We, the residents of Sumter County, SC, USA, are deeply concerned about the proposed establishment of a utility scale 74.99 MWac photovoltaic solar energy system requiring approximately 600 acres for solar array development and support facilities. The proposed boundary area for this project is an expansive 1,922 acres in the northern region of our county near Mayesville. This land is currently zoned as Agricultural Conservation (AC), signifying its importance as valuable agricultural production acreage.

The conversion of this land into a solar farm would set a precedent and allow for other production agricultural acreage to become more susceptible to future development.  Over 280,000 acres of South Carolina farmland was converted out of production between 2001 and 2016, giving the Palmetto State the eighth highest threat score in the nation for farmland loss.  The bulk of the conversion occurred on cropland (36%) and woodland associated with farms (36%).  In May of this year, South Carolina released the findings of a statewide economic impact study. For Sumter County alone, the food and agricultural industry sector provided 16,315 total jobs, $749,857,600 total wages and over $3.2 billion in total output, right here in our own county.  In addition to the food and agriculture sector, Sumter County is also made up of 63.7% forestland with 207,620 acres in forest.  According to the USDA's Forest Inventory and Analysis in 2022, the stumpage revenue was $10.9 million for Sumter County with a delivery value of $24.4 million.

PLEASE HELP STOP THE LOSS OF PRODUCTION AGRICULTURAL ACREAGE!!!

Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on this matter Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 3pm in the Sumter Opera House, 21 North Main Street, 4th Floor City Council Chambers.

We urge the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider these potential impacts and deny the request for Special Exception approval for this project allowing for Light Industrial rezoning of Agricultural Conservation acreage.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TODAY!!!