By Betsy Finklea
At a recent called meeting of the Dillon County Council, several matters were taken up in regards to the Harbor Freight Tools project.
The first matter was an amendment to the agreement concerning road improvements, water infrastructure, and billboards.
The amendment regards and change of location. According to County Attorney Ken Dubose, the county was to give $250,000 to purchase a site to construct a retail establishment. Harbor Freight wants to move their retail business to another location and use that space at their current location for other things, Dubose said. They had originally wanted the Stuckey’s site, but the purchase was not practicable.
They now want to amend the agreement to change the location to the vicinity of the I-95 and  Highway 34 interchange.
A 10,000 sq. ft. building will be constructed with a minimum of a 10 year lease. Nothing will be paid until the building is occupied.
The motion was made to approve the amendment by Councilman Bobby Moody and seconded by Councilman T.F. “Buzzy”  Finklea, Jr. The council voted to approve the amendment.
The next matter taken up was the Dillon, Marion, Marlboro Counties (Tri-County) Industrial Park Corporation change orders relating to the Harbor Freight Phase II Expansion.
The change orders include:
* Wastewater Systems Improvement-Change of pipe materials per City of Dillon.
* Water Main Relocation-New main line valves per Trico.
* S.C. 34 Improvements-Additional storm drainage in lieu of ditching.
* New Truck Entrance-Cleaning and grubbing of roadway.
* Wastewater System Improvements-Extension of sewer gravity main to City of Dillon system.
* New Truck Entrance-Removal and replacement of unsuitable material.
The total cost of the change orders is $323,544.47. County Administrator Clay Young said the Tri-County Industrial Park Committee and Marion and Marlboro Counties have approved this. One change order is still under negotiation.
Councilman Archie Scott made the motion to approve the change orders based upon CDBG funds and other funding as presented. Councilman Joe Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
The last matter taken up was the extension of the lease by and between Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. and Dillon County, formerly known as the Mohawk building.
Attorney Dubose said as part of the inducement agreement the lease allowed for a one-year extension. Harbor Freight is now exercising this option extending the lease until March 31, 2015.
This is for $10 a year. After March 31, 2015, it becomes $14,000 a month. No action was needed by council.