FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Florence County Council approved an agreement with Rankin Solar Centers LLC at its meeting on Thursday.
Florence County Council Chairman, Kent Caudle, said he thinks the farm will help people in the county.
“It creates jobs, and investment for us,” said Caudle. “So we’re all for it. I mean there seems to be no environmental impact. If it is, it’s very very minor,” he continued. “You don’t have to keep pouring gasoline, coal, or diesel into it. I think it’s a win-win for all the citizens in the county.”
The solar farm company has invested $16.5 million into Florence County.
“We actually give them [Rankin Solar Centers LLC] a fee in lieu of tax which, we’re still getting more than we’ve gotten before, but we gave them a discount on it because of the amount of the investment, and the amount of jobs that will create putting this in,” said Caudle.
The solar farm will be located at 2021 Corrie Farm Road.
Caudle said the renewable energy is environmentally-friendly.
“It’s a clean, alternative energy source that is fueled from nature,” he told News13. “Hopefully it’ll allow the public to get the benefit of maybe a lower power cost,” he continued. “I don’t think it’ll lower energy costs, but it will keep maybe the increases from escalating as fast.”
Caudle said Florence County has a corporative agreement with Marion County and the industrial park it shares with Florence County.
“This was brought to us by our economic development department,” he said. “We’re excited about that. It’s making things to help make Hondas, steel, lumber, [and] canned vegetables. All that can be manufactured here.”
The County Council Chairman said the new solar farm will bring more than 50 jobs to the area.
“They’re higher paying jobs too, and we’re all for that,” he said.
Caudle said he does not yet know when the solar farm will open.
“I know they’re kind of under a deadline after they get approval to get these things up and running,” he said.
