomlinson abstained, J. Jones absent)
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to SC Forestry Commission (3rd Reading):
Council approved a property lease agreement for the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
RoadsCounty property
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council approved the third reading of an ordinance to lease county-owned property located at 632 W. Dekalb Street to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. This agreement outlines the operational obligations and maintenance responsibilities between the County and the state commission for the use of the site. The lease was processed alongside similar agreements for other state agencies housed in the building to ensure proper document management. The measure passed with a unanimous 6-0 vote, as no controversy or public opposition was noted regarding the Forestry Commission's continued occupancy of the property.
PASSED For 6 · Against 0 (J. Jones absent)
Resolution Committing to Negotiate FILOT Agreement with BRNG, LLC (as amended):
Council passed a resolution to finalize the negotiation agreement for Project Ballast.
Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 2
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detailsless
How they voted
✓ 4 members voted yesThe official minutes recorded this vote as a count without listing each member by name.
What this was about
Following the approval of the third reading for the Project Ballast FILOT agreement, Council approved a companion resolution to formally commit to the negotiation and delivery of the agreement. This resolution serves as the final administrative step to cement the terms previously debated by Council. During the process, the resolution was amended to correct scriveners errors - specifically replacing erroneous references to Richland County with Kershaw County - and to refine certain legal terminology regarding the prescription of payment details. The resolution passed 4-2, mirroring the split seen in the main ordinance vote.
PASSED For 4 · Against 2. Council members D. Catoe and J. Jones voted NO
Bid for KC West Tennis to Pickleball Court Conversion:
Council approved a contract to convert existing tennis courts into pickleball courts.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ 6 members voted yesThe official minutes recorded this vote as a count without listing each member by name.
What this was about
Council authorized the purchase of services from Sport Court Carolina, Inc., in the amount of $249,239.96 to convert the tennis courts at KC West into pickleball courts. This project utilizes a previously solicited Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract to ensure cost-efficiency. While the funding was already included in the county budget, Council members noted that private donations of approximately $210,000 are expected to help offset these costs and potentially fund similar conversions at other county facilities, such as Boyd Young Park. The conversion responds to the growing local demand for pickleball facilities, and the project is expected to proceed immediately to take advantage of the contractor's mobilization in the area.
PASSED For 6 · Against 0
Routine Housekeeping:
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 CatoeThe council unanimously approved the agenda, entered executive session, and adjourned the meeting
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Inmate Work Crews: Councilman R. Brazell requested further discussion on utilizing inmate labor for highway cleanups; the item will return to the August 11 agenda.
- Convenience Center Hours: Councilman J. Jones requested a review of Sunday and Monday operating hours for solid waste convenience centers, specifically citing resident concerns at Lake Wateree. This will be revisited at the August 11 meeting.
- Administrative Briefing: Staff provided updates on the Veterans Boat Ramp expansion, the status of the Woodward Sports Complex, and the cleanup progress at the Welchem site.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Public comments were dominated by residents expressing strong opposition to the proposed natural gas power plant in Bethune (Project Ballast). Speakers raised concerns regarding potential air and water pollution, impact on local property values, and the adequacy of transparency during the development process. Proponents and other residents spoke to the potential for economic growth and the necessity of increased power generation. A representative from the local NAACP also reiterated a request for the council to consider a hate crimes ordinance.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Next Meeting: August 11, 2026.
- Note: The meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026, was officially canceled due to a conflict with the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) conference.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.