Rock Hill officials slammed York County leaders yesterday. They called recent decisions an embarrassment to South Carolina. Those moves nearly killed a massive $1.5 billion project.
City leaders expressed fresh doubts. They questioned future cooperation between the city and county. Yet both sides finally aligned on key terms.
Rock Hill approved a tax incentive deal Thursday morning for Octapharma. The Swiss biomedical giant plans to create 1,500 high-paying jobs. The site sits at Palmetto Research Park, the former Carolina Panthers headquarters off Interstate 77 at Exit 81.
The York County Council approved identical terms Monday.
County Salvages Deal With Last-Minute Amendment
York County Council acted swiftly to save the project. Members voted 7-0 during a special meeting. They approved an amended revenue-sharing agreement for Project Palmetto Rock.
The 40-year deal routes all project revenues into one fund first. Officials then distribute shares among three partners. The Rock Hill School District receives just under 67 percent. The City of Rock Hill gets just over 19 percent. York County claims just under 14 percent.
This vote followed chaos on July 8. Chairwoman Christi Cox suddenly called an unscheduled session. She moved the final reading of the Octapharma FILOT deal. Officials had planned that reading for July 13.
During the tense meeting, an amendment passed 4-3. It shifted most of the city’s tax revenue share to the school district. Rock Hill had already rejected such changes in a prior resolution.
Councilman Tom Audette offered a compromise. It would have given schools even more money while keeping a fair split. Leaders rejected that option too.
Pattern of Controversy Raises Concerns
For several elected officials, Thursday marked their first public comments. They did not hold back.
Their comments echo a clear and very troubling pattern under Cox’s leadership. She strongly backed the failed Panthers headquarters project early on. Yet her public finger-pointing reportedly accelerated its collapse in 2022.
The Silfab Solar controversy stands out as another flashpoint. Despite a 5-0 zoning board ruling against the plant in May 2024, a clear violation of the zoning code, and continuous public outcry, Christi Cox and Josh Edwards forced approves for the project anyway. Internal records show permits were back-dated, and a Certificate of Occupancy was issued without zoning compliance. The factory sits near Flint Hill Elementary School. It handles hazardous chemicals like hydrofluoric acid and explosive silane. Reports detail multiple chemical spills and worker emergencies.
High Stakes for Jobs and Revenue
If the Octapharma deal did fall through, York County would have faced steep losses. It would forfeit $1.5 billion in investment. More than 1,200 high-paying jobs would vanish. Decades of tax revenue for schools, roads, and services would disappear.
Instead of smooth collaboration, the rushed amendment appeared to corner the city. Rock Hill officials voiced deep frustration.
The the Octapharma deal may now be saved, the damage to York County’s reputation with major employers may linger for years to come.
