COASTAL OBSERVER

The redevelopment of two former mill sites on the Georgetown waterfront will go forward under a single firm following this week’s announcement that International Paper will sell its property to a New Jersey firm that also has the site of the city’s former steel mill under contract.

River Development Equities and IP announced Monday they had reached agreement for the sale of the property.

The announcement had been expected for months, but it was still met with excitement by local officials who worked with the parties since the paper mill closed at the end of 2024.

“It’s exciting times for the area,” said state Rep. Lee Hewitt, who has worked with Warren Waters, the founder of River Development, for over a year.

Waters is also the managing member of Liberty River LLC which applied to the state last year for a “voluntary cleanup contract” for the steel mill.

With the site of the former Liberty Steel mill under contract, Waters was concerned about the future of the IP site, where a competing bidder wanted to continue to operate the mill’s biomass power plant for a data center.

“He was adamant that he didn’t want smokestacks because that had the potential to affect the rest of the development,” Hewitt said.

The IP mill itself occupies more than 1,600 acres on the Sampit River. The steel mill covers 66 acres on the waterfront adjacent to the Georgetown historic district. In between, Georgetown County owns 45 acres that once served as the state port.

“We’re excited to see what his plan is,” County Council Chairman Clint Elliott said.

“Our vision is to transform this site in a way that creates lasting opportunity, growth, and community pride for generations to come. We will honor the past by respecting the industrial heritage, listening to locals, and committing to the clean and sustainable use of the land and water resources,” said Luke Byars, a Republican political consultant and a spokesman for River Development.

The redevelopment plan also includes areas east of Highway 17, including but not limited to the Liberty Steel property, according to a statement from IP and River Development. The area will be developed into “an architecturally significant, vibrant mix of hospitality, residential, industrial and commercial uses that complement, and not compete with, the historic district,” it said.

The mix of uses is expected to create both permanent and part-time employment and foster new businesses designed to benefit Georgetown-area residents, strengthen the local economy, and welcome future generations to this historic riverfront. Design and development will protect the historic district’s character, according to the statement.

“We are pleased RDE is investing in this community and look forward to the new opportunities this site can create for Georgetown’s future,” said Tim Haynes, IP’s site manager.

The paper mill opened in 1937 on the Georgetown waterfront. It’s closure at the end of 2024 eliminated 674 jobs at the mill and impacted over 1,000 people who worked in the forest products industry, officials said at the time. The closure was part of IP’s review of its global cellulose fibers business.

State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, an attorney, worked with a competing bidder for the IP site. He said previously that the cost of environmental cleanup limited the uses for the property.

He recently met with Waters. “My understanding is that there’s going to be a big piece of industrial there,” Goldfinch said. 

The voluntary cleanup contract, or VCC, with the state is key because it allows River Development to do the cleanup without assuming any liability.

“It provides a lot of liability coverage,” Goldfinch said. “That’s a pretty big deal.”

He said he told Waters about his concern for the region’s forestry industry with the paper mill. “He confirmed to me that they were going to do everything they could to use forest products on the site,” Goldfinch said.

In its announcement, River Development said it would focus on opportunities for workers in that sector as well as hiring local contractors and creating other “living wage” jobs through the redevelopment.

Hewitt said River Development is already talking to companies that want to move to the county. He expects to see that happen first on the IP site.

“He’s going to get in there and clean it up as opposed to just pouring concrete over it,” Hewitt said. “He’s not trying to come in and make a quick buck and leave.”

Elliott said he expects there will be opposition.

“Whatever he’s bringing, he better bring his A game,” he said.

Goldfinch said he also had questions for River Development.

“I want to see jobs put back on that site regardless of what it is and who purchases the site,” he said. “I’ll do everything in my power to help whoever that is be successful.”

After meeting with Waters, “I have high hopes,” he added.

The company is also working with local governments in Conway, Summerville and Hardeeville. It said Georgetown will be its state headquarters.

Hewitt is confident that the due diligence by IP means River Development can carry out its plans.

“It’s bringing some energy back to the town,” he said. “I’m excited.”