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A copy of the SCDES presentation for the June 11 public meeting is available here: Liberty Steel Presentation

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This Property is currently under Voluntary Cleanup Contract 25-8848-NRP between the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and Liberty River, LLC (Liberty). This executed contract will allow Liberty to acquire the property as a “Brownfields Development” because of the potential for environmental pollution from past activity on the property.

SCDES will not hold Liberty responsible for pre-existing pollution in exchange for doing work under the Voluntary Cleanup Contract. Under the contract, Liberty will test soil, groundwater, surface water, sediments, and soil vapor on the property. If significant contamination is found, Liberty will be required to take steps to protect human health and the environment. Liberty did not create the pollution but will control it to keep the property safe for re-use. Under state law, Liberty will not be responsible if anyone has been affected by the contamination. The responsibility of former owners or operators of the property is not reduced by this contract.

Site History

The Liberty Steel (Former Georgetown Steel) Property (“the Property”) is located at 1227 Front Street, Georgetown, South Carolina. The Property includes approximately 66 acres and is located in a generally commercial and industrial area near the downtown section of the City of Georgetown. The Property is currently developed as a steelmaking plant that manufactured wire rod in coils. The steelmaking plant has been closed since 2024.

Review of historical records indicates that the Property was part of the Serenity Rice Plantation, which dates to 1710 and operated until after the Civil War when industrial development and further residential development occurred along the west side of Georgetown.  

In 1903, the Atlantic Coast Lumber (ACL) Company opened a large lumber mill along the north bend of Georgetown Harbor on the Sampit River, generally covering the present location of the Property. ln the 1930s, ACL was impacted by market conditions associated with the Great Depression and a downturn in demand for lumber. The plant ceased operation in 1932.  

From 1932 until approximately 1969, the former ACL site remained partially or completely vacant. Prior to development of the steel mill, other site operators include Georgetown Chemical Works, a portion of American Cyanamid, Standard Oil Company, Riverside Oil Company. Georgetown Veneer, and Georgetown Plywood.

In 1970, the site was developed by the German-owned Georgetown Steel Company into its current configuration as a steelmaking plant. Steel production on the Property continued until 2024, despite a number of idles and stoppages due to economic conditions and ownership changes in the 2000s and 2010s.

Documents

Documents used by the SCDES in its oversight role are provided below for convenient access by those who are interested in learning more about the Property:

Upcoming Public Meeting

June 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Winyah Auditorium – 1200 Highmarket Street, Georgetown, South Carolina 29440

SCDES is holding a public meeting to discuss the executed Voluntary Cleanup Contract for the Liberty Steel Property located in Georgetown, SC. At this meeting, SCDES, the developer, the environmental consultant, and other participants will provide an overview of the project.

A copy of the SCDES presentation for the June 11 public meeting is available here: Liberty Steel Presentation

Questions will be accepted at the meeting and in writing through June 10, 2026. Questions can be mailed to the SCDES Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup Program at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or emailed to brownfieldsinfo@des.sc.gov.