Residents urge council not to attend Silfab Solar event while litigation pending; safety concerns raised
January 11, 2025 | York County, South Carolina
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Several residents used the meeting's public forum on Jan. 6, 2025, to press York County Council members on Silfab Solar's proposed manufacturing operation near Fort Mill and on recent invitations for elected officials to attend a company tour.
Donna Forrester, a Fort Mill resident, said the plant's planned use of silane poses a serious hazard and called the county's apparent relationship with the company premature while a court case remains open. "Silane plans to become one of the first manufacturing companies to manufacture CSPV solar cells in the U.S. ... Fort Mill will be a guinea pig," Forrester said during public comment.
Other speakers, including Caitlin Boyle, explicitly urged council members not to attend a Jan. 9 breakfast and site tour tied to Silfab while litigation is unresolved. Boyle said attending would "unintentionally send the wrong message" and could make residents feel corporate interests are being prioritized over local concerns.
Chair Christie Cox reminded the audience that the matter is in active litigation and said procedural and legal issues must be resolved by the courts rather than by council action. "That matter is in the midst of litigation. That is an issue that a judge has to decide and not council," Cox said during the public forum announcement and procedural guidance.
Why it matters: Council members do not exercise jurisdiction to decide active litigation; nevertheless, public perceptions of impartiality and council engagement with developers during pending legal actions have become a focus for residents. Speakers said they want elected officials to visibly prioritize resident concerns while litigation is pending.
Ending: Council did not take formal action on Silfab at the meeting; the chair reiterated legal constraints and encouraged residents to use the established hearing and litigation processes. Public comments on the company and its planned activities will remain part of the public record.
Donna Forrester, a Fort Mill resident, said the plant's planned use of silane poses a serious hazard and called the county's apparent relationship with the company premature while a court case remains open. "Silane plans to become one of the first manufacturing companies to manufacture CSPV solar cells in the U.S. ... Fort Mill will be a guinea pig," Forrester said during public comment.
Other speakers, including Caitlin Boyle, explicitly urged council members not to attend a Jan. 9 breakfast and site tour tied to Silfab while litigation is unresolved. Boyle said attending would "unintentionally send the wrong message" and could make residents feel corporate interests are being prioritized over local concerns.
Chair Christie Cox reminded the audience that the matter is in active litigation and said procedural and legal issues must be resolved by the courts rather than by council action. "That matter is in the midst of litigation. That is an issue that a judge has to decide and not council," Cox said during the public forum announcement and procedural guidance.
Why it matters: Council members do not exercise jurisdiction to decide active litigation; nevertheless, public perceptions of impartiality and council engagement with developers during pending legal actions have become a focus for residents. Speakers said they want elected officials to visibly prioritize resident concerns while litigation is pending.
Ending: Council did not take formal action on Silfab at the meeting; the chair reiterated legal constraints and encouraged residents to use the established hearing and litigation processes. Public comments on the company and its planned activities will remain part of the public record.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
