Optimism for a deal to go through

Oconee County officials are optimistic a deal will be completed by early fall that will provide for an existing county industry to expand and add jobs.  They are not identifying the industry by name, but say there will be a hearing for the public to comment on the aspects of the deal for a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement.  So far, the project is code-named “Urban Mine.” County Council last night gave first and final approval to an inducement resolution.  Annie Caggiano, Oconee’s chief economic development recruiter, says, for now, the agreement will remain in the hands of attorneys, but she looks forward to a positive resolution. Sharing that optimism is Julian Davis.  The council chairman predicted, “You will actually see coming across three readings and a public hearing coming up in the next couple of months, probably starting in the beginning of October.”  He says it’s an existing industry that has spent well over $75 million dollars of investments and is expanding and will include $40 million in additional investments.