Next week, Aiken County officials are scheduled to give the second reading of an ordinance that could result in tax incentives for an undisclosed company considering locating there.

Last week, the Aiken County Council approved the first of three readings of an ordinance to offer fee-in-lieu-of-taxes, special tax rates and other incentives to a company referred by the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Neither the name of the company nor the level of incentives was listed in the first reading of the ordinance.

South Carolina state law exempts the disclosure of economic development projects during preliminary negotiations. County Administrator Clay Killian said even he and members of the council do not know the company's identity.

If the company chooses Aiken County, its identity and the scope of its project would be disclosed.

The first reading is an indication Aiken County is interested and ready to negotiate.

"It's a statement on the part of the county that we are willing to talk to you about those incentives," Mr. Killian said. "It starts the process."

The first reading was given unanimous approval last Tuesday based on information provided by state economic development officials during a closed-door meeting.

"We've been assured it will be an industry we would be proud to have," Mr. Killian said. "A toxic waste dump or something noxious, that's not what we go after."