Protesters out Monday night for cement plant’s last forum

There was a large turnout for the last information session Monday night on plans for a cement plant in Castle Hayne. But the crowd was heavily divided between supporters and opponents.

About 60 members of the group Stop Titan showed up at UNCW’s Executive Training Center to protest plans to reopen the Old Roanoke cement plant. Protestors of all ages were out holding up signs. Many are concerned the plant’s larger impact will outweigh the benefits of the jobs it could provide.

Cliff Cash, a member of Friends of the Lower Cape Fear, said, “Businesses as small as our library who create 90 jobs don’t pollute anything. They don’t tear down any wetlands; they don’t pump mercury into the air.”

Inside, about 100 locals made their way through the protestors to find out more from Titan itself. They left with plenty to think about.