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 inaugural "State of the City" address Thursday hosted by the Greater Easley Chamber of commerce at Outback Steakhouse.



He touched on public safety, planning and growth.



"The city of Easley is a very, very strong community," Bagwell said.



Last year, the city granted 150 new home permits and 11 commercial permits, representing an investment in Easley of "a total of $27 million," Bagwell 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 last week.



"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 dispel claims that the project represents corporate welfare.



"That's simply not true," Simons said. "Businesses that locate to Saco Lowell will pay the same taxes and fees as other businesses."



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."



The project will feature over 700,000 square feet of new retail development, he said.



"It's more than just one store going," Simons said. "(It's) 900 new jobs for our community, paying $10-12 an hour."



The project will bring roads and new sewers to the area, Bagwell said.



"I don't think the city of Easley has ever experienced anything like this in terms of economic development," Bagwell said.



The infrastructure work done around the project will benefit the city, Simons said.



"Once that's done, that area is just going to boom (with) further commercial development," he said.



The project will benefit the entire county, not only with new jobs but through the local option sales tax which functions to lower homeowners property taxes, Simons said.



"The more retail that's out there, the more people buy, the lower your taxes are going to be," he said.



Many people have asked if the city needs such a project, Bagwell said.



"Yes, we need it," he said. "Sure, we want industry. We would love to have some manufacturing. But if you look at the trends and see where we are, we don't think it's going to happen yet where we are."



Saco Lowell represents the city "looking to the future," Bagwell said.



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



"It's going to be a big event," he said.



Disagreements between Easley officials and County Councilmembers will work themselves out, Bagwell said.



"We're going to work with them. We're going to work with the school board," he said. "We need them and they need us."



The mayor's future plans include hiring an economic and marketing advisor and beautifying the intersection near Wal-Mart and the post office.



The new location of Easley High School will spur growth on that end of town, Bagwell said.



"When they move a high school, people follow it, buildings follow it," Bagwell said.



Easley's City Council is a good mix, Bagwell said.



"We all have one thing in common," he said. "That's to make Easley a better place to live."



Bagwell said Easley will have open government.



"I like to hear what people have to say about our community," he said. "Most of the time if we hear something, it's something bad. Anytime you're by City Hall, drop by and see us."



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