Leaders eye loan to build new spec building

Leadership for Oconee economic development has endorsed the idea of applying for a loan through state government to build the county’s next spec building.  And the idea is to place that spec building inside the Information and Technology Park where, according to reports given today, available property is at a premium.  Park property, at n. highway 11 near Critter and Mountain roads, is reserved for the Oconee campus of Tri-County Tech coupled with a new high school career center.  Having filled two previous spec buildings, county officials are anxious to start on a third, to be ready if a manufacturing client comes calling.  The board of the Oconee Economic Alliance today approved a committee recommendation to pursue a loan through the South Carolina Public Service Authority known as Santee Cooper.  Richard Blackwell, Oconee’s chief economic development recruiter, said the loan is appealing because it would require no principal or interest payments for the first three years.  The action today goes on the agenda for the county’s planning and economic development committee which, according to County Administrator Scott Moulder, will meet in December.