A Week in Greenville County: Re-Grand Opening, Protecting the Reedy, Groundbreaking, and Investing in Our Future

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 10-5-25

Greenville County Council/Committee Meetings

• Monday, Oct 6 – 5:00 PM
  Planning & Development Committee

  Committee Meeting Room
  Watch Livestream

• Tuesday, Oct 7 – 4:00 PM
  Roads, Infrastructure & Public Works Committee

  Committee Meetings Room
  Watch Livestream

• Tuesday, Oct 7 – 4:30 PM
  Committee of the Whole

  Committee Meeting Room
  Watch Livestream

• Tuesday, Oct 7 – 6:00 PM
  County Council Regular Meeting

  Council Chambers
  Watch Livestream

• Wednesday, Oct 8 – 3:00 PM
  Board of Zoning Appeals

  Committee Meeting Room
  Watch Livestream

Additional Meetings

• Monday, Oct 6 – 6:00 PM
  Dunklin Fire Rescue District (Community Meeting)
  11353 Augusta Road, Honea Path

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A Proud Moment For Diane’s School of Dance

This past week, I had the honor of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for Diane’s School of Dance, celebrating re-grand opening with the studio’s beautiful new signage and recent additions to the building. It was more than a celebration of upgrades, it was a tribute to a local business that continues to bring grace, creativity, and community pride to District 19.

We were also joined by Berea Fire Chief Gary Brock, Travelers Rest City Councilwoman Shaniece Criss, and other community leaders, all showing their support for Diane and her incredible team. Their presence highlighted just how much this studio means to families across Greenville County.

For decades, Diane’s School of Dance has been a true gem of our community, a place where students not only learn the art of dance but also the values of hard work, confidence, and teamwork.

On a personal note, my daughter danced there for four wonderful years, and I saw firsthand the professionalism, care, and joy that Diane and her instructors bring to every class and performance.

Adding to its legacy, Diane’s School of Dance holds the distinction of being the second-longest running business in District 19, a remarkable achievement that speaks to Diane’s dedication, vision, and the loyalty of generations of local families.

All Photography Above by Catherine May Photography

Congratulations to Diane and her entire team on this exciting new chapter. You continue to embody what makes Greenville County so special, creativity, resilience, and community spirit that endures.

Learn more about Diane’s School of Dance HERE

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Friends of the Reedy River: Protecting Greenville’s Lifeblood

If you’ve ever walked along the Reedy River after one of their cleanup days, you’ve seen the impact of an organization that has quietly transformed the health of our waterways, Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR).

FoRR is a nonprofit made up of passionate volunteers dedicated to preserving, restoring, and protecting the Reedy River and its tributaries throughout Greenville County. Their work includes everything from organizing large-scale cleanups and tire removals, like the one pictured above, to testing water quality, planting native vegetation along streambanks, and educating our community about responsible watershed stewardship.

The Reedy River isn’t just a natural feature; it’s a living symbol of Greenville’s growth, resilience, and commitment to balance. Thanks to the tireless efforts of FoRR’s volunteers, this vital resource continues to recover and thrive.

On behalf of Greenville County, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Friends of the Reedy River team for their continued dedication to keeping our rivers and streams clean, healthy, and safe for everyone.

Learn more or get involved at www.FriendsOfTheReedyRiver.org

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Groundbreaking at Isuzu: A Clear Win for Greenville County

On October 1, 2025, Greenville County made history as Isuzu Motors broke ground on their new $280 million, one-million-square-foot production facility on Augusta Road in Piedmont. This major investment will bring over 700 high-quality jobs to our community and reaffirm our place as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.

The day before the ceremony, I had the honor of attending a private dinner with Isuzu leadership, local officials, and community partners. During that gathering, I presented Chairman and CEO Masanori Katayama with a special gift, a handcrafted butterfly by Greenville artist Yuri Tsuzuki, who was born in Japan, but relocated to Greenville with her family in the 70’s She is responsible for the various butterflies you can find all over Greenville city, on sidewalks, in tress, and the park. Here is a portion of what I shared:

“A few years ago, Greenville was blessed by a project from Yuri, who imagined butterflies fluttering all across our city. The butterfly is a symbol of transformation, and Greenville has undergone an incredible transformation, from a textile community to what it is today. That same spirit of transformation is why we present this gift tonight. Like the butterfly, we believe your journey here will bring growth, beauty, and new beginnings. So, Mr. Katayama, to you and the Isuzu team, welcome to Greenville. We’re so glad you’ve landed here with us.”

The following morning’s groundbreaking was nothing short of extraordinary. As golden shovels turned the soil and cherry blossom trees were planted, a nod to new beginnings in Japanese culture, it was clear this moment represented far more than the start of construction. It was the beginning of a long-term partnership built on respect, shared values, and opportunity.

A Constellation of Leaders

The ceremony drew an impressive lineup of dignitaries: Governor Henry McMaster, who presented Chairman Katayama with South Carolina’s Honorary Sandlapper Award; Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey III, who praised our workforce and infrastructure; and Ambassador Shigeo Yamada of Japan, who celebrated the deep economic and cultural ties between our nations. Also in attendance were Barbara Melvin, President & CEO of SC Ports, who highlighted the importance of Inland Port Greer and our growing logistics network, and Max Stewart, President & CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), along with the entire GADC Board, whose vision and persistence were instrumental in bringing this project to Greenville County.

Why Greenville? Why Now?

Isuzu made it clear why they chose Greenville County. The reason wasn’t incentives or location alone, it was our people. Greenville already has a strong, skilled workforce familiar with automotive and advanced manufacturing. This project isn’t about importing new residents or creating new burdens on housing and roads. It’s about providing opportunity for the people who are already here, those who live, work, and drive these roads every day.

I will expand on this further in the next section of the newsletter!

A National Spotlight on Greenville

This investment hasn’t just captured local attention, it’s part of a national story. During Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s recent visit to Washington, President Donald Trump cited Isuzu’s Greenville facility as a prime example of Japan’s renewed commitment to investing billions in the United States. It’s a powerful reminder that Greenville County isn’t just participating in the global economy, we’re helping lead it.

What’s Ahead

The new facility will be built on a 200-acre site and will assemble the N-Series Gas, N-Series Electric, and F-Series trucks, with operations expected to begin in 2027 and production capacity scaling toward 50,000 units per year later in the decade. That means sustained, skilled work for many years to come, not just a short-term construction boom, but long-term opportunity for local families.

All photo credit above: Greenvilleonline.com / Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina

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Truths, Myths, and Misunderstandings about FILOTs in Greenville County

Economic development can often sound like a language all its own. Acronyms, contracts, and tax terms can leave citizens wondering what’s really happening behind the scenes. But when you strip away the jargon, these issues aren’t about paperwork, they’re about people. They’re about how we protect local jobs, attract strong employers, and ensure that Greenville County continues to grow responsibly without shifting the burden onto taxpayers.

Unfortunately, past councils didn’t always take the time to truly break down how these economic tools work or to communicate the “why” behind them. Over time, that lack of explanation allowed rumors to grow and misconceptions to harden, leaving many residents understandably skeptical about whether these agreements serve the best interests of our community.

I don’t say that to cast blame. The men and women who came before me worked hard with the time and information they had. But when I ran for office, I made a commitment, not just to serve on County Council, but to make it my primary focus, even at great personal sacrifice. Stepping back from my career to serve full-time has not been easy on my family, but I knew that kind of focus was necessary if we truly wanted to change how people view local government in Greenville County.

If that effort helps rebuild trust, transparency, and opportunity for our citizens, then every long night and tough decision will have been worth it, not just for my three children, but for every family that’s ever felt opportunity slipping away here at home.

So today, I want to continue fulfilling that promise by explaining one of the most misunderstood, and most important, tools in county government. Fee in Lieu of Tax or “FILOTs”. What it is. Why we use it. And why it matters more now than ever before.

What are FILOTs

A FILOT, or Fee-in-Lieu of Tax, is a legal agreement between a company and the county. Instead of paying the full property tax rate that manufacturers in South Carolina normally pay (assessed at 10.5% of a property’s value), a FILOT allows a company to pay a negotiated fee based on a lower assessment ratio, often around 6%. In return, the company commits to making a significant capital investment and to creating or maintaining jobs for local residents.

The benefit for Greenville County is predictability. A FILOT locks in a steady, guaranteed revenue stream that helps fund infrastructure, roads, and public safety, the things that make this community strong. It’s not a “giveaway”. It’s a contract that keeps both sides accountable.

South Carolina’s Five-Year Abatement and Why FILOTs Actually Help the County Sooner

Under South Carolina law, when a new manufacturing plant opens, the state automatically grants a five-year abatement on the county operating portion of property taxes. That means during those first five years, while the company is investing, hiring, and getting established, the county receives ZERO operating revenue at all from that project. Schools still collect their share, but the county doesn’t see a dime of operating funds until the abatement expires. The intent behind this state policy is good, to help new manufacturers stabilize, but it also means local governments must wait years before seeing any real financial benefit.

That’s where a FILOT changes the equation entirely. Instead of waiting five years for revenue to begin flowing, a FILOT allows the company to start paying immediately through a structured, negotiated annual fee. That fee provides the county with a predictable, steady income stream that supports road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and community services from day one.

So rather than delaying revenue, a well-structured FILOT actually accelerates it, giving counties like ours the financial stability to keep investing in the things that make Greenville a great place to live. It’s a way to bring money back to the table sooner, without jeopardizing competitiveness or growth.

And just as importantly, that dependable income helps protect taxpayers over time. When the county has reliable revenue flowing in, future councils are less likely to use tax increases as a crutch to fill funding gaps. In other words, a FILOT done right doesn’t take from taxpayers, it safeguards them. It’s one of the few tools that helps Greenville County stay pro-growth and pro-taxpayer at the same time.

Job Replacement, Not Just Job Creation

One of the many reasons Greenville County continues to use FILOTs is that hey help us stay competitive and responsible at the same time, a careful balance between attracting new investment and protecting the citizens who already call this county home.

What often gets overlooked is that FILOTs aren’t always about creating brand-new jobs. Sometimes, they’re about replacing the ones we’ve lost.

This past year alone, Greenville County lost more than 500 manufacturing jobs as major employers like Lockheed Martin made reductions in their local workforce. Those aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represent skilled men and women who have spent years contributing to our local economy, building careers, raising families, and strengthening their communities.

When a company like Isuzu Motors chooses Greenville County for a new manufacturing facility that will create around 700 jobs, those positions aren’t necessarily meant for “new people” moving in from elsewhere. As a matter of fact, when we receive these proposals in finance committee, a question that I ask EVERY presenter is “Will the company commit to fulfilling the job openings with as many local residents as possible FIRST?”.

In this current era of Greenville County, if their answer is any other than “ABSOLUTELY”, I will be opposed to that proposal. But when their commitment is “YES”, then these agreements are then designed to provide opportunity for local residents who already live here, already own homes, and already drive on our roads every day. A FILOT can be the mechanism that helps make those opportunities possible, the tool that bridges the gap between jobs lost and jobs regained.

That’s the kind of stability a FILOT can bring. It’s not just about growth. It’s about continuity. It’s about smoothing out the ups and downs of the economy so that when one employer scales back, another is ready to step forward. A properly used FILOT creates balance, helping to sustain our local workforce, retain talent, and keep Greenville families working close to home.

That’s not just smart economics, it’s smart stewardship of our community.

What We Could Have Done Differently: Lessons from the Textile Era

When Greenville was known as the “Textile Capital of the World,” our community thrived on the strength of hardworking families who built their lives around the mills. The hum of weaving machines wasn’t just the sound of industry, it was the heartbeat of our local economy. But as times changed, global markets shifted, and automation and overseas production took hold, that heartbeat began to fade. Factories closed. Jobs vanished. Families who had given generations of service to Greenville’s mills suddenly found themselves without stability, without warning, and without a plan in place to cushion the fall.

Looking back now, it’s clear that if Greenville County had possessed, and strategically used, tools like FILOT agreements, we might have written a different ending to that chapter. FILOTs give local governments the flexibility to negotiate, modernize, and retain employers before they decide to leave. Instead of watching the textile industry dry up, we could have worked with those companies to lower their tax burden in exchange for modernizing equipment, diversifying production, and keeping jobs right here at home.

A well-structured FILOT could have been the bridge between the old economy and the new one, a way to help our textile manufacturers stay competitive against foreign competition while protecting the very workforce that built Greenville. It’s the same principle we use today when we bring in new manufacturers like Isuzu. It’s not just about new jobs, but about job security for our people.

Imagine if, back then, we had been able to give our mills a few years of breathing room to reinvest in new technology or retrain their employees rather than being taxed at full freight while they struggled to adapt. Instead of hundreds of buildings going dark, we might have preserved thousands of careers. We didn’t have that kind of local authority or foresight then, but we do now. And it’s why I believe in using these tools the right way.

History has taught us that economies evolve, but people shouldn’t be left behind when they do. FILOTs are one of the ways we make sure that never happens again in Greenville County.

Transparency, Balance, and Service

To be clear, I am not saying I will be an advocate for every FILOT agreement. Used carelessly, a FILOT can be wasteful. Used correctly, it’s one of the most powerful and responsible tools we have to grow Greenville County’s economy without growing its tax burden.

I do not support “handing out FILOTs like candy.” I will oppose a FILOT when:

• Wages are low or community impact is weak

• The investment is minimal or short-term

• Costs shift unfairly to schools, roads, or public safety

• There are no clawbacks or real performance metrics

• The project displaces existing local businesses without offsetting benefits.

As both District 19 representative and Chairman of Greenville County Council, I’ve promised to bring honesty, openness, and transparency to county government, and that means explaining not just what we do, but why we do it. FILOTs, incentives, and development strategies might not make for flashy headlines, but they are the backbone of how we create jobs, strengthen infrastructure, and protect the tax base that keeps Greenville running.

This council has made tremendous progress in rebuilding trust between citizens and the economic processes that shape our county’s future. We’ve demanded accountability, improved communication, and ensured that every decision aligns with the values of the people who live here. With the partnership of the GADC and community-minded leadership, we’re now seeing results that benefit both residents and employers.

A good friend of mine, Pete, likes to say, “Show me how the sausage is made.” And that’s exactly what I’ve set out to do. These discussions are about opening the doors of government and letting people see the process for themselves. When citizens understand how decisions are made, it builds confidence, and that confidence builds community.

So when you hear people claim that FILOTs are just “handouts” or that they’re “giving away taxpayer money,” remember what they actually do. They’re a way to capture revenue earlier, attract or retain high-paying jobs, and build a stronger tax base for the long term. Without them, we risk losing the projects, and the jobs, that make Greenville County a place where people can work, raise families, and build a future.

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As always, here’s to a blessed and prosperous week to you and your families in Greenville County.