Across South Carolina, citizens are discovering something important: the concerns we’re raising in Saluda County about secrecy, code names, and unclear communication around large “industrial projects” are not unique to us. Other counties have walked this same road—and their experiences show that our questions are reasonable, our expectations are fair, and our desire for transparency is shared by communities nationwide as well as here in South Carolina.
In Georgetown County, residents pushed back when major solar projects moved forward with limited public explanation. People felt decisions were happening faster than information was being shared. Even council members acknowledged that the public’s unease was real and growing. Their citizens simply wanted clarity about what was being built, how it would affect their land, and why the process felt rushed.
In Sumter County, a proposed 1,700‑acre solar farm sparked petitions, community meetings, and organized citizen groups. Their concerns weren’t just about the project itself—they were about how it was handled. Many felt that key details were discussed behind closed doors, that “code names” masked the true nature of the project, and that the public was being brought in too late. Some residents even turned to FOIA requests to get answers they believed should have been offered upfront.
And it isn’t just these two counties. Across the state, citizens have noticed a pattern: large energy or industrial projects—sometimes solar farms, sometimes related facilities—are introduced under vague labels like “Project X” or “Project Phoenix.” These code names are legal, but they often leave communities feeling blindsided once the real project is revealed. That frustration has fueled local groups, public comments, and calls for more open communication.
Here’s the truth: we are not alone. Other counties have asked the same questions we’re asking now. Other citizens have pushed for clearer information, earlier disclosure, and a more open process. And in many places, their persistence led to better conversations, stronger policies, and more respectful engagement between councils and the people they serve.
Saluda County deserves the same.
Our goal is not conflict—it’s clarity. It’s fairness. It’s making sure that families, landowners, and taxpayers are informed early enough to participate meaningfully in decisions that shape our future. When we speak up, we join a statewide movement of citizens who believe that transparency is not optional. It is the foundation of trust.
And as we continue this work together, let this be our encouragement: we are not alone, and we are not unreasonable. We are simply asking for the openness every community deserves.
