Spartanburg County Council Announces Updates on Pet Resource Center, Stormwater Repairs, and Penny Tax Projects

Spartanburg County Council Updates

First Look at Spartanburg Pet Resource Center

In Spartanburg County, plans for the new Pet Resource Center were unveiled during a recent County Council meeting. For over a decade, Spartanburg County has relied on Greenville County to shelter their animals, but due to overcrowding and other issues, they have decided to build their own facility. The new center, located off Southport Road near the wastewater treatment plant, is estimated to cost $24 million. Part of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, with the remainder covered by interest earnings.

The Pet Resource Center will feature a veterinary clinic, kennels, training classes, and space for temporarily housing farm animals that may be taken by animal control. The facility will primarily focus on keeping animals with their owners and will only accept sick and aggressive animals for housing.

County Councilwoman Jessica Coker, who has been involved in the project, stated, “We want to be in a place of preventative animal control, so we’re going to do all we can to make sure we have a spay/neuter clinic, we’re going to have a food bank where people can donate food or accept donations. If you’re struggling, we want to make sure you have help.”

If all goes as planned, construction is set to begin this Spring, with the facility expected to open next year.

$1 Million Grant for Stormwater Repairs

County leaders also voted to apply for a $1 million grant to repair four deteriorating stormwater pipes in Spartanburg County. The pipes, located on Ferndale Drive, Shoreham Drive, Valley High Drive, and Woodwind Drive, are in need of repair due to age and corrosion. If the grant is approved, the repairs are estimated to take 24 months to complete.

Head Start on New Penny Tax Projects

Following voter approval of a second penny tax dedicated to road improvements, Spartanburg County Council is already taking steps to begin several high-priority projects. Although the new tax revenue won’t be available until the Fall, the council has decided to use remaining funds from the current penny tax to kickstart resurfacing projects on Reidville Road and N. Daniel Morgan Avenue.

Typically, road projects require extensive planning and preparation, including design, engineering, legal work for right-of-way acquisition, and utility coordination. By starting early, the council aims to expedite the construction process for these critical infrastructure improvements.

The projects slated for early development include:

• Asphalt Pavement Resurfacing of Highway SC-290
• Asphalt Pavement Resurfacing of N. Daniel Morgan Avenue
• Pre-construction activities for Stormwater Improvement, Bridge Replacement, and Intersection Improvement Programs

County leaders emphasized the importance of initiating these projects promptly to address long-standing infrastructure needs and enhance the transportation network in Spartanburg County.

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