The Economic Recruitment and Development Committee of Spartanburg County Council met on Monday, April 17, 2000, in Conference Room Two of the County Administrative Office Building. The following were in attendance: Honorable David Britt, Chair; Honorables Frank Nutt and Ken Huckaby, Committee members; along with the Honorables Karen Floyd, Jeff Horton, Rock Adams, and Johnnye Code Stewart, Council Members. Also in attendance were Mr. James Hartmann, County Administrator; Mr. Bill Dennis, Deputy County Administrator; Mr. Glenn Breed, Assistant County Administrator; and Roy McBee Smith, County Attorney.

In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, notice of this meeting was provided in advance to the local news media and other interested parties.

Chairman Britt called the meeting to order.

1. Mr. Bill Hudson appeared relative to a request from the SC Athletic Hall of Fame. South Carolina is the only state that does not have a home for its Hall of Fame. Mr. Jimmy Gibbes has offered 70,000 square feet in the old Beaumont Mills facility to be used for the Hall of Fame. A feasibility study is needed, as well as a business plan. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to recommend to full Council an expenditure of $5,000 from Council Contingency for a feasibility study relative to the SC Athletic Hall of Fame. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried. A copy of the feasibility study is to be provided to Council.
2. Information was received from Carter Smith, Chamber of Commerce, and Elena Rush, Community Development Office, relative to a request for financial assistance for a fire protection system for the new Benore Logistics Facility. Phase I of a multi-phase project off Highway 101 has begun. This is a $12 million investment, which will initially create 150 jobs. Additional fire protection is needed, which will require an emergency fire suppression response system. Because the jobs created will pay $11 to $15 per hour, CDBG funds cannot be used for this project. The total cost for the system is $108,000. It is requested that County Council consider contributing $10,000 to the project. Motion by Mr. Britt to recommend to full Council an expenditure of $10,000 to assist with a fire protection and suppression system at the new Benore Logistics Facility. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.