Plan to reorganize York County’s economic development board lacks geographic balance, residents say

Some residents of western York County oppose membership changes to the county’s economic development board.

Don Long of Lake Wylie said a proposal to remove representatives from the York, Clover, Lake Wylie and Tega Cay chambers of commerce is misguided and will reduce the board’s effectiveness.

Long said the chambers better represent the business interests of western York County than the Western York County Economic Development Alliance.

Long also took issue with adding representatives from specific businesses.

The result, Long said, would be a group of chief executive officers that would not bring business to York County “because that’s competition.”

Long raised his concerns Tuesday during an economic development board meeting at the Clover Community Center.

Long’s comments prompted concerns from other western York County residents about balanced representation. The only board seat under the current proposal that would represent the area is the Western York County Economic Alliance.

York County Councilman Robert Winkler said geographic requirements were considered, but, “we didn’t want to limit us from getting the best person.”

Others were concerned the ordinance would allow business executives who represent York County companies, but do not live in the county, to serve on the economic development board. The County Council appoints people to the economic development board.

As proposed, the 17-member economic development board would have representatives from :

▪ The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce

▪ The Western York County Economic Development Alliance

▪ The Catawba Indian Nation

▪ Winthrop University

▪ York Technical College

▪ Three from York County Growth Partners, the group that raised private funds for the board. These seats would likely be representatives from York County and regional utilities that promote economic development.

▪ Nine members would be at-large appointments with four representing a cross section of small, medium and large manufacturers in York County, two from customer service centers; one from the warehouse and distribution industry, one from the real estate industry, and one from financial, legal or accounting sector.

The York County Council must have three readings of the restructuring ordinance. A public hearing is also required before council’s final vote the restructuring.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Plan to reorganize York County’s economic development board lacks geographic balance, residents say."