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MARION COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Marion County Council members approved an ordinance Thursday night during a special-called meeting that could bring a data center to the county.

Council members gave the third and final reading to the measure, which was being referred to under the code name "Project Liberty.”

The agenda lists the company as Eagle Myra, LLC.

However, Marion County Deputy Administrator Kent Williams said the company’s operating name is “Stream.”

ABC 15 wasn't told of the relationship between the two.

Council members didn't discuss many details about the project.

TRENDING: Marion Co. neighbors ask for info on company slated to locate in area under code name

The ordinance and resolution read:

"Ordinance #2026-01 An Ordinance Authorizing The Execution and Delivery of a Fee In Lieu of Tax and Incentive Agreement by and between Marion County, South Carolina, and a Company Identified for the time being as Project Liberty (The “Company”) with respect to the Establishment of Certain Facilities in the County (The “Project”); The Benefits of a Multi-County Industrial or Business Park to be made available to the Company and the Project; Certain Special Source Revenue Credits in Connection with the Project; And Other Matters Relating Thereto."

Resolution:

A Resolution Authorizing The Execution and Delivery of a Fee In Lieu of Tax and Incentive Agreement by and between Marion County, South Carolina (The “County”) and Eagle Myra, LLC, A Company Previously Identified as Project Liberty (Collectively, The “Company”), Acting for itself, One or More Affiliates and/or Other Project Sponsor, Whereby the County shall Covenant to Accept Certain Negotiated Fees In Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes with Respect to the Establishment and/or Expansion of Certain Facilities in the County (Collectively, The “Project”) (2) The Benefits of a MultiCounty Industrial or Business Park to be made available to the Company and the Project; Certain Special Source Revenue Credits in Connection with the Project; And Other Matters Relating Thereto."

Some members of the community, including Dylan Coleman with Winyah Rivers Alliance, voiced frustration over the lack of information, especially about how much water the facility would use.

"The nature of data centers being huge, water-intensive facilities in some cases. Of course, data centers vary in their capacity and their water usage. That would imply the use of groundwater to source the cooling of that facility or other processes at that facility," Coleman said.

Williams explained the company's expected water usage through information submitted to the county.

"Project Liberty engineers submitted to them approximately how much water will be used on average daily. And it's about 7,175 gallons per day. That's about equivalent to a regular office operation," said Williams.

Officials said the facility will be using closed-loop cooling systems, so they won't be using external water sources to manage cooling.

The project lead also told community members they're set to pay for any and all infrastructure costs for the facility.

At this time, it's not clear when the company will locate in Marion County.

MARION COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Marion County community members say they want more information about a proposed data center project after the county council approved an ordinance supporting the development.

Darius Pickett, who lives in Marion County, said the lack of transparency is concerning given the project’s potential impact.

“Truthfully, for this to be such a big issue, and we are talking millions dollars in tax revenue, I don’t think there’s any reason to not be transparent about who’s coming here,” Pickett said. “What they are doing and the impact on Marion County.”

Project details remain limited

Few details have been revealed about the company, the project or the impacts on neighbors.

County leaders say a non-disclosure agreement prevents them from sharing more information.

Deputy County Administrator Kent Williams said the company would cover 100 percent of costs with no taxpayer burden.

If fully implemented, the project could lead to the construction of six new buildings and generate $28 million a year for Marion County.

Community questions economic benefits

Some in the community believe the county should pursue companies that would create more jobs and economic development.

“Let me be clear, this is an opinion, we should be using FEA and LEW tax payments on industries that will come in and exponent economic development and not just use up more resources than they will be putting back into the community,” Pickett said.

A meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Savourie Bistro on North Main Street for those concerned about the data center project.

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MARION COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A proposed data center project in Marion County is raising questions after county leaders approved economic incentives for a company, even as many residents say they still don’t know exactly what’s being built.

Marion County Council approved a resolution that could pave the way for a large data center project, but many details about the development have yet to be made public.

The project, previously referred to as Project Liberty, is now associated with a company called Eagle Myra, LLC.

At a recent council meeting, members authorized a Fee In Lieu of Taxes agreement, along with additional economic incentives.

Under that agreement, the company would pay negotiated fees instead of traditional property taxes, receive special source revenue credits, and gain access to a multi-county industrial business park.

County officials say the resolution establishes a framework for the project to move forward.

However, they acknowledge that key specifics, such as the final site location, construction timeline, and full scope of operations, have not yet been publicly released.

That lack of information has concerned some residents.

“I think overall it is a bit frustrating because you don’t have the necessary contacts to ask more permanent questions, and that’s kind of where we were at that meeting," Dylan Coleman, Pee Dee–Lynches riverkeeper with Winyah rivers alliance, said.

During the meeting, residents raised questions about water usage, power demand, and whether the economic benefits would outweigh potential environmental and infrastructure costs.

County representatives say the proposed data center would use closed-loop cooling systems, which limit water consumption by recycling water rather than continuously drawing from local sources.

Officials also say the project could eventually generate millions of dollars in revenue for the county.

Dylan Coleman with Winyah Rivers Alliance says after researching closed-loop cooling systems, he believes water resources in Marion County would likely be protected.

"So it’s not one of those situations where the data center is going to be pumping continuous amounts of water every day, and evaporating and going away," Coleman said.

Much of the discussion surrounding the project has taken place under non-disclosure agreements, which county officials say limit what information can be shared publicly during early negotiations.

At this point, there is no confirmed construction start date.

County leaders say additional details will be released if, and when, the project moves into its next phase.

County officials say future meetings will address zoning, infrastructure needs, and environmental considerations as the project develops.

A former Oakham man who recently traveled to South Carolina was found dead in a trash container, according to family and authorities.

David Hutchinson, 32, had been missing for about a month when his body was found Jan. 29 in Marion County, South Carolina.

Investigators are treating the case as a homicide.

Hutchinson, a barber by trade, moved to South Carolina not long before he went missing. Before he left Massachusetts he had been working at Euphoria Barbershop in Cambridge. He worked for many years at the Sharpest Edge Barbershop in Ware.

Hutchinson's sister, Jessica Olson, said her brother was lured to South Carolina by a woman who promised riches. It turned out to be a scam, the sister said, with the woman taking his money and cell phone, and eventually dropping him off at an address unfamiliar to her brother.

When he stopped calling his mother in Massachusetts, the family became worried.

"The last time anyone talked to him was Jan. 1," Olson said. "No matter what my brother got himself into … he always called."

In recent weeks, family members and friends of Hutchinson in Massachusetts have been sharing a flyer that seeks information about his whereabouts. The flyer states that he is "believed to be in danger!"

Jerry Richardson, the coroner for Marion County, confirmed to the Telegram & Gazette that a body was found in a rolling trash container at a home on Pearl Street in Marion. He said an autopsy planned for Wednesday, Feb. 4, will help determine the cause of death.

Hutchinson's family in Massachusetts is eager for answers about the death.

"Upon arrival he quickly figured out it was all a setup," Olson, an older sister, wrote on a GoFundMe page.

The woman, who "claimed to be an entrepreneur" while ensnaring Hutchinson in online chats, appears to have never intended to follow through with her promises, Olson said. Hutchinson's barbering equipment was stolen at one point, according to the sister.

Hutchinson attended Quabbin Regional High School and Rob Roy Academy in Massachusetts. He was a popular barber at the Sharpest Edge, with friends from his old high school among his biggest customers.

Meantime, as the family waits for answers, it is remembering a man who was friends with many, someone who dreamed of having his own shop.

His sister wrote on GoFundMe: "David had a kind heart and the biggest personality. He was loved by all those who knew him and friendly to those who didn’t."

In an interview, she added, "He lived his life by the phrase YOLO, you only live once."

The owner of Euphoria Barbershop, who goes by the name Elvis Styles, told the T&G that Hutchinson quit his job unexpectedly. He said he was heading south to pursue a job, not necessarily barbering, according to Styles.

"I felt bad he was leaving," Styles said. "He was doing good."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'A kind heart': Family mourns former Oakham man who was found dead in SC