Daniel Prince
Highlights include Development Board's 23 active industrial projects, public transportation's 198 rides
In Supervisor Phillip Russell’s report to council, there are 8 open positions within the county, including four at the Union County Detention Center, two at 911, one in the treasurer’s office, and one at the Timken Sports Complex.
The Union County Airport is working with the FAA to obtain reimbursement for runway paving, and they are also seeking grant funding from the FAA to repave Runway 23 and install new runway lights.
Healthy U Behavioral Health Services is preparing to host a countywide Family Fun event featuring guest speaker Damon West on Monday, March 27, from 5-8 p.m. at the Union County Fairgrounds. West has an inspiring testimony of overcoming addiction and living a life of recovery and service. They are partnering with the Spartanburg Regional Foundation and Union County School District for a day of fun, food, and inspiration. The event will feature face painting, bounce houses, corn hole, balloon art, music, and food. They will have a beach towel giveaway. Bring a lawn chair and plan to come out to the special event. If it rains, the event will be held at Union County High School.
In the Assessor’s Office, there is one pending request for the assessment appeals board.
Code enforcement tore down 5 structures, picked up 215 bags of trash and 49 tires, brought 14 properties up to code, and wrote 22 nuisance violations. Animal Control responded to 328 calls, took in 25 dogs, adopted out 7 dogs and 2 cats, sent 8 dogs out with rescue groups, had owners reclaim 3 dogs, and 21 cats went through the trap-neuter-return process.
Union County Transportation provided 198 total trips in the last month, with services now available in all Union County areas. As reported, the Community Development Office received a $1.6 million grant to expand high-speed internet to an additional 1198 residences in the county.
The Buffalo Mill Pond project engineering is out to bid. Grant-funded environmental testing is moving forward, but the county still needs to determine future property use for the Buffalo Mill site.
The Union County Development Board has 23 active industrial projects, with five new projects opened last month. There have been two site visits in the last month. They are assisting four national retailers with projects in Union. Plans are continuing for the Career Day with the Union County School District later in the month.
Facility maintenance is working with an awarded vendor to schedule pressure washing for the Union County Courthouse.
Emergency Management and fire service is working on a grant to add ten 800 MHz radios to the command bus. The backup 911 center has been tested and is operational, and the new UPS has been installed for 911 emergency operations.
The Union County Tourism Commission is working on an event on June 3 at the Union County Dragway for a Jeep/SUV show. They are working with the Union County Historical Society on a new museum location, and they are continuing work on the old jail renovation and Renaissance Park.
In other projects, sheet rock work is being finished at the South State Bank building. The roof is being replaced on the Chrysler building. The budget workshop schedule will be announced soon. Spring Cleaning Community Cleanup Days are scheduled for March 24 in Carlisle, April 21 in Jonesville, May 19 at Highway 176 and Whitmire Highway, and June 23 in Lockhart. Each cleanup day will go from 8-noon. A new monthly event will begin in April called Leaders Praying for Union. Anyone interested can meet the 1st Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m. at Main Street Junction for prayer for the county.