A recent survey commissioned by Citizens for Georgetown, a local advocacy group, indicates that roughly 70% of respondents oppose the construction of a biomass plant on the former International Paper property. Only about 20% expressed support for the plant, while the rest were unsure or skipped the question. This opposition is in contrast to the views of State Senator Stephen Goldfinch, who anticipates the biomass plant deal to be finalized within the next six months, citing the property's history of heavy industry and potential contamination.
The survey highlights a strong preference among Georgetown County residents for mixed-use development and clean industry along the waterfront, rather than another heavy industry plant. This preference reflects a desire to revitalize the area while minimizing environmental impact.
Citizens for Georgetown, led by former council member Tom Swatzel, is actively campaigning against the biomass plant. They argue against replacing one polluting industry with another and advocate for the redevelopment of the waterfront with public access and diverse commercial spaces.
The contrasting viewpoints of the community and State Senator Goldfinch highlight a significant disagreement on the future of the property. While residents express a clear preference for sustainable redevelopment, the senator suggests that the site's history and potential environmental challenges make a biomass plant a more practical solution.
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.
The newly formed organization, Citizens for Georgetown, with Swatzel as its chairman, is advocating for the former.
"In no way do we want to trade one smokestack for another," Swatzel said.
Citizens for Georgetown is a coalition of residents, business owners and community leaders, according to its website. Swatzel said he started the group when community members began asking for his help in advocating against heavy industry on the waterfront, including a biomass power plant proposed for the IP property.
Swatzel was previously involved in redeveloping the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
This week, Citizens for Georgetown commissioned a community survey to gauge resident opinions on the redevelopment of the Liberty Steel and IP properties.
It sent a survey to 1,300 Georgetown voters, and 352 people responded, Swatzel said.
The survey asked residents if they would support a biomass plant and if they would like to see mixed-use development with clean industry on the waterfront instead of heavy industry.
Roughly 70 percent of participants said they would oppose a biomass plant and about 20 percent of people said they would support it. A little over 10 percent said they were unsure, and one person skipped the question, according to survey results.
State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet, has said he expects a biomass plant deal to be finalized in the next three to six months. He's argued the plant makes more sense than mixed-use development because the property has housed heavy industry for nearly 90 years and is likely contaminated.
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