Georgetown Waterfront Meeting Set Tonight Following Steel Mill Deal Collapse

A major effort to redevelop Georgetown’s industrial waterfront faces public review tonight following the collapse of a key real estate deal. River Development Equities principal Warren Waters will speak directly to community members at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at the Winyah Auditorium in Georgetown.

The public meeting comes after the cancellation of a contract to acquire the 66-acre Liberty Steel mill site, which was intended to serve as a commercial and entertainment anchor along an extended Harbor Walk. Steel mill owner Liberty Steel terminated the sale agreement after River Development requested an extension to obtain city zoning and environmental permits. Liberty faced tight financial timelines, including an Oct. 30 deadline to pay $1.1 million to state-owned utility Santee Cooper from property sale proceeds. Reports indicate Liberty demanded a nonrefundable $5 million fee to extend the contract, which the developer refused.

Despite the setback on the steel mill property, River Development's agreement to purchase the former International Paper mill site—covering more than 2,500 acres—remains active. The original vision aimed to turn the IP land into a hub for manufacturing, technology, and assembly jobs to replace employment lost when the mill closed in late 2024. However, several critical details about the paper mill deal remain unconfirmed, including whether the sale has officially closed, the undisclosed purchase price, and how long-term water access commitments from the International Paper Canal will be legally maintained.

The outcome of the waterfront redevelopment carries significant implications for residents across the Grand Strand and South Strand, including those in nearby Horry County. The former paper mill and steel mill historically employed workers and contractors from across the region. Local state lawmakers, including Rep. Lee Hewitt of Murrells Inlet, have been closely monitoring the progress of the property sales. Additionally, the project sets an important precedent for how public infrastructure, zoning changes, and environmental cleanups are handled in major regional public-private partnerships.

Residents, local business owners, and interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend tonight's 5:30 p.m. session at the Winyah Auditorium to hear the developer’s plans for moving forward with the International Paper site independently and to ask questions regarding project timelines, site zoning, and cleanup commitments.