Jehovah's Witnesses say center would have big impact
A planned 3,000-seat educational center will have a substantial economic impact on Orangeburg County over the next five years, Jehovah's Witnesses officials say.
The center could generate $264 million in revenues over a five-year period, with the added benefit of more than $18.4 million in new sales tax revenues for the local area, church spokesman Bill Sims said.
"This will increase consumer spending in the county without impacting essential community services such as schools, and other community services that residents typically require," Sims said. "The facility is already reserved for more than 40 weeks of the year."
The Assembly Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses will be constructed on land near the intersection of S.C. Highway 33 and Interstate 26. The 58-acre parcel is near Gussy Drive and Assembly Hall Way, which serves as a frontage road to I-26.
Initial plans call for a $14 million, 65,000-square-foot facility with parking that will meet and exceed zoning requirements, Sims said.
Sims said the facility is expected to result in new local construction jobs and long-term sustainable jobs being added to the Orangeburg area in the form of additional restaurant and hospitality sector jobs.
Officials project there will be about 40 two-day events held at the center annually with an estimated total attendance of 160,000 visitors a year.
With each person spending an estimated $66 per day, there will be a total annual revenue of $52.8 million, Sims said. With a sales tax of 7 percent, the total annual sales tax collections will be about $3.7 million with a five-year total sales tax projection of $18.5 million.
Sims said although the church owns about 58 acres, engineers are studying how much land is needed for the center now and in the future.
If permitting and other considerations align, Sims said ground could be broken in the third quarter of 2011 under a construction management arrangement with licensed contractors. Construction estimates range from 12 to 15 months.
"The purpose of the educational center is to educate the Jehovah's Witnesses and their neighbors in the practical application of Bible principles in daily life," he said. "The public is invited to attend weekly meetings."
Sims said the Orangeburg site was chosen from a large pool of possible locations.
"Our search team examined more than 200 sites in the state," Sims said. "We would like to extend our thanks to all those in Orangeburg County who helped make this site our choice.
"This facility and its strategic location near the I-26/I-95 region make it a convenient option."
Representatives from the congregation appeared before the Orangeburg County Transportation Committee earlier this month with a request to widen the turning radius of S.C. 33 in an effort to accommodate the increased traffic. The work is estimated to cost about $400,000.
Due to the lack of quorum, the committee received the proposal as information and will most likely take the matter up again.
In the interim, Sims said the Assembly Hall will help the economy for years to come.
"Witnesses are experiencing growth not only globally but also in the Southeastern region," he said. "Approximately 2,100 of the more than 100,000 anticipated annual visitors are Orangeburg County residents. More than 25,000 Witnesses in South Carolina, southeastern North Carolina and the Savannah and Augusta areas of Georgia will also use the facility."
Contact the writer: [email protected] or 803-533-5551.
Jehovah'$ Witne$$e$ say center would have big impact
by betterdaze 43 Replies latest social current
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betterdaze
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thetrueone
Those figures are over exaggerated to be sure.
One obvious thing it doesn't mention is the loss in property taxes this religious exempt building will occur over the years.
Why didn't the Watchtower Society state how many lives they will ruin, how many deaths will occur, how many families they will destroy.
Shouldn't the general public know the whole picture of what they are supporting, instead of the proverbial
dollar bill at the end of a stick.
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carla
If the end is so near why do they need to build a new center?
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DesirousOfChange
The address already is called Assembly Hall Way (@ Gussy Drive), does that mean there is already a facility there and this is a plan to build a new one at the cost of $14 Million?? If that is the case, do they really need a new facility rather than making do until the system ends??
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jay88
Why is it called a Educational Center, is it accredited? Will they learn a skilled-trade?
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Heaven
A planned 3,000-seat educational center will have a substantial economic impact on Orangeburg County over the next five years, Jehovah's Witnesses officials say.
Soooo... does this mean the end won't be here for at least another 5 years?
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LostGeneration
Yeah they like to use numbers that are more in line with what a business convention attendee spends. I heard a saying quite some time ago about all religious conventioneers (not just JWs) regarding their frugality:
"They bring the Ten Commandments and a Ten dollar bill, and they don't break either"
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ThomasCovenant
''The center could generate $264 million in revenues over a five-year period,''
That's a million dollars a week. How?
''Could''
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Finally-Free
With each person spending an estimated $66 per day, there will be a total annual revenue of $52.8 million
How do they figure each person would spend $66 per day when the society tells people to bring their own lunches to the assemblies? A family of four spending $528 in two days? Not bloody likely.
W