By Betsy Finklea
Representatives of the Dillon County Public-Private (Economic Development) Partnership appeared before the Dillon County Council at their September meeting to request funding.
A request had been made the month before, but was tabled by council.
In a letter to County Administrator Clay Young, DCPPP Chairman Haywood Proctor  said the partnership had received its 501(3)c and in the process “the partnership exhausted a big part of our operating funds.” It says that their goal is “to support economic development in Dillon County.” They requested $25,000 from council as start-up funds to help achieve this. “With these funds, we plan to create a brochure to assist us with our fundraising efforts. It is important that we have something on hand to present when asking for contributions. These funds will also be used for other marketing tools,” Proctor’s letter said.
One of the conditions requested by council members was that all members of the Dillon County Public-Private Partnership sign a conflict of interest statement. This is part of the partnership’s bylaws, but had not been done. At the time of the meeting, 13 statements were signed with some still left to be signed.
Richard Schafer, a non-voting member of the Dillon County Public-Private Partnership,  said he was big advocate of economic development. He said he had never seen a board more proactive and working hard to put industry in Dillon County. He said they were getting “a lot of things accomplished.”
Schafer said under Haywood Proctor’s leadership, he is happy where the board is going. He said they will follow the guidelines. “Like you, I love accountability,” Schafer said.
Economic Development Director Tonny McNeil said that economic development takes money. He said he was pleased with the results of the DCPPP board. He said the budget is a mirror image of the public budget. He said it takes money to go out and market and oftentimes they fall short with the public budget and need a supplement. Motion was made by Councilman Bobby Moody to approve the funds, seconded by Councilman Randy Goings.
The discussion continued. Proctor said he did not know what the issue is with giving them the funds. Proctor said they were trying to promote economic development and trying to get industry. He said the board can aggressively raise funds to assist economic development. Proctor said all they were asking for council was to give the DCPPP the seed money to get started. “I don’t understand why $25,000 is an issue,” said Proctor. “We need money to get started.”
Proctor said the board will sell chicken bog plates and hats if they had to, but he didn’t think Dillon County needs to do that. He said every dime they spend will be held accountable.
Councilman Buzzy Finklea said that he thought the money needed to be given out as needed with a reason, not just a lump sum of $25,000 given to the DCPPP. He said this is how the council does their recreation funds.
Proctor said that the entire budget is projected. He said if the council didn’t help, they would go out and sell chicken bog plates. “I don’t want to have to do that,” Proctor said.
Councilman Harold Moody said that the council should only approve this as soon as the conflict of interest forms are signed. He said they should get that done first.  H. Moody said signing the conflict of interest forms has been the rule for three years
B. Moody amended the motion to give the DCPPP up to $25,000 contingent upon he board members signing the conflict of interest statements.
Voting to approve the motion were Chairman Archie Scott, Finklea, Goings, and B. Moody. Voting against the motion were H. Moody, Councilman Joe Johnson, and Councilman Andrew Graves