On Friday, Dillon County Council and County Administrator Clay Young parted ways. It should be a sad day for Dillon County. Clay Young has probably brought more progress to Dillon County under his leadership than any other county official in recent years.
As with anyone who is in charge of anything, there are those people who like you and agree with your decisions and those who don’t; however, the positive impact that Clay Young has had on this county is undeniable.
We lose a seasoned administrator in Clay Young—someone who knew how to continue to move this county in a positive, forward direction. He is someone who is well-respected throughout the state and with industries and had the connections needed to help Dillon County grow.
Consider these accomplishments made under Clay Young’s leadership:
—He worked to establish countywide zoning for Dillon County.
—He worked to establish a hospitality tax for Dillon County.
—He established the first comprehensive accounting system for Dillon County.
—The capital projects sales tax was initiated and passed under his leadership. Through the capital sales tax projects, a frontage road was constructed where Wyman-Gordon and the Harbor Freight Tools Retail store is now located. A new Dillon County Judicial Center was built. Four new fire departments were built. A new animal shelter was constructed. There were many other accomplishments under this sales tax.
—A $4 million 84-bed expansion at the Dillon County Detention Center was completed.
—He worked on the expansion of the Latta and Lake View libraries.
—Under his leadership, Dillon County received over 20 million in State and Federal grants to imrpove the water. And built the first spec building which led to landing Wyman-Gordon
—Also, industrial site certifications were completed for the Northeastern Industrial Commerce Park, Dan Rogers Site, Jeff Price Site, and the Carolinas I-95 Super Park.
—Work has begun to improve the Dillon County Airport.
Young was also instrumental in the expansion of Harbor Freight Tools, getting Wyman-Gordon to locate in Dillon County, and in getting the inland port. There is more on the horizon that can be credited to Young’s efforts.
While working in other counties, Young completed the first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Lancaster County and Charleston County. Young completed major wastewater system expansion for the County of Kershaw; worked on over 25 fee-in-lieu of tax agreements and incentive agreements totaling over 700 million in investment and some 3,000 new jobs in the State of South Carolina; worked on five South Carolina county reassessment requirements; worked on a county youth program for the County of Lancaster, and completed one of the largest downtown redevelopment projects in the City of Chester.
Clay Young was a tremendous asset to Dillon County as he was in the other counties and cities in which he worked.
The citizens of Dillon County will be enjoying the fruits of his labor and vision for many, many years to come.
If he provides the same effort that he gave Dillon County, then Clay Young will continue to be a success and an asset to any place he chooses to work. He has left big shoes to fill in Dillon County. His departure is Dillon County’s loss.
