Resident organization hopes to stop Titan Cement plant

Concerned residents spoke to county commissioners at a meeting today.

While an official contract hasn’t been signed, Governor Easley has officially announced Titan America’s plan to build a cement plant in Castle Hayne.

In April, New Hanover County commissioners offered the cement company, Titan America, as much as $4.2 million in tax breaks.

The plant would create about 160 well paying jobs with an average salary that is more than double the current average wage in New Hanover County.

But members of a resident organization called Stop Titan say the plant would increase pollution and could potentially be a health threat.

Joel Bourne of Cape Fear Citizens for Action said, “These aren’t your ready mix concrete facilities. This is a major industrial facility that’s going to burn a lot of coal and admit a lot of toxins in to the atmosphere that could potentially affect all of our kids, the fish we eat, our local communities.”

Cape Fear Citizens for a Safe Environment are working with the Stop Titan movement.

You may remember them as the group who helped stop the Hugo Neu Landfill from building a facility in Brunswick County.

Cape Fear Citizens for Action, who make up the Stop Titan movement, are holding a public meeting to discuss the cement facility.

It is at 7pm tonight at the Hampstead Community Building.