Staff Writer



EASLEY - The city of Easley is in "the best financial shape ... we've been in in some time," said Mayor Larry Bagwell.



Bagwell gave his first "State of the City" address Thursday afternoon during at Outback Steakhouse, touching on public safety, planning and growth.



Last year, the city granted 150 new home permits and 11 commercial, Bagwell said.



"A total of $27 million," he said.



New businesses to the city include Copper River Grille, Dunkin Donuts and Walgreen's.



Bagwell reserved the majority of his comments for Saco Lowell, addressing recent comments concerning the project made by County Councilman G. Neil Smith as published in The Easley Progress.



Bagwell said the city hopes to hold an official ground breaking ceremony on the Saco Lowell site.



"We feel like that some of the things ... need to be explained ... some of the advantages, not only to the city, but to the entire county," Bagwell said.



Bagwell and City Administrator Fox Simons were quick to attack claims that the project represents corporate welfare.



Businesses that locate to Saco Lowell will pay the same amount of taxes and fees as other businesses, Simons said.



Two bonds will be issued to fund the project, he said.



"(Saco Lowell) will not cost the city one extra penny," Simons said. "Taxes will not go up."



For more coverage of the speech, and city officials' reaction to Smith's comments see the Feb. 27 edition of The Easley Progress.



Reach Jason Evans at jevans@theeasleyprogress.com or 855-0355.