Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to partly cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..
Partly cloudy skies. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: November 6, 2026 @ 4:12 am
A map created by the Index-Journal using parcel information from Exhibit A of Greenwood County’s proposed Project Apollo agreement shows the properties associated with a planned $100 million solar facility east of Ninety Six, outlined in red. The properties encompass approximately 877 acres, although developer Grenergy USA plans to develop only about 460 acres, avoiding wetlands, floodplains and other areas.
Grenergy USA Development Director Taylor Robinson presents maps of a proposed $100 million solar energy facility east of Ninety Six during Greenwood County Council’s Nov. 3 meeting. The project would generate approximately 74 megawatts of electricity and develop about 460 acres of an approximately 877-acre site.
Residents and other attendees review meeting materials during Greenwood County Council’s Nov. 3 meeting at the Greenwood County Library. Council considered several matters, including a proposed $100 million solar project near Ninety Six and expenditures for employee retention payments and equipment purchases.
A map created by the Index-Journal using parcel information from Exhibit A of Greenwood County’s proposed Project Apollo agreement shows the properties associated with a planned $100 million solar facility east of Ninety Six, outlined in red. The properties encompass approximately 877 acres, although developer Grenergy USA plans to develop only about 460 acres, avoiding wetlands, floodplains and other areas.
Grenergy USA Development Director Taylor Robinson presents maps of a proposed $100 million solar energy facility east of Ninety Six during Greenwood County Council’s Nov. 3 meeting. The project would generate approximately 74 megawatts of electricity and develop about 460 acres of an approximately 877-acre site.
Residents and other attendees review meeting materials during Greenwood County Council’s Nov. 3 meeting at the Greenwood County Library. Council considered several matters, including a proposed $100 million solar project near Ninety Six and expenditures for employee retention payments and equipment purchases.
Before a small crowd Tuesday, Greenwood County Council elected a new vice chairman and advanced a proposed $100 million solar energy project near Ninety Six.
The council also approved employee retention payments, equipment purchases and zoning changes during its Nov. 3 meeting.
Executive sessionThe council met in executive session to discuss seven matters, including four economic development projects.
County Manager Toby Chappell identified the economic development matters as projects Red Hawk, Banner, Apollo and Neptune.
Council also discussed one contractual matter, one legal matter involving county ordinances and one personnel issue involving county administration.
Council returned to public session without announcing any action on the executive session matters.
New vice chairman electedCouncilman Mark Allison was elected vice chairman Tuesday, filling the vacancy created when Dayne Pruitt became chairman following Theo Lane’s decision to step down from the leadership position in October.
County Attorney Carson Penney oversaw the election under the county’s ordinance governing council leadership.
Councilwoman Cathy Miller nominated Allison to serve the approximately two months remaining in the current term. Councilman Robbie Templeton seconded the nomination.
No other candidates were nominated, and council approved Allison’s election by affirmation 6-0, with Lane abstaining.
Following the vote, Lane publicly explained his decision not to participate in the election.
“You’ll notice I did not vote on this issue,” Lane said. “I believe that best serves the interest of both the public and the council, that I not be a part of that process.”
Lane said his abstention should not be interpreted as opposition to Allison.
“That is not an opposition to anyone,” Lane said.
During district reports, Allison thanked fellow council members for their support and said he looked forward to serving alongside Pruitt during the remainder of the term.
County advances
$100 million solar projectCouncil unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance 2026-32, advancing a proposed fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with Fieldstone SC Solar LLC, a company previously identified to the county as Project Apollo.
The proposed solar energy facility would be developed by Grenergy USA east of Ninety Six, near Highway 96 and Eddy Road.
Economic Development Director James Bateman began his presentation by emphasizing the county’s efforts to provide information about economic development projects earlier in the approval process.
“Before I tell you the economics of this project, there are a few points that I want to emphasize about the efforts we’re making to share more information about economic development projects earlier in the process,” Bateman said.
Bateman said Fieldstone’s identity was being publicly disclosed during second reading, ahead of the public hearing and final reading. The company was also invited to present its project to council and answer questions before final action on the agreement.
Pruitt thanked company representatives for agreeing to be identified during second reading, saying the disclosure would give residents time to research the company and learn more about the proposed project.
Grenergy USA Development Director Taylor Robinson presented maps of the proposed solar facility.
Robinson said the approximately 74-megawatt facility would occupy about 460 acres of the roughly 867-acre property, with construction expected to begin in spring 2028, pending required approvals.
The project is expected to create about 250 construction jobs, with electricity production anticipated by December 2029.
When Pruitt asked how the project would benefit Ninety Six, Robinson said the electricity would enter the power grid, with its distribution controlled by the purchasing power company.
“I can’t tell you what they’re going to do with it,” Robinson said.
Robinson said he could not guarantee the electricity would directly serve Ninety Six but maintained that adding lower-cost electricity to the grid would benefit surrounding communities.
Bateman said the project represents a proposed $100 million investment and would generate an annual payment of $140,437.50 under the proposed 30-year agreement.
That would total about $4.2 million over the agreement’s duration.
According to the proposed agreement included in the council packet, the project would be subject to a 6% assessment ratio and a fixed millage rate of 302.20 mills, with infrastructure credits adjusting the company’s annual payments to a negotiated amount.
The agreement also includes a five-year investment period and provisions outlining financial consequences if the company fails to meet its $100 million investment commitment.
Bateman said the county negotiated six additional conditions addressing setbacks, visual screening, noise, roads, environmental compliance and construction hours.
The proposed agreement includes provisions specifically addressing road repairs. The six conditions were added beyond requirements contained in the county’s existing solar zoning ordinance.
“These are all concerns that you’ve heard from the public in the past, and want to publicly state that those things are addressed in this draft agreement,” Bateman said.
Bateman said county staff considers the agreement substantially complete, although the language of some provisions could change before final approval.
Robinson also announced that Grenergy USA is planning a community meeting Nov. 12 at 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Browning Gym in Ninety Six.
There residents can review additional project information and ask questions. The meeting is being organized by the developer, not the county.
Residents with questions about the proposed solar project can contact Grenergy USA Development Director Taylor Robinson at trobinson@grenergyus.com.
The Index-Journal has requested additional information from county officials regarding the agreement’s financial terms, tax incentives, investment requirements and enforcement provisions.
A public hearing and third reading are scheduled for the Nov. 17 County Council meeting.
County approves
employee retention paymentsCouncil unanimously approved Resolution 2026-36, authorizing up to $600,000 for employee retention payments, county-branded merchandise and safety improvements at the Greenwood County Courthouse.
Deputy County Manager for Finance Steffanie Dorn said the county is projecting a $1,662,933 general fund surplus for fiscal year 2026 as preliminary work on its annual audit nears completion.
The projected surplus would bring the county’s unassigned general fund balance to approximately $15.6 million.
Dorn said council previously committed $378,165 from the fund balance for completion of the comprehensive plan and funding adjustments related to Park Plaza construction.
The resolution authorizes up to $500,000 for employee retention payments, $50,000 for merchandise bearing the county logo and $50,000 for courthouse staircase improvements.
The retention payments will follow the same eligibility requirements used last year.
Employees must have been employed as of June 30, 2026, and remain employed when payments are distributed. Part-time employees must have worked at least 96 hours during fiscal year 2026.
Eligible employees from the solicitor’s and public defender’s offices who serve Greenwood County will also receive payments.
Elected officials are excluded.
Dorn said the payments are expected to be distributed following the next payroll cycle or during Thanksgiving week.
The courthouse improvements will address the main interior staircase, including reducing gaps between vertical supports and increasing the height of the second-floor guardrail.
Dorn said the expenditures would leave the county with about $14.6 million in unassigned fund balance, representing 47% of the fiscal year 2027 budget, or about 5.65 months of expenditures.
Equipment purchases approvedCouncil unanimously approved two equipment purchases totaling $292,853.85.
The recycling department will receive a skid steer purchased from Bobcat of Greenville for $63,313.85, below the $75,000 budgeted for the equipment.
Deputy County Manager for Operations Rob Russian said the county received three quotes and had previous experience purchasing equipment from the company.
Council also approved the purchase of a roll-off truck for the solid waste collection department from NuLife Municipal Truck Center for $229,540.
The purchase is below the $240,000 budgeted for the truck.
Russian said the company submitted the lowest bid and had previously supplied the county with roll-off trucks and related equipment.
Zoning and tax district changesCouncil gave final approval to an ordinance establishing standards for abandoned and obsolete permanent signs throughout Greenwood County.
Ordinance 2026-30 brings county regulations more closely in line with those of the City of Greenwood.
Under the ordinance, permanent signs associated with businesses that have ceased operations for 90 consecutive days, or signs that have remained without identifying information for that period, may be classified as abandoned or obsolete.
Property owners will be responsible for removing affected signs within 30 days after receiving written notice. The ordinance includes exceptions for seasonal businesses and provisions for multi-tenant properties.
Council also gave final approval to rezone about 2.39 acres at 116 Old Mount Moriah Road from general commercial to single-family residential.
Russian said the change would create consistent zoning across the property and support plans to sell it.
Council approved removing a parcel from the Idlewood Special Tax District and introduced an ordinance on first reading to add it to the Forest Hills Special Tax District. The changes would allow the property owner to combine adjoining parcels into a single tax bill.
Contact Renee Ortiz at 864-943-5643. Follow her on X: @By_ReneeOrtiz
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