County seeks ATAX grant to study feasibility of a stadium-style baseball complex

County Parks & Rec staff said they will submit an ATAX grant proposal to fund a scoping study that would evaluate the feasibility, site selection and market demand for a stadium-style baseball complex in Beaufort County. Eric Brown and other staff said the study would identify possible locations, assess demographics and recommend whether a multi-field complex would fit the county’s needs.

"We are actually looking to bring in a baseball complex," Brown said, describing a potential facility with "at least 5 to 6 baseball fields here in Beaufort County and stadium-like style." Staff suggested an initial land footprint of 20 to 30 acres and gave a preliminary capital estimate in the tens of millions. When asked for a ballpark figure, staff cited a range of "20 to 30,000,000."

Brown emphasized the work would start with a study and site-selection process: the ATAX funds would pay for consultants to produce a scope of work, marketing analysis and location recommendations. He stressed the proposal is long-term and conceptual — "not something happening tomorrow" — and that the county would first evaluate funding sources, potential impact fees and partnerships before committing capital.

Board members asked whether the project would be county-led or involve municipalities; staff said the initial scope would focus on the county and that the consultant study would advise potential funding and partnership models. The advisory board did not take formal action on the proposal during the meeting; staff said they planned to submit the ATAX application imminently for the study phase.