Laurens County Council Approves Economic Development Measures, Hears Mental Health Presentation During April Meeting
April 15, 2026
Laurens County Council convened for its regular meeting on April 13, 2026, at the Hillcrest Complex East, where members addressed a full agenda that included economic development ordinances, board appointments, public hearings, and an executive session.
County Administrator Jerre Threatt announced the hiring of the county’s new Finance Director, Kayse Fabans, during his report to council.
Threatt also shared that the construction barricade and fencing surrounding the Historic Laurens County Courthouse is scheduled to be removed on April 15, 2026, marking another visible milestone in the ongoing courthouse restoration project.
Mental Health Support Presentation
Council also heard a presentation from Project Officer Casey Edmonds regarding Clubhouse South Carolina, an organization that provides mental health support centers and community-based social rehabilitation opportunities for individuals living with mental illness.
According to Edmonds, the organization operates support centers in locations including Gateway in Greenville, Our Place of Hope in Cayce, and facilities in Charleston and Holly Hill. More information is available at theclubhousechs.com.
Board and Commission Appointments Approved
Council unanimously approved the following appointments to county boards and commissions:
- Bud Martin to the 2026 ATAX Board
- George Casey to the GLEAMNS Board of Commissioners
- Rhoda Gary (District 6) to the Laurens County Planning Commission
- Janice Kennedy (District 6) to the Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs Board
Public Hearings and Third Readings
Council held multiple public hearings and final readings on ordinances related to economic development and county operations.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing for Ordinance #998, and council unanimously approved the ordinance on third reading authorizing the development of a new joint county industrial and business park known as Hunter Industrial Park.
Council also unanimously approved on third reading an ordinance authorizing the development of a new joint county industrial park referred to as the Clinton Industrial Park.
For Ordinance #1003, establishing procedures for county-initiated road closures, no one spoke during the public hearing. The ordinance was approved, with Councilman Philson casting the lone opposing vote.
Council unanimously approved Ordinance #1004 on third reading, authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu-of-tax and special source revenue credit agreement between Laurens County and APTIV Services US, LLC, formerly known as Project Oracle.
Council also unanimously approved Ordinance #1005, amending the master agreement governing the Connexial Center Industrial Park to include APTIV Services US, LLC.
Additionally, Ordinance #1006 was unanimously approved on third reading. The ordinance authorizes a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement between Laurens County and Suniva, Inc., formerly known as Project Sunshine.
County officials noted that Suniva plans to invest $350 million in Laurens County and create 564 new jobs.
New Business
Council unanimously approved first reading of Ordinance #1009, which amends the Hunter Industrial Park agreement with Greenville County to expand the park and include additional property located in Laurens County.
Council also unanimously approved first reading of Ordinance #1010, which establishes regulations governing the location, size and type of waste management facilities in Laurens County.
During public comment on the ordinance, Rick Shealy, a Cross Hill farmer and business owner with decades of experience in the environmental services industry, addressed council, cautioning that Laurens County’s location near three major interstates could make it attractive for industrial waste management facilities, such as land fills and hazardous and non-hazardous waste processing facilities, if proactive regulations are not in place. Shealy stressed that this proposed ordinance would only cover commercial and governmental waste facilities and that it would not include agricultural operations which would be exempt.
Shealy noted that because Laurens County lacks countywide zoning, protective ordinances are particularly important. He referenced Houston, Texas, as an example of a municipality without zoning that uses protective ordinances to manage development impacts.
Following approval of first reading, Council Chairman Jeff Carroll stated that a committee would be established to further work on the ordinance and said Mr. Shealy should be involved in the process moving forward.
Resolutions Approved
Council also approved the following resolutions:
- Resolution 2026-08: 2026 Fair Housing Resolution
- Resolution 2026-10: FY 2026–2027 Clemson Extension Agreement
- Resolution 2026-09: Joinder Agreement for Suniva Laurens, LLC related to fee-in-lieu-of-tax and incentive agreements
Executive Session
Council entered executive session to discuss and receive legal advice regarding findings and recommendations from the Laurens County Grievance Committee concerning a grievance filed by a former employee of the Laurens County Finance Department. Upon return from executive session, Chairman Carroll made a motion to affirm the decision of the Laurens County Grievance Committee. The motion was approved with Philson in opposition and Lane abstaining.
