Queen City News FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Construction crews are working on a new development in Fort Mill A grocery store will finally be nearby for neighbors living in the southern part of town It’s been a long time coming,” said Sal Incorvaia He lives just a few hundred feet from where the store will be located A 61,000-square-foot Harris Teeter will be part of a larger development off Fort Mill Parkway bringing more commercial business to this part of town “It’s nice to have a place where we can go shop for food and also go to restaurants and things like that because currently there’s really not much on this side of town,” Incorvaia said people in on this side of town lacked a close place to run to grab milk and eggs says this area of Fort Mill was chosen partly because of the unfulfilled grocery demand It will be the fourth Harris Teeter in the town “We were just talking to folks who are having to drive to Indian Land to go get their groceries or you have to drive out to the other side of Fort Mill to go to the grocery store that they want to go to,” said Barnes Connell the managing director for the Aston real estate investment company The Harris Teeter will be near Catawba Ridge High School but developers say they’ve been eyeing the property for years While negotiations were underway, the school district added more schools to accommodate growth in northern York County. Census data show Fort Mill’s growth rate is about 10 percent a year “I think it’s because since the bypass opened up this area is becoming much more developed and probably just a lot more people moving in the area,” said Incorvaia Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage emphasized the town’s commitment to thoughtful growth and praised the collaboration behind the project “Fort Mill continues to attract families and businesses because of our quality of life,” she said and this development reflects the kind of smart We’re grateful to Aston and Harris Teeter for their investment in our town and their commitment to creating a center that meets the everyday needs of our residents.” Developers hope to complete construction by early 2027 Sephora has a great selection of beauty gift sets that are perfect for Mother’s Day Thanks to a vibrant community and dedicated fans the Star Wars films constantly smash box office records and the TV shows pull in millions of viewers If you need some help brainstorming ways to celebrate Star Wars Day The Harris Teeter at the Springfield Town Center in Fort Mill The grocer is building another store nearby which will be the fourth overall in the town Town leaders announced they are breaking ground on land where a Harris Teeter A sign that the grocery was 'Coming Soon' had been pitched on the site for five years FORT MILL — That quick jaunt to the store for milk or bread will get a little quicker by 2027 for residents in Fort Mill's Catawba Ridge area Grocery chain Harris Teeter and Aston Properties, the Charlotte-based real estate and development firm, announced they are breaking ground at 11 a.m April 29 for a new shopping plaza at 1467 Fort Mill Parkway The grocery store will be a standalone building with other smaller businesses filling two separate buildings on the land and Fort Mill is one of the top sub-markets there," said Barnes Connell "The housing growth there shows there's a necessity for a neighborhood shopping center."  Harris Teeter will be near Catawba Ridge High School The grocer had plans for the property even before the school was built and there's been a "Coming Soon" sign for the grocer there for several years During that time, Fort Mill education leaders added more schools to the district to accommodate growth in northern York County. Fort Mill itself is growing about 10 percent annually. U-Haul said South Carolina was the top state for one-way truck rentals in 2024 and the company listed Fort Mill among the towns where many of the truck drivers were braking and unloading "Harris Teeter feels there's a lot of demand that hasn't been met with the addition of all these rooftops," Connell said The parkway location will be the fourth Harris Teeter in Fort Mill Aston and the grocer are also teaming up for a new location in Lake Wylie The two new York County stores will add to the 250 it has across seven states and the District of Columbia He can be reached at 803-687-3436 or at X at @LamaurStancil Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: How to watch South Carolina high school girls lacrosse: Lucy Beckham vs May 3Data SkriveFort Mill High School plays at Lucy Beckham High School at 3:30 p.m How to watch Fort Mill vs. Lucy Beckham girls lacrosseFort Mill and Lucy Beckham will hit the field on Saturday, May 3, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school lacrosse streaming live plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America Watch Lucy Beckham vs. Fort Mill on NFHS Network! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU The Fort Mill High School girls lacrosse team is headed to the state championship after defeating T.L Hanna 18-8 in the South Carolina Class 5A Division 2 Upper State final on Monday evening with #20 Molly Bennett scoring the first goal at the 4:40 mark followed by #23 Cece Shia adding another at 7:08 to give Fort Mill an early 2-0 lead Hanna answered shortly after to make it 2-1 but Shia struck again at 11:03 to extend the lead to 3-1 including one in the closing seconds of the first quarter but Fort Mill’s #9 Rylee Raiter tied it up again Hanna regained the lead at 5-4 before Shia notched her third goal to tie the game at 5-5 Fort Mill closed out the first half with a decisive 3-0 scoring run—two goals from Bennett and another from Raiter—giving the Yellow Jackets an 8-5 lead at halftime Fort Mill carried that momentum into the second half One of Shia’s goals came after she won a faceoff and drove the field herself Hanna briefly halted the run with a goal to make it 13-6 but Fort Mill’s Mallory Hitch responded with back-to-back goals including one off a sharp assist from Shia Hanna added two late goals to close out the third quarter trailing 15-8 Fort Mill sealed the game with three more goals—two by Shia and one by Bennett—bringing the final score to 18-8 Fort Mill advances to the Class 5A Division 2 state championship where they will face Lower State champion Lucy Beckham High School on Saturday Lucy Beckham secured their spot with a dominant 21-2 victory over Socastee WRHI-AM FCC Public File EEO The York County Council has voted to raise impact fees on new single family homes built in Fort Mill to almost $30,000 That means it will cost builders of single family homes in Fort Mill and Tega Cay $29,640 on top of construction costs A $21,000 set of impact fees will be levied against new multifamily units built Impact fees exist in most states and are intended to bring money to cities that are growing by way of their school districts Which is happening in Fort Mill, thanks to the school district routinely being named among the best in the state " What this does is it shows what the value of the Fort Mill School district is." Litten said representatives of the Fort Mill School District made their case for larger impact fees Assistant Superintendent Leanne Lordo said that since 2018 impact fees have brought in more than $73 million and have given the district the ability to build without referendums which is the name of our new elementary school that will open this coming August will be paid 100% by impact fees with no bonded debt on that school." district officials say the higher impact fees are warranted But Fort Mill’s fees are now among the highest in the country That puts Fort Mill’s impact fees on par with cities in California That’s partly why Monday’s Council vote to raise existing fees by about $12,000 was 4-3 Councilman Bump Roddy said Monday that impact fees are one thing but the size of the ones on deck for Fort Mill this summer are exorbitant "I do recognize the growth in Fort Mill," Roddy said "But there has to be a better way than just dumping $30,000 per house on every single family that builds a new house." Roddy also said the fees on all new builds is unfair to generational residents of Fort Mill who might want to build on their own land " There's not even an exception to someone who grew up in Fort Mill whose families own land all their lives," he said dad breaks them off a acre or two acres and they go build a house like the South Carolina Homebuilder’s Association also argue the proposed fees are far too much and say that tacking tens of thousands of dollars onto construction costs effectively kills affordable housing options Homebuilder’s Association CEO Mark Nix has also argued that projections of growth in Fort Mill schools have been exaggerated A consulting firm hired by the county in 2018 projected 20,000 students in York District 4 by last year (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — York County leaders gave the green light for increasing impact fees on new developments in order to help fund the construction and maintenance of schools in Fort Mill With the split vote at Monday’s County Council meeting existing fees will rise to $29,640 for new single-family homes and $20,796 for each new apartment unit a builder pays $18,158 per home and $12,020 per apartment The fees were implemented back in 2018 and have since raised more than $73 million for the Fort Mill School District PREVIOUS | York County leaders propose increasing ‘impact fee’ on new home developments Despite the majority of the council being in support speakers at Monday’s meeting — including council members — expressed concerns regarding the cost saying that even though builders pay the cost “That builder is gonna directly shift that cost over to the homebuyer and there has to be a better way to manage our schools manage our funding that’s going on,” Council member William “Bump” Roddey said “Let’s get some better management of money get a handle of what’s going on and not just take the easy way out.” Roddey also opposed the original impact fees in 2018 and said that things were promised then that have not been followed through such as teachers getting raises and homeowners receiving tax breaks on their property Council member Tommy Adkins added that if we continue to raise the cost of new developments the next generation of homebuyers will not be able to afford it “We’re using broke folks’ money.” “Everybody don’t make the same amount of money and we shouldn’t hinder folks in any of these districts,” Adkins says who’s been a strong supporter of impact fees “It shows what the value of the Fort Mill School District is It’s worth $30,000 on a house,” Litten says He argues that the school district doesn’t have many options outside of impact fees to afford to fund new constructions The new impact fees would go into effect July 1 these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025 Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5 take advantage of these freebies and deals FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Charlotte restaurant staple — and thorn in David Tepper’s side — is expanding across the border. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille announced on social media Thursday that the casual eatery plans to open a second location in Fort Mill. “The neighborhood is getting a little bigger! We’re excited to announce a 2nd location coming to the Baxter Village neighborhood of Fort Mill!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (@dilworthgrille) they wrote “Let the coach and GM pick,” which led to an infamous visit from Panthers owner Tepper himself Security video shows Tepper talking with staff and a server but then Tepper takes off a host’s Eagles hat before returning it to him Dilworth owner Matt Wohlfarth told Queen City News that Tepper did not seem upset with their sign The restaurant then turned its eyes on the Hornets last month “Lose 3 games by 130 points tickets should be free,” the sign read Baxter Village is a mixed-use development off S.C The Charlotte Observer reports the new location is expected to open in August Mutic felt she needed school leaders to know the facts fast on the controversial business location “We often think of kids as these little miniature adults “Their brains are developing as well as the other important lungs and other organ systems in their bodies.” She runs the Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit at Emory University. Her researchers work closely with federal regulators like the Center for Disease Controls’ toxic registry and the Environmental Protection Agency to provide information about how things like the proximity of industrial chemicals may affect children it’s really about prevention,” she said.  Mutic’s unit sent a letter to neighbors of Fort Mill’s Silfab Solar facility and the two schools set to open nearby The letter details how chemical exposures can affect children’s development and learning “The prenatal period is also a highly vulnerable time frame when harmful environmental exposures to the mother can unintentionally affect the growth and development of the fetus,” the letter reads. “Given our role in advocating for child health the Southeast PEHSU believes it is critical to address these concerns thoroughly and promptly.” “What we have to do is rely on the literature one by one of the chemicals and add toxic ingredients and be of concern when we see these thresholds that are beyond the recommended dosage for health,” Mutic said.  Silfab has been a target of criticism with some neighbors concerned about possible environmental contamination Now Fort Mill School District officials are considering launching an environmental impact study to determine any potential risks “The main area of focus for that is they’re going to look at all the modeling data that was provided as part of the air-quality permit They’re going to verify that the data match as to what the permits are adjusted for and ensure that that that information matches up,” said Fort Mill’s communications officer Joseph Burke The letter also lists the numerous chemicals the facility will be working with “Given the types of chemicals and their properties listed in permits and the Silfab Solar’s Risk Management Plan including but not limited to: Anhydrous Ammonia Silane along with the quantities stored we urge the school siting decision makers to consider an independent third party to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the potential health and safety impacts posed by this (or any new) industrial process that is constructed within proximity of childcare or learning centers the EPA recommends a sound technical assessment of both onsite and nearby potential hazards be conducted to determine whether such hazards might pose a threat to students or school staff Silfab’s operations located adjacent and <0.25 miles from Fort Mill learning centers should provide adequate justification for its geographical location” and it was addressed,” said school board member Joe Helms. “And if it comes back I think it’s going to make a lot of people feel a lot better.” Silfab Solar sent Queen City News its response to the letter:  “We are pleased to see the SE PEHSU is supported by the EPA and provides EPA guidelines Silfab Solar received approval of our Risk Management Plan from the EPA on October 5 We will continue to deliver on our promise of maintaining open dialogue with the community This includes working collaboratively with Fort Mill Schools Silfab Solar puts our workers’ and neighbors’ health and safety above all else.” “The biggest difference is to take people that are just regular parents in the community and consumers of the normal economy that lives in reside there and people that are invested in kids’ health and academics and that these people are all on the same page about caring about kids health,” Mutic said Tega Cay and Fort Mill, South Carolina, have been lauded as two of the nine premier locations to reside in the Palmetto State for 2025, according to a recent feature by WorldAtlas This recognition highlights the towns’ exceptional blend of quality of life Tega Cay: Lakeside Charm and Urban Convenience Nestled just 25 minutes south of Charlotte Tega Cay offers a unique fusion of tranquil small-town ambiance and seamless access to the vibrant opportunities of a major metropolitan area This strategic location makes it an ideal choice for professionals seeking a peaceful retreat without sacrificing urban conveniences A significant draw for families is Tega Cay’s inclusion within the highly acclaimed Fort Mill School District consistently ranked as South Carolina’s top-performing educational system Residents enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities From leisurely paddling along the scenic Catawba River to enjoying a round at the 27 hole golf course invigorating hikes through the picturesque trails and engaging croquet matches at the Tega Cay Golf Club there’s no shortage of recreational options The median home price in Tega Cay is approximately $553,333 reflecting the town’s desirability and premium living experience Fort Mill: Thriving Community with Robust Amenities Fort Mill shares the advantage of close proximity to Charlotte providing residents with an abundance of employment opportunities and cultural attractions Fort Mill is a dynamic community that celebrates its heritage and offers a rich tapestry of local events The annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival is a beloved tradition the expansive Anne Springs Close Greenway offers over 2,100 acres of preserved land Golf aficionados can enjoy the meticulously maintained fairways of the Fort Mill Golf Club Fort Mill benefits from its inclusion in the state’s leading school district ensuring exceptional educational opportunities for children Fort Mill boasts a remarkably low burglary rate of 8.75 incidents per 100,000 residents significantly below the statewide average of 24.64 underscoring its commitment to community safety The median home price in Fort Mill is approximately $502,817 making it a competitive market for those seeking quality living in a thriving community Both Tega Cay and Fort Mill provide residents with a compelling combination of safety and a diverse range of recreational activities This synergy contributes to a high quality of life making them highly sought-after destinations in South Carolina Their proximity to Charlotte further enhances their appeal offering residents the best of both worlds: a peaceful community-oriented lifestyle with easy access to urban amenities By featuring these towns, WorldAtlas has highlighted the growing appeal of the region as a premier location to live in South Carolina WorldAtlas also recognized the following towns as excellent places to live in South Carolina: Columbia Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFORT MILL (WBTV) - New traffic patterns due to construction will impact drivers near Interstate 77 in Fort Mill for the remainder of the work week The changes will happen from Monday, Jan. 27 to Friday, Jan. 31., in the area of I-77 and its interchange with South Carolina 160 Officials said the dates are subject to change due to weather conditions and urged drivers to “be prepared for lane closures and these changing traffic patterns as the work unfolds.” Citizens Alliance for Government Integrity wants to force the plant to move out of a neighborhood that's getting two new schools FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – The dispute in Fort Mill over a solar panel manufacturer’s facility is now in the hands of a York County judge It’s been over a year since a neighborhood group started fighting against the Silfab plant They argue it’s unsafe in the event of an accident – but county and state regulators disagree Some neighbors met ahead of Wednesday’s court hearing for a prayer session about the case and I know that God is in charge,” Wally Buchanan said Before Buchanan walked into the York County courtroom on Wednesday The pastor did again as he listened to attorneys argue before a judge Buchanan said he filed the lawsuit against Silfab Solar because he’s concerned about chemicals the company may use at its Fort Mill facility.“And I knew it and I’m one of those pastors that says ‘We love the children,’ and if we really love the children then we have to put feet on our prayers and we have to stay up and protect those children,” Buchanan said Buchanan is a member of Citizens Alliance for Government Integrity they convinced York County’s Zoning Appeals Board to change the plant’s zoning from light industrial to heavy industrial county leaders announced that ruling would only apply to future projects CAGI wants to force the plant to move out of a neighborhood that’s getting two new schools They’re anti-Silfab processes and methods…and so maybe something can be worked out in mediation the judge heard another motion from Silfab They claimed the group lacks standing and does not allege any particular harm The judge said her decision would come in a few weeks “If the court decides not to dismiss the appeal the next step would be for the parties to go to mediation and try to find some type of resolution or compromise,” Brandon Gaskins said with Moore & Van Allen that’s based in Charleston Buchanan said he’s not anxious about a decision “I’m hoping that we’ll simply obey the law and the county board of appeals We appealed and the decision was 5-0 in favor of the citizens FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — An infamous Fort Mill high rise finally has a future Heritage Tower is a 21-story half-built structure that’s sat unfinished for decades.  “This is a really nice neighborhood,” said neighbor Lenora Johnson There’s one word that comes to mind when you ask neighbors what they think about the Heritage Tower: “eyesore.”  is quite a lot of bricks that are falling off but I’m sure it’s stable,” said Lee Johnson “but the outside exterior is in serious need of a facelift.”  “There’s a whole ecosystem on top so we can see all types of birds and things,” added Lenora Johnson.  has been entangled in lawsuits with York County for the last 11 years Church leaders say their goal is to finish the building and turn it into a residential Christian community.  and an agreement paves a clear pathway forward one way or another.  “The lawsuit has ended,” said MorningStar attorney Don Brown “The county has allowed MorningStar to move forward but there is no litigation at all.”  MorningStar has 18 months to submit a building permit application to the county showing the tower can be finished under current building codes. If they don’t or don’t get the permit issued in 24 months they must demolish the tower within nine months. If they refuse demolish the tower and bill MorningStar.  a better option would be tear it down,” Lee Johnson said “but I’m OK with either one as long as it looks appealing.”  The building which started construction in 1986 still represents the rise and fall of televangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker.  “It was this tower that was at the very heart of the prosecution against Jim Bakker,” Brown said.  The couple rose to prominence in the 1970s and 80s as televangelist hosts of the “Praise The Lord club” or PTL That all came crashing down after Jim Bakker was accused of sexual assault and financial fraud resulting in an eight-year prison sentence.  would be a great symbol of completion victory for many who gave money for it that aren’t even here anymore,” Brown said.  Those who live in the neighborhoods nearby and have seen zero progress for decades are skeptical.  “I’m not looking forward to really one or the other,” said Lenora Johnson you’re talking about construction and how much it’s going to take to fix that building I don’t know how long I would want to keep living here.”  Brown couldn’t give an estimated cost for finishing the building nor a timeline for completion.  – The Anne Springs Close GreenwaySM is thrilled to announce the return of the Taste of Fort Mill to its beloved springtime setting on Friday Tickets to this signature fundraising event are now on sale for an unforgettable evening of flavors and community This outdoor food celebration invites the finest restaurants and culinary experts from across York County to showcase their talents More than 700 guests will gather to sample a delectable array of offerings from more than 15 culinary participants each presenting signature dishes that vary year after year This dynamic rotation ensure  a fresh and unique experience for both first-time visitors and loyal attendees A full list of participating restaurants and culinary experts is available online with more partners to be confirmed The Taste of Fort Mill is more than a celebration of food; it is a vital fundraiser made possible through the support of local sponsors as well as generous partnerships with culinary participants Special appreciation to the event’s platinum sponsors David W Proceeds from the event directly benefitthe Greenway’s mission to preserve nature and provide enriching community programs in this region Don’t miss your chance to savor the best of the local culinary scene while supporting the beautiful Anne Springs Close Greenway Registration: https://www.ascgreenway.org/events/signature-events/tofm/ Greenville took its only lead on a shot by Roman Cooley with 15 seconds left Wednesday night, and it beat Fort Mill 46-44 in the Class AAAAA Division 2 high school boys basketball Upper State final in Florence The Red Raiders (27-2) advanced to the SCHSL state championships and will face Goose Creek (25-3) in a game scheduled for 6 p.m Caden Coleman scored 22 points for Greenville had six of the Red Raiders’ final eight points He converted a pair of offensive rebounds to cut the deficit to 44-42 and Coleman tied it on a spinning one-hander from 15 feet with about three minutes remaining Greenville got possession with 1:45 left and used almost of that before Nehemiah Thompkins near the sideline found Cooley on a backdoor cut He banked it in and the Red Raiders held on at the other end Fort Mill (26-3) missed a 3-pointer from the corner in the final seconds and tied up the rebound to keep possession for another chance with one second left Greenville beat Riverside 61-48 at home in the Upper State semifinals to advance The Red Raiders won their first Upper State championship since taking three straight from 2006 to 2008 This state final against Goose Creek will be a rematch of a game Greenville lost 54-45 Dec REACHING A HIGH POINT: Here's how High Point Academy boys basketball won Class AA Upper State final In girls finals, Westside beat South Pointe 69-58 in Class AAAA; and J.L. Mann lost to Blythewood 64-59 in Class AAAAA Division 1 Todd Shanesy covers high school athletics for the Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal and Anderson Independent Mail in the USA TODAY Network. Contact him by email at todd.shanesy@shj.com. Follow him on X, formerly called Twitter, at @ToddShanesySHJ The York County Council convened on March 17 at the York County Government Center for a regular meeting included the swearing-in of new board and commission members Key legislative actions involved rezoning approvals and the allocation of $3.1 million for road projects The Council swore in the following newly appointed board and commission members: Chairwoman Cox expressed appreciation for their volunteer service and emphasized the critical role they play in supporting county governance? Chairwoman Cox clarified the Council’s jurisdiction over zoning and stated that some issues would need to be resolved in court? This summary reflects all major discussions and decisions from the March 17 How to watch South Carolina high school playoff boys basketball: Greenville vs Greenville High School will host Fort Mill High School How to watch Fort Mill vs. Greenville playoff high school boys basketballFort Mill and Greenville will match up on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network Watch Greenville vs. Fort Mill on NFHS! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at www.NFHSnetwork.com and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU