Big News for Lexington County: A New Beverage Plant on the Horizon!
Lexington County, get ready for some exciting news! It looks like our area could be welcoming a shiny new manufacturing facility, and this one’s got a real buzz around it. A Canada-based company called Cardiff Products Corp. has plans to invest a whopping $100 million to build a plant dedicated to crafting plant-based beverages right here in our backyard.
The Job Creation Buzz
This project aims to bring nearly 100 new jobs to the community, which is fantastic news for anyone looking for work or hoping to change careers. During a recent council meeting on December 10, County Council Chairwoman Beth Carrigg expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “We are very excited about the potential of this company coming to Lexington County.” It’s hard not to share in that excitement!
The Location
So where exactly will all this action take place? The facility is set to be located in Saxe Gotha Industrial Park in West Columbia. This park is already home to well-known companies such as Amazon, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, and Dominion Energy. It’s a pretty bustling area, and adding Cardiff Products will certainly enhance the local industrial landscape.
A Glimpse into Cardiff Products
Now, just who is Cardiff Products Corp.? Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, this family-owned business has over 40 years of experience in the food industry. Their focus is on creating shelf-stable products, which means these drinks could have a longer shelf life—how convenient is that!
Tax Incentives and Support
To attract Cardiff Products, Lexington County Council is considering some appealing financial incentives. These would come in the form of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, or FILOT for short. This plan would allow Cardiff Products to pay a reduced property tax rate based on a much lower assessment ratio, saving them about 43% in property taxes! Now that’s a deal that could be hard to refuse!
But there are some strings attached. If Cardiff Products doesn’t invest at least $99.6 million and create 94 jobs within six months after the investment period wraps up, they could lose those generous tax breaks and would have to pay back the difference. It’s a smart way for the county to safeguard its own interests!
Property Tax Revenue and Other Perks
Should everything go according to plan, the revenue generated from property taxes would mostly benefit Lexington County, with 99% of it staying here. Interestingly, one percent would go to Calhoun County, which helps improve relationships between neighboring counties.
Additionally, the partnerships forged through these property taxes allow for an increase in state job tax credits for the new positions. The credit is set at $1,500 per projected job, with the potential to rise to $2,500 if the property tax revenue is shared with Calhoun County. This additional boost is yet another reason for Cardiff Products to consider Lexington County their new home.
Next Steps
The Lexington County Council has already made steps towards approval by voting unanimously for the second reading of the FILOT and tax incentives. All that’s left is one more reading before it’s official—keeping fingers crossed!
Conclusion
As the days go by, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this development. It would be a great win for job seekers and the local economy. Stay tuned—who knows what other exciting surprises await our lovely Lexington County?
