South Carolina: Horry County leaders reconsidering AvCraft incentives

January 17, 2012

By Charles D. Perry,The Herald

Horry County Council members want AvCraft Technical Services to assure them that giving the company $100,000 is a wise investment.

County leaders approved the incentive for the airplane repair company last month, but some of them voted without knowing the name of the business.

When state and local officials announced that AvCraft would be getting the money, some county leaders were upset. The company’s predecessor, which was also called AvCraft, failed to deliver on some of the jobs it promised to create during previous incentives deals.

On Tuesday, county council members voted to discuss the matter with AvCraft officials at a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 17.

That meeting will essentially be an opportunity for the company to sell itself to the council.

Councilman Jody Prince, who made the motion to reconsider the incentives, said he wants the same confidence that some council members have about AvCraft’s new leadership, which took over in 2010.

“I need that same warm and fuzzy feeling that they have,” he said.

Other council members said they want AvCraft officials to explain the difference between the company that didn’t hold up its end of past bargains and the current leadership.

Economic development officials also plan to attend Tuesday’s meeting.

AvCraft President Mike Hill has said the $100,000 from the county — along with a $100,000 grant from the state — would be used to buy equipment and add space so the company could begin hiring.

He expects the company will create 150 jobs over the next five years.

After Tuesday night’s decision, Hill said he wasn’t surprised, but he only expects the council’s request will delay the transaction by about 14 days.

“It’s not a huge delay,” he said. “In a five-year business plan, 14 days is not [a big deal].”

Article:  http://www.myhorrynews.com
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