Chesterfield County approves $43,187.50 match for Palmetto Sites due‑diligence at Carolinas Centre

Chesterfield County Council voted unanimously April 6 to provide a $43,187.50 match for due diligence at the Carolinas Centre required for a Palmetto Sites designation.

Economic Development Director Libby Lear told the council staff had identified a grant opportunity that would pay up to 75% of the cost of due diligence services for the Carolinas Centre property. Lear said the total county match required is $53,187.50; the proposal presented to council called for $10,000 from Duke Energy monies previously obtained by county economic development and the remaining $43,187.50 to come from the Chesterfield County Economic Development Fund. Lear said the contribution is conditioned on a written agreement that, when the property sells, the Town of Cheraw and the Town of Chesterfield will repay the county in full for the use of county funds.

Council Member Hattie Burns moved to approve expenditure of $43,187.50 from the Economic Development Fund for this match; Council Member Dr. Lawrence Brand seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The meeting minutes record the approval and the repayment condition as stated; detailed grant application text, anticipated project timeline, or estimated total due‑diligence cost beyond the match amount are not included in the minutes.