COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

BEAUFORT COUNTY GOVERNMENT ROBERT SMALLS COMPLEX 100 RIBAUT ROAD

POST OFFICE DRAWER 1228 BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA 29901-1228

TELEPHONE: (843) 255-2180 www.bcgov.net

D. PAUL SOMMERVILLE CHAIRMAN GERALD W. STEWART VICE CHAIRMAN COUNCIL MEMBERS ____________ RICK CAPORALE MICHAEL E. COVERT GERALD DAWSON BRIAN E. FLEWELLING STEVEN G. FOBES YORK GLOVER, SR. ALICE G. HOWARD STEWART H. RODMAN ROBERTS “TABOR” VAUX

JOSHUA A. GRUBER

INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _____________

THOMAS J. KEAVENY, II COUNTY ATTORNEY

_____________

ASHLEY M. BENNETT CLERK TO COUNCIL

AGENDA GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE

(Includes Public Safety Division) Monday, October 2, 2017

4:00 p.m. Executive Conference Room, Administration Building Beaufort County Government Robert Smalls Complex

100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort

Governmental Committee Members: Staff Support: Gerald Dawson, Chairman Phil Foot, Assistant County Administrator Steve Fobes, Vice Chairman Public Safety Mike Covert Brian Flewelling York Glover Jerry Stewart Roberts “Tabor” Vaux

1. CALL TO ORDER – 4:00 P.M.

2. UPDATE / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

3. DISCUSSION / BEAUFORT COMMERCE PARK IMPROVEMENTS

4. ADJOURNMENT

2017 Strategic Plan Committee Assignments County Economic Development Policy Framework (Economic Development Corporation)

Heritage/Historic Tourism Plan U.S. Highway 278 Expansion/Improvements (SCDOT): Advocacy

U.S. Highway 278 Corridor (Gateway) Environmental Assessment

The document(s) herein were provided to Council for information and/or discussion after release of the official

agenda and backup items.

JOHN A. O'TOOLE, CEcD

Economic Developer/Community Leader Award winning economic development professional - expertise in economic development, group facilitation, community outreach, strategic communications, industrial development, business expansion and retention, marketing and intergovernmental relations. Proven leadership at the local, regional and state levels. Recognized for successfully engaging stakeholders, transforming thoughts, building public private partnerships, developing broad support, leveraging resources and delivering results.

EXPERIENCE

Eversource, 1999-Present, Hartford, CT Lead, Eversource Community Relations and Economic Development Manager, CL&P/Yankee Gas Economic and Business Development

Responsible for community outreach and relationship development at the local, regional and state levels. Establish and maintain relationships with government, community and business leaders. Proactively manage all aspects of economic development, employee engagement; volunteerism; and business membership. Guide programs that leverage corporate business strategies to stimulate economic growth. Manage budget and supervise staff at a Fortune 500 company.

Reco nition 2015 International Economic Development Council "Gold Award- Best General Purpose Print Brochure."

20 I 0 Northeast Economic Development Association's "Developer or the Year" in Connecticut.

2006 Connecticut Economic Development Association "Member of the Year."

Town of Seymour, 1993-99, Seymour, CT First Selectman - Chief Elected Official Elected to 3 consecutive terms.

Served as highest elected executive official. Set and managed annual operating budget of $33 million. Responsible for day-to-day operations and oversaw the operations of all functions of town government. Successfully worked with organized labor resulting in six collective bargaining agreements. Innovative leadership catalyzed significant economic growth -industrial and commercial development and stabilization of town's bond ratings. Proactively worked with state and federal officials to secure funding that transformed brownfield sites and downtown; secured $27 million in grants to support town projects; and initiated and oversaw $50 million in infrastructure improvement projects.

4 Oak Drive, Marlborough, CT 06447 • Tel.: (860) 685-0689 • johnaotoole@hotmail.com Page I of3

CURRENT LEADERSHIP ROLES

• Chairman, Connecticut Economic Resource Center

• Chairman, Connecticut Invention Convention

• Vice Chairman, Connecticut Convention and Sports Bureau

• Board of Directors, US Commerce Department District Export Council

• Board of Directors, Connecticut Economic Development Association

• Steering Committee, Central CT Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee

• Steering Committee, MetroHartford Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Committee

• Steering Committee, Central Connecticut Innovative Places Initiative

FORMER LEADERSHIP ROLES

• Founding Chairman, Naugatuck Valley Brownfield Pilot Project

• Committee Member, MetroHartford's International Business Council

• Committee Member, Connecticut State University Business Plan Competition

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

• Marlborough Board of Education, Past Member

• Marlborough Youth Athletic League, Past President

• Marlborough Youth Coach -- basketball, baseball, and soccer

• Boy Scouts of America - Pack 39, Past Awards Chairman

• Hartford Public High School/Pathways- Past Mentor

• Connecticut Start-up Weekend, Past Business Advisory Member and Host

• United Way Day of Caring Coordinator

• Home Front, Past Corporate Team Leader

• Eversource Hartford Marathon, Finish Line Volunteer

• Travelers Championship, 9th Hole Captain

• Connecticut Special Olympics Winter Games, Volunteer

• Hartford Veteran's Day Parade, Coordinator

4 Oak Drive, Marlborough, CT 06447 " Tel.: (860) 685-0689 " johnaotoole@hotmail.com Page 2 of3

EDUCATION

University of New Haven, West Haven, CT • Executive Masters of Business Administration (MBA)

Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY • Bachelors of Arts (BA)

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

OkJahoma University, Oklahoma City, OK • Certificate in Economic Development; Workforce, Tech Led Development, Business

Retention, Real Estate and Finance

International Economic Development Council, Washington, DC • Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)

University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT • Financial Excellence Program; Accounting and Finance

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, IL • Executive Certificate Programs; Strategic Marketing, Advanced Leadership, Strategic

Networking and Strategic Partnering

4 Oak Drive, Marlborough, CT 06447 a Tel.: (860) 685-0689 a johnaotoole@hotmail.eom Page 3 of3

Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation / fJ l 7 ()r'_ld"l. .:-JI I'Jr-~1 1 /.'-:...-rk ! 1 1. .n

II HARGRAY CHRISTOPHER MCCORKENDALE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,

HARGRAY FIBER

William Prokop, City Manager City of Beaufort 1911 Boundary St. Beaufort, SC 29902

RE : Support for Commerce Park

Dear Bill:

September 29, 2017

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this letter in support of the City of Beaufort's investment in the future and success of Commerce Park which also serves as a request for assistance in the advancement of those efforts.

As a member of the Hargray executive team which is based and operating in the lowcountry, I understand the importance of economic development and its positive impact on the City and residents. As such, we are pleased to partner in the efforts to bring an advanced fiber-optic infrastructure to Commerce Park. We recognize that broadband access is no longer a "nice-to-have" it is a "must-have" for businesses that need to maximize productivity and efficiency in a competitive market place.

Hargray's investment in Commerce Park is significant. Our initial and continued commitment will only be possible if we are collectively successful in bringing in more business. We support the need for additional funding and resources to help position both the City of Beaufort and Hargray for success with this project. While we will continue to bear a heavy burden for making these improvements, we are asking for financial support of $75,000 from the City to improve the chances for a successful outcome with the project and to help us offset expenses that have no meaningful likelihood of recovery.

We understand that several companies are currently evaluating Commerce Park, and that without an advanced communications infrastructure, the location is much less attractive. With your help we are prepared to advance p·lans that will deliver upon that need.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best Regards,

~tvtc f?? ·-/ Chris McCorkendale

870-C William Hilton Parkway • P.O. BoK 5986 ·Hilton Head Island. SC 29938 • Phone (843) 341-1577 • FaK (843) 341·0182

50.13. (CMRC: Regional Economic Development Organizations) The Department of

Commerce shall utilize $5,000,000 appropriated in Fiscal Year 2017-18 for Regional Economic

Development Organizations to provide funds to the following economic development

organizations and must be disbursed as follows:

(1) Upstate Alliance $ 750,000; (2) Central SC Economic Development Alliance $ 750,000; (3) North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) $ 745,000; (4) Charleston Regional Development Alliance $ 660,000; (5) 1-77 Alliance $ 600,000; (6) Economic Development Partnership $ 450,000; (7) Southern Carolina Alliance $ 460,000; and (8) The LINK Economic Alliance $ 385,000.

Each dollar of state funds must be matched with one dollar of private funds. The

organization receiving state funds must certify that the private funds are new dollars

specifically designated for the purpose of matching state funds and have not been previously

allocated or designated for economic development. No funds appropriated in this proviso may

be used for routine operating costs of the organization as defined by the Department of

Commerce.

The remaining $200,000 shall be provided to counties as follows, provided they meet the

requirements established above:

(1) Beaufort County $ 140,000; and (2) Lancaster County $ 60,000.

Upon receipt of the request for the funds and certification of the matching funds, the

Department of Commerce shall disburse the funds to the requesting organization.

Funds recipients shall provide an annual report by November first, to the Chairmen of the

Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee and the Secretary of

Commerce on the expenditure of the funds and on the outcome measures.

Any unexpended, unallocated, or undistributed funds appropriated in prior fiscal years for

Regional Economic Development Organizations shall first be made available to Regional

Economic Development Organizations and any remainder shall be transferred to the Rural

Infrastructure Fund at the Department of Commerce. If more than one alliance applies for the

same funds, the funds will be distributed pro-rata.

PALMETTO SITES PROGRAM SITE EVALUATION

Property Name: Beaufort Commerce Park Site Location: Beaufort, SC

OVERVIEW OF EVALUATION

June 28, 2016

In this report, we have divided our evaluation of the property into two areas. The first is a technical evaluation of the property, and the second is a marketing evaluation of the property. For these sections, we have grouped the findings into three categories: green, yellow, and red. The green category are strengths of the property, and the red category are weaknesses of the property. For the technical section, we have included recommendations on ways to improve the readiness of the property. The yellow category are those items that are in somewhere in between.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF PROPERTY

The technical evaluation is a review of the property from a construction or developability standpoint. We are assessing the property on its ability to be developed for industrial use. The information documented in this section was provided by the applicant either in the evaluation application or during the site visit.

• The property is 218.64 total acres with approximately 161 total developable acres.

• Park is owned by two landowners. Majority of the property is owned by the City of Beaufort.

• Entire park is zoned Industrial Park by the City of Beaufort. A zoning change will not be necessary for industrial uses.

• Entire property is located in FEMA flood zone C - outside the 1 00- and 500-year flood zones.

~ South Carolina ~ O~p~rtm~nt of CommNc~

• Update the Jetter from GrayCo to state the length of time that their portion of the property will be available for sale.

McCALLUM SWEENEY

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June 28, 2016

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• Multiple wetlands are located throughout the property.

• IPaC Report indicates that the property contained final critical habitat for the Frosted Flatwoods Salamander and the Piping Plover.

• Due diligence studies have been completed on the property but are outdated.

• Park is 1.5 miles from U.S. Highway 21 (4-laned divided).

• Internal park roads are already in place.

• Access into park off of U.S. Highway 21 is not currently signalized.

• Park is 17 miles from 1-95.

• Park is not served by rail.

~ South Carolina ~ Department of Commerce:

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• A wetlands delineation was last conducted in 2002. Update the wetlands delineation in order to determine the location of the developable area.

• Develop cost and schedule estimates for potential building pads within the park.

• Update the Phase I ESA, threatened and endangered species study, historical and archaeological investigation, and geotechnical assessment on the entire property.

• Based on future projects, traffic studies will be completed to determine whether or not a traffic signal is warranted by DOT.

~McCALLUM rt;•;.~ SWEENEY

• 12.47 I 7.2 kV and 115 kV electric lines are located in the park and can provide at least 1 0 MW service.

• A 4-inch natural gas line is in the park and can provide at least 15,000 met/month at 5 psig.

• 16-inch, 12-inch, 10-inch, and 8-inch water lines are in the park or in proximity to the park and have an excess capacity of 0.5 mgd.

• Water treatment plant has 6 mgd excess capacity factoring in allocated capacity.

• 8-inch, 6-inch, and 4-inch wastewater lines in the park have an excess capacity of 200,000 gpd.

• Wastewater treatment plant has an excess capacity of 2.6 mgd factoring in allocated capacity.

• Telecommunications fiber is located adjacent to the park.

~South Carolina ~ Department of Commer<e

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June 28, 2016

• Develop plans, including cost and schedule estimates, for extending utilities into the various parcels of the park.

• Continue developing plans, including cost and schedule estimates, to increase the available capacity of the wastewater infrastructure serving the park.

~McCALLUM l''•z• SWEENEY

• A land price has been established by the property owners.

• Protective covenants and restrictions are not currently in place for the industrial park.

• A Master Development Plan has not been created for the property.

~South Carolina ~ Oc:p.ntmc:nt of Commc:tcc:

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June 28, 2016

• Draft protective covenants for the park that at a minimum address the following: building type, landscaping, parking, outdoor storage, setback specifications, and sign control OR enact prior covenants that were used for existing tenants.

• Development a Master Development Plan that takes easements, rights-of­way, and wetlands into consideration.

~McCALLUM If'·~~· SWEE NEY

June 28. 2016

MARKETING EVALUATION OF PROPERTY

The marketing evaluation is a review of the property based on how it may be perceived by prospects. While some of the information is the same as in the technical evaluation, we are now evaluating that information from a marketing perspective rather than a technical perspective.

• Beaufort County had more overall job growth over the past three published years, 2013-2015 (8.3% job growth compared to the South Carolina average of 6.3% job growth).

• Attractive quality of life for potential employees.

• Potential to tap into military presence for skilled workers, particularly within the aerospace industry.

• High School Attainment in Beaufort County is higher than the South Carolina and United States averages.

o Beaufort County: 91.6% o South Carolina: 85.0% o United States: 86.3%

• Bachelor's Degree Attainment in Beaufort County is higher than the South Carolina and United States averages.

o Beaufort County: 37.4% o South Carolina: 25.3% o United States: 29.3%

• Moderate union activity in Beaufort County. Beaufort County has had 13 union elections and 11 wins reported. (2005 to March 2016)

• Percentage of workforce employed in manufacturing is 1.4% for Beaufort County (2015), a rate lower than the state of South Carolina at 14.7%.

~South Carolina ~ O~putm~nt of Commc:rce

5 McCALLUM SWEENEY

June 28, 2016

• Park is 1.5 miles from U.S. Highway 21 (4-laned divided).

• Park is 44 miles from the Port of Savannah and 65 miles from the Port of Charleston.

• Park is approximately 45 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport {SAV).

• Electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunications infrastructure are at the park or in close proximity.

• Beaufort County is in an air quality attainment area (April 2016).

• Electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunications infrastructure are at the park.

• Land price has been documented and can be used as a potential incentive (city portion) for future prospects depending on the economic benefits of the project.

• Wetlands mitigation may be possible to increase developability of some parcels within the park for future projects.

~ South Carolina ~ Department of Commerce

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