Tough But Positive Changes Coming To Greenville County

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 5-4-25

This Weeks County Council & Committee Meetings

Monday, May 5

• 5:00 PM – Planning and Development Committee
  Committee Meeting Room

Tuesday, May 6

• 4:15 PM – Roads, Infrastructure, and Public Works Committee
  Committee Meeting Room

• 4:30 PM – Committee of the Whole
  Committee Meeting Room

• 6:00 PM – County Council Regular Meeting
  Council Chambers

Watch Live

All meetings are livestreamed here:

https://www.greenvillecounty.org/livestream.aspx

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Forging the Future: Celebrating Greenville Tech’s Bold Investment in Skilled Trades

This week, I had the privilege of joining Greenville Technical College and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Center for Welding and Automation Excellence at the Brashier Campus in Simpsonville. This $22 million, 44,000-square-foot facility is a testament to Greenville Tech’s commitment to addressing the critical shortage of skilled welders and advancing workforce development in our region.

The center will feature state-of-the-art training labs, including artificial intelligence welding, robotics welding, nondestructive testing, pipe welding, and laser welding. It will also expand the college’s capacity from 90 to 140 welding stations, significantly increasing the number of students who can be trained to meet industry demands.

Senator Graham, who secured $2.98 million in federal funding for the project, emphasized the importance of investing in high-paying jobs and maintaining a skilled workforce to attract and retain businesses in the Upstate.

Dr. Keith Miller, President of Greenville Tech, highlighted the growing need for skilled technicians and the role of technology in modern welding professions. He noted that the facility will bring the college’s entire welding program under one roof, providing students with access to the latest and greatest technology.

This initiative is a shining example of how forward-thinking educational institutions can collaborate with government and industry partners to create opportunities for students and address workforce challenges. It’s about preparing our community for the future and ensuring that Greenville County remains a hub for innovation and skilled labor.

I’m honored to have been part of this milestone event and look forward to seeing the positive impact this center will have on our community.

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Animal Ordinance Update: Walking the Line Between Welfare and Freedom

Council continues its work on the proposed animal care ordinance, and I want to speak directly about where I stand and what this means for property owners, breeders, and responsible pet owners across Greenville County.

I am currently supporting the ordinance—because I believe it’s been shaped into a more balanced, responsible version of what was originally proposed. But make no mistake: this kind of legislation, which touches private property rights and personal freedoms, is not something I take lightly. Nor should any member of Council.

Regulating what someone can or can’t do on their own property should only happen when there’s a clear, serious impact on the lives of others. That standard should always be high—and this ordinance is walking a very thin line.

I’ve heard from many in the responsible breeder community, and I shared some of their concerns. That’s why I asked staff for a direct explanation, and here’s what they confirmed:

What This Ordinance Does Not Do:

• No new fees for breeders

• No routine or invasive inspections unless serious violations are reported

• No changes to zoning laws

• No restrictions on the number of animals someone can own, breed, or show

• No “commercial breeder” definition or targeting

• No allowance for titer testing over rabies vaccinations (state law requires vaccinations)

What It Does Require:

• Breeders selling dogs for profit must register with the county (at no cost)

• Must meet minimum standards of humane care, including:

  • Clean food and water

  • Adequate space, ventilation, and shelter

  • Routine vet care and annual exams

  • Socialization and exercise standards

  • Record-keeping and a vet-approved care plan

    • There are also new rules that apply to rescue organizations, nuisance barking, and public pet sales. But the focus of this ordinance is clear: set a basic, enforceable standard for anyone breeding or selling animals—not to penalize good actors, but to stop bad ones from slipping through the cracks.

You can read the full draft of the ordinance here:

Animal Control Ordinance

This ordinance shouldn’t be taken as a precedent for casual regulation of private citizens. The only reason I’m leaning yes is because, from what I see now, it sets guardrails for basic animal welfare without infringing on the rights of responsible owners.

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Impact Fees: A Mandate from the People, A Plan for the Future

In last week’s update, I asked a direct question: Should new growth help pay for the infrastructure it demands? Your answer was clear—and overwhelming. Over 90% of respondents said YES.

Now we’re acting on it.

This Tuesday, I’m bringing forward a resolution titled “Greenville Forward: Infrastructure for Tomorrow” that directs the County Planning Commission to begin work on a formal Impact Fee Ordinance and Capital Improvement Plan for Greenville County. This is a major step toward smarter, fairer growth—one that ensures our roads, parks, emergency services, and open spaces keep pace with demand, without sticking the bill to longtime residents.

Here’s what the resolution does:

• Launches a 180-day study to develop the fee structure and priority project list

• Engages professional consultants in infrastructure planning

• Requires public input, including three public sessions and a community survey

• Builds with transparency, with quarterly updates to Council and citizens

This isn’t about stopping growth—it’s about funding it responsibly.

Greenville has welcomed incredible new development in recent years. But our infrastructure hasn’t kept up. Impact fees are a way to match growth with investment, not delay it. They ensure that the families moving here—and the builders bringing them—contribute to the very services that make our county livable.

The people of Greenville County have spoken. You want fairness. You want foresight. You want a plan.

I firmly believe this is one of those plans!

Read the Resolution HERE

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Budget Season Begins — And Signs Point in the Right Direction

This Tuesday, the initial draft of Greenville County’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be formally presented to County Council. That presentation kicks off a deeper review process, including a Council Budget Workshop which will be scheduled for the following week, where we’ll begin refining the numbers and aligning the priorities.

Based on discussions I have had and information I’ve been given, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.

From the sound of it, we will see a budget that moves in the direction citizens have been asking for all along: a focus on essential infrastructure with an increased investment in traffic congestion relief and other road maintenance requirements, fiscal discipline, and meaningful relief for taxpayers. Will changes be made along the way? Absolutely. But the early signs are promising.

Let me ask you something:

If you saw the road paving budget triple compared to past years…

If you saw full support of our law enforcement staffing and budget needs…

If you saw your property taxes REDUCED without sacrificing core services…

Would you consider that a win?

Or at the very least—a sign that your voice is being heard?

We’ll soon find out. Stay tuned!

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This Weeks Council Meetings In Focus

Between the launch of a long-overdue impact fee initiative and the early signs of a citizen-focused county budget, this Council is beginning to do what the people of Greenville County have been asking for: listen, act, and prioritize long-term solutions.

Impact fees will help us manage growth responsibly—so existing taxpayers aren’t left holding the bill. A bold, infrastructure-driven budget could finally bring our roads, public safety, and services up to speed. Together, they represent more than just policies—they represent a mindset shift. One that says we’re not here to defend the status quo. We’re here to build a better one.

And this is only the beginning.

These are just the first initiatives of the first year in a new season of leadership. There’s much more to come—but the foundation we’re laying now matters. It shows that we’re willing to take on the tough issues. It shows that we hear what you’ve been saying for years.

At the end of the day, none of this works without transparency and trust. That’s why we’re committed to putting everything before the people—in plain English, with real answers to your questions—and working together to find solutions that truly benefit every citizen of this county.

This is your county—and your voice is officially shaping its future!

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As always, here’s to a blessed and prosperous week for the citizens of Greenville County!