Council seeks more information on ‘green’ project
By JIM FAILE
DARLINGTON - Darlington County Council wants more information about a proposal to locate a plasma gasification facility in Darlington County before deciding whether to endorse or reject such a project.
Council voted unanimously Monday to send a request for a letter of commitment and agreement in support of the project to the county’s economic development director for further study before acting on the request.
Councilwoman Mozella “Pennie” Nicholson initially introduced a motion to approve the request but withdrew it after County Attorney Jim Cox told members that in his opinion council did not have sufficient information to make an informed decision on the request.
“This isn’t going to cost us any money,” Nicholson said before withdrawing her motion.
Other members agreed on the need for more information.
“This letter is vague, and it’s got a lot of luggage with it,” said Chairman Billy Baldwin.
“This is something that we really need to address, but we don’t need to go ahead without information,” said Councilwoman Anne Warr of Lamar.
“I’d love to see it come, but I want to know where that money’s coming from,” said Councilman Dannie Douglas of Society Hill.
Cox recommended having Economic Development Director Robert Long look into the company and the proposal and bringing whatever information he turns up back to council.
He also said that before council acts to support such a project, it should advertise to see what other companies may be interested in such a project.
At the April 5 meeting, Frank Hough presented the proposal on behalf of a company called Kramden LLC and its president, Ken Lebby. Hough said the project would consist of a half a billion dollar facility that would bring as many as 3,000 temporary construction jobs to Darlington County and as many as 300 permanent jobs.
He said the project requited no financial commitment from the county and that federal stimulus money, along with private capital, would pay for it. The only commitment from the county, Hough said, would be to provide assistance in finding a suitable site, 30 to 50 acres, and to assist in getting the necessary permits for such a facility.
At that same meeting, council heard from James R. Ladd, chief executive officer of a company called Matrix Technology Alliance Inc. of Durham, N.C., for a proposed essential technology center his company would like to locate in Darlington County. Such a facility would integrate waste technology in the operation of greenhouses to produce safe organic foods. Ladd said the facility he was proposing could produce as many as 500 jobs.