Fort Mill Residents Express Mixed Feelings Over New Manufacturing Plant and Road Expansion Plans

Fort Mill Reacts to New Manufacturing Plant and Road Improvements

FORT MILL — There’s a lot happening in Fort Mill these days, and residents have plenty to talk about. Recent discussions have centered around the much-anticipated road improvements on the U.S. 21 Bypass and the arrival of a new solar panel manufacturing plant, Silfab Solar. With the summer of 2024 marking the beginning of construction, the community is gearing up for change.

Road Work Finally Underway

If you’ve been driving through the area, you might have noticed construction signs and an uptick in traffic cones. Residents may remember that this project has been a long time coming. In fact, it didn’t just pop up overnight. Back in 2011, York County voters gave a thumbs up for this project as part of the Pennies for Progress program. Fast forward to now, and the project is finally underway, expanding the U.S. 21 Bypass from two lanes to five from S.C. Highway 51 all the way to Springfield Parkway.

Lately, there have been concerns over how the road improvements will coincide with Silfab’s operations. During a public forum on August 27, state transportation officials clarified that they would like to see the ongoing road improvements completed before Silfab opens its doors. “We have a commitment from York County that the certificate of occupancy won’t be issued until these key areas are improved,” said Jason Johnson, a district engineer with the S.C. Department of Transportation.

The Community Weighs In

But not everyone is on board. Residents, represented by a group called Move Silfab, are expressing concerns – they’ve even made some noise at public gatherings, waving signs in protest along the U.S. 21 Bypass. Their primary worries focus on public safety and increased traffic, especially given that officials project the plant could generate around 2,000 trips a day onto what is already a busy highway.

Residents have noted that the current two-lane bypass is simply not equipped to handle the influx of vehicles, especially at intersections like Logistics Lane and Central Carolina Parkway. Johnson mentioned that certain intersections had been identified in a traffic study conducted as part of the road improvement project. “If these improvements aren’t done at these intersections, then Silfab would have to submit another traffic impact analysis,” he explained during the forum.

A Response from York County

A few days later, York County officials seemed to contradict Johnson’s statements, releasing an update to clarify their position. The county stated that there are no requirements currently in place that link the approval for Silfab’s operations to the roadwork. “There is no condition of approval… nor within any of the SCDOT correspondence,” the county’s statement read. This has left some residents confused about what exactly to expect moving forward.

Looking Ahead

This road improvement project is part of a broader effort to enhance infrastructure in the area, funded by the sales tax initiative established in 2011. The county faced some unexpected delays due to rising construction costs, which pushed the timeline back a bit. But the light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter, and with an eye toward the future, York County leaders are planning further phases of road improvements.

Residents also have upcoming opportunities to voice their opinions. A meeting hosted by Move Silfab is scheduled for September 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Antioch International Church, where concerned citizens can gather to discuss their views on the situation and strategize future actions.

A Balancing Act

As Fort Mill continues to grow and evolve, the community finds itself at a crossroads, needing to balance development with quality of life. The decision to allow Silfab Solar to operate is a significant choice, with residents urging for more rigorous considerations regarding traffic and public safety. As we look forward to the completion of the road improvements by 2028 and the possible opening of Silfab, the hope is for a smooth transition that meets the needs of all involved.

Stay tuned, Fort Mill! There’s plenty to come in the conversations surrounding our roads and local businesses.