Richmond Hill, Bryan County officials may be bound by non-disclosure agreement with Westwin Elements

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Some City of Richmond Hill and Bryan County officials may be limited in what they can publicly say about a controversial nickel refinery project after signing non-disclosure agreements with Westwin Elements.

WTOC Investigates obtained documents through an Open Records Request filed with the City of Richmond Hill, asking for copies of any non-disclosure agreements with Westwin Elements signed by the city, the mayor, or Richmond Hill City Council members.

The city provided a copy of a blank NDA titled “Westwin Elements blank NDA.” The copy received is not signed, which means it’s unclear who on Richmond Hill city staff or city council is bound by it.

We requested the same documents from the Development Authority of Bryan County, but have not received anything back yet.

READ: Richmond Hill residents question proposed nickel refinery at packed town hall

NDA requirements and restrictions

The NDA requires anyone who signs it to discuss confidential information about Westwin only with other people that signed the NDA. It also bars not just revealing the confidential information, but also the fact that confidential information was shared, or that negotiations are happening, unless Westwin gives written consent.

If Westwin asks, confidential materials must be returned to the company or destroyed. According to the template NDA, legal disputes would be handled in the State of Oklahoma.

WTOC has not yet received a signed copy of the NDA, so it remains unclear which city or county officials are bound by it. The story will be updated when signed copies are obtained.

READ: Westwin Elements threatens legal action against Bryan County chairman over public comments

Meanwhile, a special meeting has been called by the Bryan County Board of Commissioners at 3:30 on Tuesday.