Covert Documents, Split Council: How NorthMark’s 457-MW Data Center Was Recruited in Secret

SPARTANBURG — A confidential Department of Commerce fact sheet detailing NorthMark’s planned 457-megawatt natural-gas generators was shared with a small circle of county staff, OneSpartanburg and one longtime council member — but not with most Spartanburg County Council members before they voted on tax incentives for the project, officials say.

What County Officials Say

County leaders told a September public safety committee meeting that the recruitment of the self-powered data center largely followed a long-standing, confidential process used to attract major employers. That process included fact sheets created by the Department of Commerce to assess a site’s suitability and utility capacity.

David Britt, the former County Council member who chaired the economic development committee for more than 30 years, was the only elected official who had access to the fact sheet, county officials said. Britt declined to comment, citing his ongoing role on the Public Service Committee and the possibility that NorthMark-related matters could return to that body.

“I learned mostly about this project on third reading, and that was the way that all the economic development projects were run under that immensely successful process,”

— Council member Monier Abusaft.

Who Saw the Document — And Who Didn’t

County Administrator Cole Alverson said the fact sheet — which included the planned size of NorthMark’s natural-gas generation — was shared with select county staff, representatives of OneSpartanburg and Britt. Several council members, including Grant DeShields and Jack Mabry, said they did not see the fact sheet prior to voting on tax breaks.

The Post and Courier requested the document but the Department of Commerce refused to release it. County officials defended the confidentiality, saying premature disclosure can derail recruitment by triggering layoffs or shareholder disclosures elsewhere before deals are finalized.

Why The Process Looked Like This

Officials described the fact sheets as routine, tactical documents used to determine whether a parcel and its utilities could meet an industry’s needs. OneSpartanburg CEO Allen Smith said it is common for committee chairs to receive more detailed information about matters their committees handle.

Abusaft said he had pushed previously for a more open process but found the county’s confidential approach produced successful recruitment results that gained widespread support.

Policy Changes

In recent months, Spartanburg County has revised its procedures to increase transparency. Spokesperson Scottie Kay Blackwell said the county now generally asks companies seeking fee-in-lieu-of-tax (FILOT) agreements to disclose their name on first reading unless there is a compelling reason for strict confidentiality. Projects must now have company representation at each reading of a FILOT, and council members receive more frequent, detailed briefings — often with company representatives present.

Blackwell said these changes aim to give the full council more information earlier while still protecting genuinely sensitive details when necessary.

Context

NorthMark evaluated more than 100 potential sites before selecting Spartanburg, spokeswoman Sarah Knox said. The dispute over who had access to the project’s technical details has drawn scrutiny because it raises questions about transparency in local economic development decisions and how much information elected officials should receive before approving incentives.