Dirt to be moved at empty industrial park

What’s described as “mass” grading project at Oconee’s Golden Corner Commerce Park is in the works — the result of a vote last week by Oconee County Council to award a Phase II contract to Greenville’s Thomas and Hutton.  The Phase II contract amounts to $75 thousand, which makes for a job worth $244,500 counting Phase 1 of the grading project.  According to Jamie Gilbert of the Oconee Economic Alliance, 42 acres at the park will be made ready for a developer.  County Council’s backup material on the project reads:  “The property is served by water, sewer, electric and natural gas, all of which have sizeable capacities capable of supporting large scale industrial projects.  The property is considered one of the best industrial sites between Atlanta and Raleigh, NC and over the past several years has drawn considerable interest from a number of manufacturing projects.  The inability to secure one or more businesses at GCCP can be directly tied to the property’s undeveloped and raw status.  While infrastructure is located at the site, no work has been done to prepare the property for development and is a major consideration when businesses are evaluating locations in multiple states.  No portion of GCCP has been cleared or graded, and its topography appears challenging to many prospective businesses….”