Oconee County Council Eyes Incentives for Major Manufacturing Project

Oconee County Council is set to consider initial approval of economic development incentives this evening for “Project Deer,” a highly competitive proposal from a respected international manufacturer of metal parts serving a strategically important and expanding industry sector. The project, one of several final sites under consideration, is expected to bring at least $40 million in new investment and create a minimum of 100 jobs. Proposed incentives include allowing the company to benefit from South Carolina’s five-year manufacturers property tax abatement, along with a 30-year Special Source Revenue Credit that would reduce the assessed value to 6 percent and provide tiered tax abatements of 75 percent in the first seven years, 60 percent for years eight through 20, and 30 percent for the final decade. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at the Oconee County Administrative Offices in Walhalla and is open to the public.