Committee declines to advance Project Bamboo funding after city vote raises questions

Beaufort County’s finance committee voted April 20 not to move forward with a staff recommendation to provide local site/job fund support for “Project Bamboo,” a proposed speculative industrial building in the Buford Commerce Park.

The request drew sharp public criticism during the committee’s public‑comment period. Resident Paul Tras urged the committee to require pre‑leased tenants, private capital at risk and post‑project accountability before committing county dollars. “So before you approve Project Bamboo, let’s require pre‑leased tenants or real demand, proof of prior projects and delivered results,” Tras told the committee.

EDC executive director Mr. Oul and staff described a multi‑party financing plan that, they said, reduces county exposure — including a $250,000 upfront cash grant, wetlands mitigation funding and a proposed $1.0 million purchaser contribution tied to a separate land sale — but several committee members said the city’s recent vote against providing a $1 million grant raised doubts about whether the full package is real.

A roll‑call vote failed 3–6 (three yes, six no), ending committee consideration. Committee Chair Mark Lawson said the motion failed and the item would still proceed to full council as required by procedures unless rules are changed, but several members said they wanted written assurances from the City of Buford about the purchaser’s $1 million contribution before county funds were committed.

The debate returned repeatedly to two questions: whether previous county‑backed speculative projects delivered promised jobs and investment, and whether a county contribution should be conditional on demonstrable private commitments or pre‑leasing. Mr. Oul said the EDC’s plan attempts to address those concerns and that the city had agreed the $1 million held by the city would be available for the Commerce Park project; other members asked for that agreement in writing.

Because the committee vote failed, the proposal did not carry committee endorsement. Officials said the item will still go to the next full county council meeting unless committee procedural rules are changed.