GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents in Georgetown are raising concerns about what could be developed at the former International Paper Mill site after hearing that a biomass plant may be in the works. Now, community members are planning to take those concerns directly to county council. Both the International Paper Mill and nearby steel mill once served as major economic engines for the area. Currently, both properties sit vacant—and locals say it’s time to put that open spa

The citizens of Georgetown are concerned about the future of the International Paper Co. mill site—really concerned. So much so that there are now three different groups with similar names that have formed around the issue. Citizens for Georgetown was started earlier this year to oppose plans to expand the paper mill’s power plant and generate electricity by burning biomass. The group was founded by Tom Swatzel, a political consultant and former County Council member, who is

To the Editor: With the closure of the International Paper mill, Georgetown has a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine its future, not just economically, but socially, morally and environmentally. While the potential to convert part of the mill into a biomass power plant and data center may The rest were fewer in number than organizers hoped to draw to the 240-seat Soul Saving Station in Georgetown. It stands in the shadow of the International Paper Co. mill that c

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - After a decades-old paper mill in Georgetown County, owned by International Paper, shut its doors in the fall, residents are waiting anxiously to see what will replace it. Though they can’t control what company International Paper ultimately sells their property to, residents do have thoughts about the impacts the choice could have.

Of the two dozen people who showed up for a meeting to talk about a proposed biomass energy plant in Georgetown, five were from conservation groups. Another five were reporters.  The rest were fewer in number than organizers hoped to draw to the 240-seat Soul Saving Station in Georgetown. It stands in the shadow of the International Paper Co. mill that closed last year. 

A second community meeting was held Friday night to discuss the possibility of a biomass power plant taking over the site of the former International Paper Co. While no definite official plans have been announced for the property, South Carolina Senator Stephen Goldfinch has said a biomass power plant has eyes on the site. That has drawn concern from residents who live in the vicinity of the property because of health hazards that they say could come with such an operation.

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) - Community members discuss what the future of the former International Paper Mill site could mean for the neighbors in the area. The future of the former International Paper Mill that formerly sat along Kaminski Street in Georgetown County is a question community members are discussing.

Residents who lived for years wrapped in fumes from the International Paper Co. mill in Georgetown say they are wary of plans for generating power from biomass on the site where the production of paper ended last year. And it doesn’t help that those plans are being discussed outside the public view. “We’re very much concerned,” said Everett Carolina, a former County Council member whose district included the IP property. “We want our elected officials to be transparent as we

Imagine in the not-too-distant future taking a leisurely stroll from Georgetown’s Front Street, along the harbor where the Liberty Steel currently stands, around the port and underneath the Sampit River Bridge, finishing somewhere near the former International Paper site on the new Georgetown Harbor/River Walk. Along that walk, you stop for some breakfast, lunch or dinner, stop by an amphitheater to listen to live music, see an art exhibit or just rest under a beautiful gran

Georgetown is South Carolina's third-oldest city, and while it has a historic district with many handsome streets and interesting older buildings, many don't think of it as having the same amount of charm as Charleston or Beaufort, its older coastal siblings. But it could, and it should. And it currently has a significant opportunity to remake itself, as International Paper, Liberty Steel and its former port property all appear ripe for redevelopment.

Georgetown is South Carolina's third-oldest city, and while it has a historic district with many handsome streets and interesting older buildings, many don't think of it as having the same amount of charm as Charleston or Beaufort, its older coastal siblings. But it could, and it should. And it currently has a significant opportunity to remake itself, as International Paper, Liberty Steel and its former port property all appear ripe for redevelopment.

GEORGETOWN — Tom Swatzel, a former Georgetown County Council member, says the city is at a crossroads. It can redevelop the Liberty Steel and International Paper properties with mixed-use development and public access to the Georgetown waterfront — or once again fill the skies with smoke from heavy industry.

GEORGETOWN — Tom Swatzel, a former Georgetown County Council member, says the city is at a crossroads. It can redevelop the Liberty Steel and International Paper properties with mixed-use development and public access to the Georgetown waterfront — or once again fill the skies with smoke from heavy industry.

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD)–Residents in the city of Georgetown are weighing in on what they’d like to see at the site of the former paper mill. On Tuesday, members of Citizens for Georgetown surveyed residents weighing on whether they think a biomass plant would benefit the community. 

GEORGETOWN — Tom Swatzel, a former Georgetown County Council member, says the city is at a crossroads.  It can redevelop the Liberty Steel and International Paper properties with mixed-use development and public access to the Georgetown waterfront — or once again fill the skies with smoke from heavy industry.

I have lived in this community for decades. This is my home, and I think of this place like a “heaven on earth.” The beauty of the people here is only matched by the beauty of the unity of water and marsh. We have so much to be thankful for, but we can’t let our future be determined by special interests who want to destroy our community and our economy.

I have lived in this community for decades. This is my home, and I think of this place like a “heaven on earth.” The beauty of the people here is only matched by the beauty of the unity of water and marsh. We have so much to be thankful for, but we can’t let our future be determined by special interests who want to destroy our community and our economy.

As the state representative whose district encompasses Georgetown, I have always believed that our communities deserve a future defined not just by what has come before, but by what we can create together. The recent discussions about the future of the closed International Paper mill and the nearby Liberty Steel site open the door to a bold new vision for Georgetown’s waterfront — one that balances economic growth, environmental responsibility and community well-being.

As the state representative whose district encompasses Georgetown, I have always believed that our communities deserve a future defined not just by what has come before, but by what we can create together. The recent discussions about the future of the closed International Paper mill and the nearby Liberty Steel site open the door to a bold new vision for Georgetown’s waterfront — one that balances economic growth, environmental responsibility and community well-being.