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RICHMOND HILL, Ga. — The Richmond Hill City Center was packed to capacity on Monday as Westwin Elements presented their plans for a proposed nickel refinery, addressing community concerns.
The meeting, which lasted two hours, saw many residents express frustration over unanswered questions. Despite this, some attendees shared privately that they found the session informative and praised Westwin Elements CEO KaLeigh Long for her presentation.
Established just four years ago, Westwin Elements aims to establish what they claim would be “the only major nickel refinery in America” right in Richmond Hill. The project promises to create 800 jobs over the next seven years.
The proposed refinery would occupy the former Caesarstone site in Belfast Commerce Park, which is currently private property. Long stated the company’s intention to purchase and revitalize the old Caesarstone facility.
According to Long, the location of the proposed plant is approximately three miles from Richmond Hill High School and one mile from the nearest residential area.
“It’s a very attractive offer that you guys already have an industrial plant sitting in your industrial park vacant,” Long said.
Long mentioned two large nickel refinery operations in the United Kingdom and Canada. She said there are “no negative impacts” to those communities.
When requested data or a report to back up this claim, Long said, “It’s hard to prove the absence of something.”
Still, there are health and safety concerns.
“A lot of people move here because of the family environment, the coastal living scene that everyone loves,” Amber Pindell, a resident, said. “I think it’s just why people want to live here. They don’t want to live in a heavy industrial area.”
Concerns range from the company’s hurricane or disaster preparedness, prior lawsuits, and the proximity of the plant to neighborhoods and local schools.
Some local residents are calling for those who also oppose the plant to email the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and state their objection against an air quality permit before the deadline Feb. 6. To send a written comment, email Air-Permits.comments@dnr.ga.gov.
We’re told residents must include “air permit application” in the subject.
Westwin has one other site in Lawton, Oklahoma, but the refinery is not commercial. Rather, Westwin representatives called it a “demonstration plant.”
“You’ve got a pilot plant out in Oklahoma that processes samples… You’re going to say that you have the experience to go and build a commercial site facility in our area? That scares me,” Pindell said.
Long said there would be no mining or traditional oil and gas refinery at the facility. She also said there would be no noise or air pollution, and they will not produce solid or liquid waste streams.
Richmond Hill Mayor Kristi Cox was not allowed to speak to the media, referencing a nondisclosure agreement.
County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger told he’s proud of the community for showing up.
“I’m glad that people showed up to really voice their opinion. because it’s for our community,” Infinger said. “We’re elected to do the will of the people, so we’re paying very close attention to this.”
If they meet zoning requirements and buy the privately owned site, Long said the Richmond Hill facility would be completed in late 2027 and operational in 2028.
There are several more opportunities for the community to weigh in on this issue. The Richmond Hill City Council meeting is Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. The Bryan County Development Authority meeting is Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. and the Bryan County Commission meeting is Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Tax incentives
Long said she received a tax incentive offer from the Bryan County Development Authority in April 2025 but could not disclose the amount.
However, the authority said in a statement, “Please be assured that if Westin Elements requests that the DABC consider revenue bonds, or any further incentives, we will ensure that the public is made aware of the time and place of the meeting.”
Cease-and-desist letter
Infinger did not comment further on the cease-and-desist letter he was sent by Westwin following the Jan. 13 county commission meeting.
The letter states in part, “[Infinger] stated that Westwin is currently part of numerous federal lawsuits. After the meeting, [Infinger] stated to members of the media that Westwin is currently under federal investigation. In addition, Westwin has been informed that [Infinger] have told numerous individuals that someone died at one of Westwin’s facilities. These statements are all false and constitute defamation under Georgia law.”
The letter demanded that Infinger publicly apologize within five days, but he did not.
His attorney responded, “Westwin is currently part of numerous federal lawsuits; Westwin is under federal investigation; and someone died at one of Westwin’s facilities. The first statement you reference is factually true. You mischaracterize and misattribute the latter two. And perhaps most importantly, Chairman Infinger’s statements about a matter of significant public concern Westwin – and the activities of the Board of Commissioners are privileged. Privileged communications cannot, as a matter of law, form the basis of defamation claims.”
View the EPD Public Advisory pertaining to Westin below: