York County leaders say they received death threats over Silfab Solar plant

YORK COUNTY, S.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Concerns from the national level are now trickling down to the local level.

On the heels of the shooting at Donald Trump’s political rally last weekend, York County leaders are demanding action after they reportedly received death threats. They were over the Silfab Solar manufacturer looking to operate in Fort Mill.

“Our country is in a very dangerous and dark place right now,” said York County Council Chair Christi Cox Monday night. “And I feel like some of that is spilling out into our community.”

Some residents have been pushing back against the business since it was first introduced last year. Most argue against the location off U.S. 21 being nearby residences but especially two future schools.

But officials say Silfab Solar will remain in place.

The manufacturer is pushing ahead with an appeal over a zoning ruling that reversed the property’s zoning code for light manufacturing.

“I recently received a death threat related to the Silfab development,” Cox told the county board. “The message was essentially if I did not put a stop to the development that my family would regret it. That I would die.”

She says the threat was mailed directly to her home with her kids around. But she has no idea who sent it.

And after this weekend’s assassination attempt on Trump, Cox felt like she needed to speak out.

“My purpose in bringing this up is very simple: Words have power,” she said. “We must work together as a community to stop this toxicity. We have to do that. We have to learn how to talk to each other in a way that is not threatening. That is not fearmongering. That is productive and helps us get to a place that is good for our community.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.