FARMERS MARKET MOVE

Lexington County is making a last-minute pitch to land the State Farmers Market to a group of state officials considering its move.

Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, who chairs the subcommittee overseeing market legislation, called a meeting today with state and county officials to determine the location of the new market.

Richland County leaders said last week a deal was near for a site on Shop Road in Columbia. The market agreement is on the County Council agenda for tonight.

Lexington County is making one more pitch for its site, a 200-acre tract along I-26 near Dixiana.

“I don’t know whether they do (have a deal) or not,” Knotts said. “We want to know exactly what the status of it is.

“We need to look at the best interests of the farmers.”

In 2003, a state committee chose Richland’s 196-acre site at Shop and Pineview roads, near I-77.

Richland County has pledged $4 million to purchase the Shop Road property; $250,000 each year for the next 20 years to promote the market; and $500,000 to cover architectural and engineering costs.

But Lexington County leaders still feel their site has better access and is more convenient for farmers.

The county has pledged the land, $1 million for infrastructure and $1 million in cash, an offer that has not changed.

“We have never removed our offer,” Lexington County Council chairman Bruce Rucker said. “We’re still there.”

Richland leaders said the state had decided theirs was the best offer.

“The state already set up a process two years ago and (the Shop Road site) came in first,” Councilwoman Kit Smith said.

But not all Richland council members are sold on the Shop Road site.

“I’m not enthusiastic about Richland County taxpayers funding a large portion of this,” said Mike Montgomery, who was elected last fall. “It’s the State Farmers Market, and the state, in my view, should fund the State Farmers Market.”

Some Lexington officials have said their site could be better used for industry.

Knotts said he does not expect any decision at today’s meeting but said the committee will need to consider several pieces of legislation related to the market — including a bill establishing who has authority to choose a site.

Staff writer Gina Smith contributed to this story. Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8435 or johnoconnor@thestate.com.