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A New York company that pledged more than 400 jobs as part of a $443 million investment in Rock Hill isn’t planning to move here after all.

One reason cited for the abrupt move was “market conditions,” according to a York County economic developer.

Mayor John Gettys confirmed to The Herald Wednesday afternoon that the deal with silicon carbide manufacturer Pallidus was dead. The city got a call from the company last week about it, he said.

“They’re not coming,” he said. “That’s all I know.”

Early last year, Pallidus negotiated a deal with York County to relocate in exchange for economic incentives. The company would create jobs with a $443 million investment, creating silicon carbide wafers used in semiconductor manufacturing. Pallidus would put its headquarters at a 300,000-square-foot facility on Overlook Drive in the Waterford area of Rock Hill.

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Pallidus did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon. The company launched in 2015 and works in the transportation, green energy and telecommunications markets.

The plan generated a lot of excitement from York County and Rock Hill officials after it was announced last year. This comment, from county Council Chair Chairwoman Christi Cox was typical: “It opens up some tremendous opportunities for the county,” Cox said.

But on Wednesday, those sentiments had changed.

York County Economic Development released a statement from interim director Mitch Miller. “It’s unfortunate that Pallidus has had to make these tough adjustments due to market conditions,” Miller said. “We remain optimistic about the future of our sites and our community.”

York County spokesman Greg Suskin also confirmed the project isn’t happening.

The call last week wasn’t a big surprise, Gettys said, since little had been done with the site since last year’s announcement. The mayor had remained hopeful, though, that Pallidus would still come through with its plans.

Inventory for large commerce sites is somewhat limited in the city, Gettys said, so the loss of Pallidus could be an opportunity for someone else.

“We’re always looking and talking to businesses that want to bring good and high paying jobs in Rock Hill,” he said. “It gives us a little more inventory.”

The city issued a statement on the Pallidus deal falling through, noting transportation and utility infrastructure in the area is primed for business growth. “We’re looking toward future recruitment efforts for the Waterford site and others,” it said.

The Charlotte Business Journal first reported about the Pallidus decision Wednesday.

This is a developing story. Check back for more.

This story was originally published October 30, 2024, 3:52 PM.

Lancaster County won’t get a new transportation tax, while voters laid a clear path for a new Pennies for Progress campaign in York County.

Almost 53% of Lancaster County voters opted not to start a new road tax. That’s with all precincts reporting. Results aren’t officials until they’re certified later this week.

It would have been a one-cent sales tax that could’ve lasted up to 15 years. It was expected to generate $405 million.

Pennies for Progress is a one-cent sales tax to fund road work in York County. It received more than 71% support with all precincts reporting.

It began in 1997 as the first of its kind in the state. Now dozens of counties have similar sales tax programs. Campaigns run seven years in York County. Tuesday’s vote was the fifth Pennies referendum, to continue the tax when the 2017 program expires next spring.

The record $410.7 million campaign Tuesday included $225 million for projects that appeared on prior referendum ballots. They weren’t completed due to soaring projects costs from post-COVID inflation, Pennies manager Patrick Hamilton said prior to Election Day.

Some of the biggest road jobs that hinged on Tuesday’s vote are five-lane widening of U.S. 21 from S.C. 160 to Carowinds Boulevard in Fort Mill, and of Fort Mill Parkway near Interstate 77.

The most expensive new project on the ballot was a $44.9 million widening of U.S. 21 from S.C. 160 to Sutton Road.

Since the first Pennies vote narrowly passed in 1997 with 51% support, no campaign got less than 73% approval coming into Tuesday’s election. York County voters cast more than 61,000 votes combined in the prior four programs, with 70% of those votes opting for the sales tax.

Tuesday’s campaign was, however, the first Pennies vote held in a presidential election or an even year.

Unlike Pennies, the Lancaster County transportation tax on Tuesday’s ballot was a first-time effort.

The county asked voters for the transportation tax largely as a way to create a funding source for improvements on U.S. 21, or Charlotte Highway. A list of road jobs the county expects to complete is heavy with road widening, especially in Indian Land. It puts $165 million to major road widening like U.S. 521.

A second question asked voters whether the county could borrow up to $250 million against the tax to get the road jobs started quicker. The tax would pay back bond money issued by the county in a deal that would front money to road jobs before its collected through the sales tax.

That second question was, of course, dependent on the transportation tax passing.

The more than 105,000 early and absentee votes is 53% of the registered voters in York County. Lancaster County had more than 38,000 pre-election day votes, 54% of its registered voters.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024, 8:19 PM.

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The girls’ lacrosse team at Legion Collegiate Academy in Rock Hill was suspended months before the season started because they couldn’t find a coach, officials said.

High school women’s lacrosse players take part in nationwide showcase

“It’s disheartening,” said Nadege Baron, a parent of one of the team’s players. “We feel disrespected and not heard.”

The college’s athletic director said in a statement, in part, “After careful and extensive evaluation, we were unable to identify a coaching candidate who aligns with the mission of Legion Collegiate Academy.”

Barron said the team hasn’t had a consistent coach over the past two seasons. However, she thought the team would have a new coach this year.

“We actually had a meeting at the start of the year saying we’re going to have somebody,” Baron said. “We just need to go through some red tape, but we’re going to have somebody.”

Baron said she doesn’t believe the school couldn’t find qualified candidates.

“I just feel like they had this in mind to shut down the program and they weren’t being truthful and honest with us,” the parent said.

In a letter to parents, the athletic director for the charter school said the girls could play at their home-zoned school while still attending Legion.

That is not an option for some girls because their zoned schools don’t offer girls’ lacrosse.

“They’re not taking it seriously,” Baron said. “They’re not taking us seriously. There are 26 girls that are committed to be a part of the lacrosse program for girls and they’re just turning a blind eye to the whole program.”

In that statement, school leaders said they couldn’t share any information about specific coach candidates.

Leaders have also said the program has been suspended for the school year and not canceled.

VIDEO: Former football player, local trainer translates his skills onto lacrosse field

Former football player, local trainer translates his skills onto lacrosse field

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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will get voters to the polls, but $2 billion worth of decisions further down the ballot could reshape the Rock Hill region well beyond election day.

Like any presidential election year, voter turnout is expected to swell this fall as people across the Rock Hill region make their picks for the nation’s top office. But red, blue, third-party and independent voters alike will decide Nov. 5 whether new schools and roads will be built.

Here’s what voters need to know about some of the biggest bond referendum questions ever in York, Lancaster and Chester counties:

A $588.2 million school bond in Lancaster County stretches across a broad list. It covers the whole county but much of it involves high-growth Indian Land. A new high school and elementary school would be built there. Indian Land High School would get athletic upgrades.

Kershaw and Lancaster would each get a new elementary school. The district office and maintenance facilities would be upgraded. Schools throughout Indian Land, Lancaster, Kershaw and Buford would get safety, athletic and other improvements.

Bond money would buy new buses. Career and technology education space would be expanded, and the bond allows for spending on land for future schools.

Here’s the full list of projects on the ballot.

York County started a one-cent sales tax program in 1997 to pay for road construction. Pennies for Progress runs in seven-year campaigns, meaning voters routinely have to decide whether to extend the tax. This year’s vote is the fifth campaign.

Each Pennies ballot lists an amount county transportation experts believe a new seven-year tax would generate, and the projects that would be built using that money if voters approve it. This year’s ballot has a record $410.7 million in road projects.

Some of the bigger projects include $44.9 million to widen U.S. 21 in Fort Mill from S.C. 160 to Sutton Road, $12.9 million of improvements on the Neely Road corridor in Rock Hill and $9 million for design work to widen a portion of Fort Mill Parkway.

A full list of projects and projected costs is at penniesforprogress.net. A “yes” vote extends the cent sale tax for seven years, starting in May when collections for the current Pennies campaign ends. A “no” vote lets the tax expire in the spring.

See the ballot question online here.

A new transportation tax in Lancaster County puts two questions to voters there.

The first asks whether a one-cent sales tax can be charged for road work. It would generate $405 million or last 15 years, whichever comes first. The ballot mentions improvements to U.S. 521 and Henry Harris Road specifically. Money could be spent on highways, roads, streets, bridges — all the way down to sidewalks and bike paths.

While it isn’t spelled out in the ballot question, Lancaster County has a list of road jobs they’d expect to complete. The most money, $165 million, is for U.S. 521 or major road widening.

The second vote for Lancaster County could impact timing of road jobs or be meaningless, depending on the first question. If the first vote passes, the second question asks voters whether the county can issue $250 million in bonds to fund road jobs. That money would be paid back by the sales tax created by the first question.

The $250 million in bonds would allow the county to get started on jobs quicker, compared to waiting for the sales tax to collect that amount. Of the $250 million, at least $60 million would be specific to U.S. 521 widening.

The first ballot question is online here, followed here by the second ballot question.

A $227 million bond referendum in Chester County would pay for two new replacement high schools and renovations at a third. Chester and Lewisville high schools would be replaced. Great Falls High School would remain, but get upgrades in security, science classrooms, fine arts and gym space.

Read the question on the ballot for Chester County here.

The York School District will ask its voters for up to $90 million for new and renovated schools.

The project list includes a new middle school. York One Academy, the district’s alternative learning school, would be expanded and renovated to become an early childhood center. The bond would pay for other district purchases, plus renovation or expansion at existing school sites.

Here’s the online ballot question.

This story was originally published October 21, 2024, 5:58 AM.

ROCK HILL, S.C.

Northwestern football played on a different level.

The Trojans’ offense was relentless early in its 55-7 shellacking of Rock Hill, forcing a running clock during the first half on Friday night at District 3 Stadium.

Senior quarterback Finley Polk scored three rushing touchdowns and threw for several more, leading the charge for Northwestern (9-0, 5-0 Region 3 5A) once again. The Trojans found the end zone twice during the rivalry game’s opening stages, after which they successfully pulled off an onside kick — and their offense just kept pushing.

Northwestern took its commanding lead during the second quarter, when the offense totaled five touchdowns and forced a handful of turnovers from the Bearcats (5-4, 4-1 Region 3 5A).

“It’s always good for them to see the fruits of their labor and the hard work they put in,” Trojans head coach Page Wofford said. “We have a pretty complete program at Northwestern High School. We try to do the little things right, we try to give everybody a chance, and if you come in and do what you’re supposed to do, you’re gonna have a chance on Friday night to play and win football games.”

? Northwestern maintained its dominance in this cross-town rivalry. The Trojans have now won 17 of their past 20 meetings, including 13 of the past 15.

? Rock Hill, which entered Friday night’s showdown unbeaten in Region 3 5A competition this season, snapped a four-game win streak.

? Northwestern is one of the best teams in the area, currently ranked No. 2 in the Charlotte Observer’s latest Sweet 16 football poll and No. 3 in the Top 25 in the Carolinas.

“It’s a lot of fun seeing these guys grow up. Seeing what it’s gonna be like next year after I’m gone — I’ve gotta come back. I have to come back and see them ball out, see them play. We all work hard in practice, and they make us better.

“Backups who may not think they’re very important are very important to our game. It’s good to see them get in the game, score points and help us out.” — Northwestern quarterback Finley Polk

Northwestern will be off next week, before returning on Nov. 1 to face Indian Land at 7:30 p.m. on the road. Rock Hill will be back at home next weekend to play host to Catawba Ridge at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

Rock Hill 0 0 7 0 — 7

Northwestern 14 34 0 7 — 55

FIRST QUARTER

NHS: Junior Nigel Smith capped a strong opening drive with a short rushing touchdown to put Northwestern up, 7-0.

NHS: Polk rushed it in himself from 2 yards out to make it 14-0 Trojans after Rock Hill’s opening series stalled on downs.

SECOND QUARTER

NHS: Following a successful onside kick by Northwestern, Polk rushed it in from a yard out to give his team a 21-0 advantage early in the second quarter.

NHS: Junior defensive back Jayden Baxter recorded an interception, and then Polk found senior Clifford Broughton Jr. for a long gain that brought Northwestern inside the 1-yard line. A short touchdown reception from senior receiver Tadarrian Knox gave the Trojans a 27-0 advantage.

NHS: Polk passed the ball in the backfield to junior Evan Harrison, who pulled off the flea flicker. Harrison made a nice pass and connected with senior receiver Daniel Caldwell, giving the Trojans a 34-0 lead.

NHS: Following a big sack by senior defensive end Mason Grier on third down, Northwestern’s quarterback found six more points on the ground once again. Polk rushed it in from 7 yards out, making it a 41-0 game.

NHS: Polk connected with Broughton for a 32-yard touchdown pass. It gave the Trojans a 48-0 advantage, forcing a running clock for the remainder of the game.

THIRD QUARTER

RHHS: Junior quarterback Kason Canupp tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to make it 48-7 and get the Bearcats on the board.

FOURTH QUARTER

NHS: Junior McCrea Knight found junior David Flood for an 18-yard touchdown that gave Northwestern a 55-7 lead during the final five minutes.

This story was originally published October 18, 2024, 9:30 PM.