NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council took the first steps on Wednesday that will facilitate growth in the county.

The council gave a first reading to change the zoning of 25 acres on Louis Rich Road from rural to basic industrial.

The zoning change will allow Louis Rich’s Kraft Foods plant to continue with future expansion.

When questioned if any one had opposed the zoning change for the Louis Rich property the council was told no.

The second request is for a zoning change for a subdivision in Prosperity.

The nod was given to change 10 acres on Highway 76 near Cy Schumpert Road and Mid-Carolina.

The change from rural to single family residential will allow for the construction of a housing subdivision.

The subdivision will not be allowed to have mobile homes with the zoning change.

Council will have to pass two more readings and have a public hearing on each of the zoning changes before they are finalized.

Both properties will be posted with signs announcing the zoning change 15 days before the public hearings.