Development Authority of Bryan County votes unanimously to cease talks with Westwin Elements, company undeterred

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WTOC) - The Development Authority of Bryan County voted unanimously Tuesday morning to end talks with Westwin Elements about providing taxpayer-funded bonds for the company’s proposed nickel refinery project.

The motion was brought before an almost overflowing group of Richmond Hill residents despite the 8 a.m. start time.

Dr. Gene Wallace, who sits on the Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC) board and the Bryan County Board of Commissioners, introduced the motion. Wallace said he had major concerns about the safety and environmental impact of the project and the integrity of Westwin.

“No amount of money that this project will generate is worth it,” Wallace said. “I hear things like, ‘This project is safe.’ It is safe, until it isn’t. Then it’s too damn late.”

Residents praise decision

After the motion to end talks with Westwin passed, over a dozen Richmond Hill residents addressed the board. Many praised the decision.

“You all have already addressed this this morning, and thank you for doing it, but we want you to stand firm on this Westwin project,” said Kevin Long, a Richmond Hill resident. “Don’t give them an inch.”

Westwin Elements said the company is still pursuing the Richmond Hill project despite the board’s decision not to issue bonds.

“Westwin remains focused on progressing our project in Richmond Hill, Georgia via its proposed private transaction to acquire property in the Belfast Commerce Park. Westwin is committed to raising the average wage for Bryan County residents.” 

KaLeigh Long, CEO

No one spoke in favor of Westwin during the public comment portion.

Transparency concerns raised

Some residents urged the board to be more transparent about its business, pointing out that the majority of the community found out about the project not through county officials, but Westwin itself.

“The amount of information I got today from this meeting is phenomenal,” said Corey Foreman, a Bryan County resident and Georgia State Senate candidate. “This is not what we typically do. We talk about the high schools, we talk about whatever’s going on with Hyundai, we watch little videos. That’s great. Then we go to executive session where all the stuff we’re finding out now is done behind a closed door.”

After the meeting, Wallace told WTOC transparency challenges exist because of non-disclosure agreements.

“NDAs, sadly, are because of the businesses and trade secrets and things like that and there’s just certain things when we’re in the early stages of this that can’t be said,” Wallace said. “That would be for somebody who’s pay grade’s a lot higher than mine to figure out, but I think having folks at the meetings, I think that’s great.”