Defense Contractor Attorney Near Rock Hill, SC
Of all the valuable assets that defense industry contractors have, their reputation and credibility with government customers and regulators rank among the highest. That's especially true as it relates to Law of War compliance. In an atmosphere of increasingly pervasive regulation, heightened scrutiny, and aggressive enforcement directed at government contractors, members of the defense industry need to prioritize legal and regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. To do so, it is proactive and strategic to work with a defense contractor attorney Near Rock Hill, SC for tailored guidance.
- Defense Contractor Attorney Near Rock Hill, SC
- Law of War 101
- A Real-World Example of When Law of War Applies
- 4 Basic Rules of International Humanitarian Law
- Why Private Military Companies Need Defense Contractor Attorneys Near Rock Hill, SC
- How a Government Contractor Attorney Near Rock Hill, SC, Helps promote Law of War Compliance
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Partner Due Diligence and Screening
- Research, Report Writing, and Presentations
- Conflict Orbit: Bespoke Defense Contractor Legal Compliance Near Rock Hill, SC
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Law of War 101
If you're a defense contractor using Google to search for a defense contractor compliance attorney, you're probably well-versed in the Laws of War. But if you're unaware of these laws or you're starting a business geared towards DoD contracting, it's crucial that you understand IHL and the compliance standards you must meet. Otherwise, you could face serious consequences and lose your ability to provide goods and services across the domains of land, sea, air, space, and cyber.
What is the Law of War?
The Law of War, often referred to as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), comprises a set of international treaties and customary laws that establish guidelines for conduct during armed conflicts. Its primary aim is to minimize unnecessary suffering for the wounded and sick, prisoners of war (POWs), and civilians caught up in hostilities. In a nutshell, the primary goal of the Laws of War is to help save lives and promote some degree of humanity during armed conflicts.
To achieve this, IHL governs the conduct of wars, striking a balance between weakening the opponent and minimizing suffering. The principles of warfare are global. The Geneva Conventions, which form the foundation of IHL, have been ratified by all 196 states. Very few international agreements enjoy such widespread support.
All parties involved in a conflict must adhere to IHL, including both state forces and nonState armed groups. If the Law of War is violated, there are repercussions. War crimes are recorded and examined by nations and international tribunals, and individuals may face prosecution for war crimes.
The Law of War also applies to defense contractors, who must uphold strict compliance standards in order to sell their services. Sometimes, DoD contractors are unaware of or unprepared to meet these compliance standards. That is why they should consult with a government contractor attorney Near Rock Hill, SC, like Richard Waring, who focuses on Law of War compliance matters.
Some examples of Law of War compliance as it relates to defense contractors include:
Civilian Protection
Defense contractors, especially private military and security companies (PMSCs), are obligated to follow international humanitarian law (IHL) concerning the safeguarding of civilians and civilian objects. They must promote that they do not engage directly in hostilities if those involved are considered to be civilians.
Accountability
Both people employed by defense contractors and the companies they work for may face legal accountability for breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This encompasses possible criminal charges for serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and assigning blame to superiors for the actions of their subordinates.
Use of Force
Although defense contractors are typically not permitted to engage in offensive use of force, they may be granted permission to utilize force in situations of self-defense or to safeguard other civilians or their property.
4 Basic Rules of International Humanitarian Law
Four of the most basic rules of IHL include the following:
01
Parties involved in a conflict must always make a clear distinction between civilians and combatants to protect the civilian population and their property. No attacks should be directed at the civilian population as a whole or at individual civilians. Instead, military actions should be aimed solely at military targets.
02
Individuals who are unable or unwilling to engage in combat have the right to life and to be treated with care for their physical and mental health. They should always be safeguarded and treated humanely, without any discrimination. It is prohibited to kill or injure an adversary who has surrendered or who is no longer able to participate in the fighting.
03
Neither the conflicting parties nor their military personnel possess an unrestricted right to select their methods and means of warfare. The use of weapons or warfare methods that may result in unnecessary casualties or excessive suffering is prohibited.
04
Those who are injured or ill should be gathered and provided care by the party in control of them. Medical staff, health facilities, and transport vehicles are to be protected from attack. Individuals displaying the recognized symbol of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, or Red Crystal on a white background, as well as facilities and vehicles marked with these symbols, must be treated with respect.
A Real-World Example of When Law of War Applies
Understanding DoD and international Law of War is about more than memorizing complex legal terms. Let's look at a real-life scenario where it applies.
Consider a drone strike aimed at a suspected terrorist hideout nestled within a crowded village. While the strike may be seen as a necessary military action, the risk of civilian casualties raises serious questions about proportionality. In this context, here's how the principles of the Law of War come into play:
Proportionality
Is the expected military benefit greater than the possible harm to civilians? Are there safer alternatives that could accomplish the same goal?
Distinction
Is it possible for intelligence to verify if the hideout contains solely combatants, or might there be civilians unknowingly present as well?
Necessity
Is this the only way to tackle the threat, or are there less harmful alternatives that can be considered?
Situations like those outlined above are complicated issues. There are no easy solutions to them. Commanders often face heart-wrenching decisions, weighed down by the potential consequences of their actions. Meanwhile, defense contractors must take significant strides to promote that their products and services comply with DoD and international Law of War mandates.
That's why open and clear communication among military leaders, military companies, legal advisors, and the public is essential. By sharing their thought processes, the factors they consider, and the efforts made to reduce civilian harm, they can promote understanding and foster accountability. If you own a company that supplies the military or DoD, working with a lawyer who specializes in defense contractor compliance could save your business and your reputation.
Why Private Military Companies Need Defense Contractor Attorneys Near Rock Hill, SC
In 2010, the global market for private military companies (PMC) was estimated to be worth $200 billion and to employ around one million individuals. Today, the PMC sector provides a diverse array of services, with some firms having more than ten thousand employees. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Army has depended on private military firms and defense contractors for many reasons, including:
- Logistics Support
- Intel Support
- Weapons Management
- Security
- Military and Police Force Training
- Military Construction
In March 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense cited more defense contractor personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq at 155,000 than active military members, 145,000. In those two regions alone, defense contractors accounted for 52% of the U.S. workforce. With those figures in mind and with increasingly volatile and dangerous attacks in areas like Israel and Iran, military companies are in high demand.
How a Government Contractor Attorney Near Rock Hill, SC, Helps promote Law of War Compliance
If you're a defense contractor - whether large or small - now is the time to promote compliance with both international and DoD Law of War rules and provide appropriate training to key personnel. Here are just a few ways that defense contractor compliance law firms like Conflict Orbit can help your defense company uphold IHL laws.
Compliance Readiness
Conflict Orbit provides in-depth compliance readiness and policy development support to help your business meet Law of War requirements with confidence. Richard Waring helps create a framework that supports operational integrity and contract security. With the rising scrutiny in federal procurement, now is the time to get your business audit-ready and fully aligned with government expectations.
This service can also include pre-design or post-design legal reviews for organizations designing weapons platforms with the goal of marketing them to the government. The government will require these systems to comply with the Law of War, and performing a front-end compliance review may help ensure alignment with government expectations and mitigate potential legal risks.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
For defense contractors, comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation services can mean the difference between being in business and bankruptcy. When tailored to the unique challenges of private military organizations, this service evaluates potential legal, operational, and compliance risks related to Law of War obligations, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending targeted strategies to address them.
Whether assessing technology, weapons systems, or operational practices, experienced attorneys like Richard Waring are needed for many reasons, including:
- Promoting Compliance
- Minimizing Legal Exposure
- Protecting Your Operations in High-Risk Environments
- Safeguarding Your Organization as a Whole
Audits
In-depth Law of War audits are very important for assessing and strengthening an organization's compliance with international and Department of Defense (DoD) Law of War obligations. These audits can carefully evaluate an organization's policies, procedures, training programs, and operational practices to help them better align with Law of War standards. When you hire a defense contractor attorney Near Rock Hill, SC to perform an audit, you're taking proactive steps to promote your operations adhere to Law of War principles. Just as important, you're demonstrating a commitment to lawful conduct in conflict scenarios.
Partner Due Diligence and Screening
Comprehensive partner due diligence and screening services, help organizations evaluate potential collaborators, contractors, or third parties for Law of War compliance and applicable regulatory standards. Due diligence and screening services may include the following:
- Detailed Background Checks
- Business Practice Evaluations
- Past Performance Evaluations
- Legal Standing Evaluations
By performing thorough due diligence, organizations can reduce the risk of partnering with non-compliant or unreliable entities, ensuring smoother and more lawful operations in conflict-affected environments.
Training and Education
Custom training and education programs from defense contract lawyers help your organization better understand Law of War obligations. Since training is often a necessity for defense contractors, it should always be taken seriously. IHL sessions go over a variety of topics, from following the Geneva and Hague Conventions to navigating ethical conduct in conflict zones, all tailored to fit your specific needs. Whether it's for senior leaders or frontline staff, this type of education and training gives you the knowledge needed to tackle legal challenges and keep practices lawful in highrisk situations.
Research, Report Writing, and Presentations
These Law of War compliance services include in-depth research, detailed report writing, and professional presentations on IHL topics tailored to your defense organization's needs. Whether analyzing complex legal issues, drafting compliance reports, or delivering briefings to leadership, these options provide you with wellsupported insights to inform decision-making. Be sure to ask your government contractor attorney about how they can turn legal and regulatory frameworks into actionable guidance so that your team can stay informed and prepared when it matters most.
Conflict Orbit: Bespoke Defense Contractor Legal Compliance Near Rock Hill, SC
Around the globe, conflict is evolving. If you're a defense contractor and you're not making adjustments to secure your operations, you could violate the Law of War. However, with compliance counsel from Conflict Orbit, you can focus on doing what you're best at while lead attorney Richard Waring protects your legal interests.
The Conflict Orbit Difference
Throughout Richard's professional career, he has seen a lack of private legal services for companies who need guidance on maintaining federally and internationally mandated compliance with the Law of War. He also observed that many contractors are unaware of these requirements.
As a former Intelligence Officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and a current U.S. Army JAG Officer (National Guard), Richard has had real-life exposure to the Law of War. He is a creative and relentless attorney who also has a background in criminal justice (prosecution, defense, and investigations) and education in drone and space law.
DISCLAIMER: Conflict Orbit, LLC is a private law firm and Richard Waring is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DoD.
Richard investigated and prosecuted 1000s of criminal cases with relentlessness, including the most serious violent crimes. As a prolific trial attorney, he held countless criminals accountable for their actions while refining the skills of communication, attention to detail, and persistence in the face of challenging legal scenarios.
Having defended numerous clients accused of wrongdoing, Richard has the ability to view legal scenarios from all sides. He utilized creativity, persuasion, and a strong work ethic to obtain positive results.
Former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) intelligence officer in the Intelligence Community's Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Analytic Cell. The Cell provides intelligence support to military personnel recovery efforts for POW/MIAs, hostages, and kidnapped individuals worldwide. The Cell also currently supports unresolved U.S. and allied kidnapping cases by politically motivated anti-U.S. groups around the world.
As a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army (National Guard) Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps), Richard received formal Law of War military legal training. He currently faithfully serves both his country and state of South Carolina as a Judge Advocate, and Richard feels privileged to be able to serve in this capacity.
DISCLAIMER: Conflict Orbit, LLC is a private law firm and Richard Waring is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DoD.
On a personal level, Richard is committed to reducing the amount of harm to the wounded and sick, POWs, and civilians in armed conflict. He has reorganized his law firm to be an innovative option for organizations needing guidance on Law of War compliance. Above all, Richard finds duty to country and service to others the highest callings, and it inspires him to know that his work potentially saves lives.
Is your defense organization ready to withstand what the future holds? If you're unsure, now is the time to act. Contact Conflict Orbit today and protect yourself from an uncertain tomorrow.
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Latest News Near Me Rock Hill, SC
A key piece of Rock Hill history just sold, plus details on dozens more deals
John Marks July 8https://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article310130255.html
A key piece of Rock Hill’s textile history, a prominent York County church site and nearly two dozen homes highlight the region’s biggest property deals in June.The three-county region — York, Chester and Lancaster — had more than 30 sales last month that topped $1 million. Most of them were homes, and most of those homes were in Fort Mill.Here’s a look, according to county land records, at the region’s most rece...
A key piece of Rock Hill’s textile history, a prominent York County church site and nearly two dozen homes highlight the region’s biggest property deals in June.
The three-county region — York, Chester and Lancaster — had more than 30 sales last month that topped $1 million. Most of them were homes, and most of those homes were in Fort Mill.
Here’s a look, according to county land records, at the region’s most recent high-dollar deals:
â–Ş York-based company NL Ventures XIV Ratchford bought a 21-acre commercial property in York for $18 million. The June 26 sale includes a nearly 190,000-square-foot warehouse at 200 Ratchford Road. It was built in 1979. York County owned the property as recently as 2011, and it’s had several owners since.
The property is east of Kings Mountain Street, in an industrial area west of Lincoln Estates homes. This spring, The Herald reported industrial waste machinery maker Komar Industries would move Charlotte-based subsidiary Bace to the Ratchford Road site. Komar Industries recently posted on its social media that the company is hiring electricians and welders for the new site.
â–Ş Bass & McFadden, a Rock Hill company that also owns downtown retail property, bought The Old Cotton Factory on Chatham Avenue for $8 million. The nearly 6-acre Rock Hill site at Chatham and West White Street has 11 addresses, as the site has transitioned from a textile hub to a modern mix of commercial, office and retail space.
The Old Cotton Factory is a more than 95,000-square-foot brick building that was constructed in 1881. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and described there as Rock Hill’s first mill. It’s also listed as the first steam-powered textile mill in the state.
Banks & McFadden bought the 210 and 212 E. Main St. site downtown in 2015. That property has a dozen commercial sites. The Old Cotton Factory deal took place on June 13.
â–Ş Charleston-based Elmeco Properties bought a more than 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Rock Hill on June 26 for $2 million. The 2003 construction at 131 Rental Court is between Ebenezer Road and Constitution Boulevard. It’s a little more than 1 acre, one of six similar warehouse buildings on Rental Court. The site is an office for heating and cooling company Fogel Services.
â–Ş Commercial real estate company C.F. Smith Property Group out of Pinehurst, North Carolina, bought two properties on U.S. 21 in Fort Mill on June 4 for $2 million. A 4-acre property at 3099 Hwy. 21 has four commercial buildings totaling nearly 9,000 square feet of retail and storage space. More than 1 acre at 3139 Hwy. 21 sits behind the commercial piece, and has a 2,900-square-foot home on it. The two properties are across U.S. 21 from Regent Parkway, south of the Carowinds area and the North Carolina state line.
â–Ş Transformation Church bought the former Good Samaritan UMC property in Lake Wylie on June 9 for $1.9 million. Good Samaritan held services at the 5220 Crowders Cove Lane site for nearly 30 years, prominently situated at the Three Points intersection of highways 49, 274 and 557. The more than 10-acre site has seen restaurants, stores and housing developments spring up all around it in that time. Transformation Church is a nondenominational group with sites in Indian Land and Lake Wylie.
â–Ş Homebuilder Taylor Morrison bought 21 Indian Land lots off Harrisburg Road for $1.7 million. The June 24 sale involves property on Beacon Heights and Miles Gap roads.
â–Ş Codo Investments in Greenville bought 18 properties in the College Downs neighborhood of Rock Hill for $1.7 million. The June 13 sale involves rental homes on Gathings and Gilmore roads, Doby Drive and Patterson Court. The transaction moves Homes of Hope affordable housing units to Greenville-based Affordable Upstate.
â–Ş A Charlotte company with the same Steele Creek address as Jackson Orthodontics and Creekside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry bought a 3,600-square-foot medical office building in Fort Mill for $1.5 million. AM Jackson Real Estate bought the property June 16. The medical offices were built in 2000 at the intersection of Ben Casey Drive and Dave Gibson Boulevard, just off S.C. 160 West.
Of the 23 homes that sold in June for $1 million or more, 10 of them are in Fort Mill. Indian Land had five, and Tega Cay had four more. Two Springfield homes in Fort Mill sold for the highest amounts, at $1.9 million and $1.8 million.
There have now been 135 million-dollar home sales in the first half of the year. That’s well on pace to top last year’s record for a full year, at 185 homes.
Use the map below for more details on the recent sales. Blue icons are June sales. Black icons are million-dollar home deals from earlier this year.
WATCH: Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern LB Tamarion Watkins announces commitment to Texas A&M
Andrew Hattersleyhttps://247sports.com/college/texas-am/article/watch-rock-hill-sc-northwestern-lb-tamarion-watkins-announces-commitment-to-texas-am-251749427/
Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defender Tamarion Watkins announced his commitment to Texas A&M on Monday afternooon.247Sports Embed ResourceTexas A&M has been in pursuit of Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defender Tamarion Watkins. On Monday afternoon, those efforts by Jay Bateman, Mike Elko and other members of the staff paid off....
Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defender Tamarion Watkins announced his commitment to Texas A&M on Monday afternooon.
247Sports Embed Resource
Texas A&M has been in pursuit of Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defender Tamarion Watkins. On Monday afternoon, those efforts by Jay Bateman, Mike Elko and other members of the staff paid off.
Watkins announced his commitment to Texas A&M at a ceremony on Monday afternoon as he chose the Aggies over his other finalists Miami, Georgia and South Carolina. While the 6-foot-3.5, 195-pound defender is rated as a safety, the Aggies have focused their pitch on him playing linebacker at the collegiate level as he joins a class that also includes Tank King, DaQuives Beck and Storm Miller. The playmaking defender finished his junior year with 75 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, 2,5 sacks and three interceptions.
Texas A&M now has 25 pledges in the 2026 cycle and No. 3 class overall trailing only Georgia and USC. 247Sports' John Whittle was in attendance for Watkins announcement at his ceremony on Monday afternoon.
The video can be seen at the top of the page.
Texas A&M baseball transfer portal tracker: Who the Aggies are gaining, losing after 2025 season
The Texas A&M baseball team will have an opportunity to bolster its roster through the transfer portal, which opens for a 30-day window Monday. Follow along in this article and the comment section to receive news and analysis with the Aggies and their portal activity.
The Texas A&M baseball team will have an opportunity to bolster its roster through the transfer portal, which opens for a 30-day window Monday (June 2-July 1). Follow along in this article and the comment section to receive news and analysis around A&M and its incoming commitments, outgoing portal entries, 2025 MLB Draft hopefuls and more.
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2026 Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern LB Tamarion Watkins commits to Texas A&M
TexAgshttps://texags.com/s/67853/2026-rock-hill-sc-northwestern-lb-tamarion-watkins-commits-to-texas-am
The 2026 commitments continue to roll in for Mike Elko and his staff, and for the latest addition, the Aggies reach into South Carolina for a versatile defensive threat as linebacker Tamarion Watkins announced his decision to commit to Texas A&M.Watkins checks in at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, and he has been a rangy playmaker on the Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defense.His length, instincts and physicality are quick to j...
The 2026 commitments continue to roll in for Mike Elko and his staff, and for the latest addition, the Aggies reach into South Carolina for a versatile defensive threat as linebacker Tamarion Watkins announced his decision to commit to Texas A&M.
Watkins checks in at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, and he has been a rangy playmaker on the Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defense.
His length, instincts and physicality are quick to jump off the tape. He has been a standout at linebacker and safety over the past two seasons, and in 2024, he earned all-state honors while helping to guide Northwestern to a state championship season.
Coach Jay Bateman is leading the Aggies’ recruiting efforts, and A&M has let him know they see him in a Scooby Williams-type role in College Station.
He becomes the Aggies’ 25th commitment of the 2026 recruiting class, and he chose the Aggies over fellow finalists Georgia, South Carolina and Miami.
We’ll have more soon for our TexAgs Premium subscribers.
2026 Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern LB Tamarion Watkins commits to Texas A&M
July 14, 2025
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The 2026 commitments continue to roll in for Mike Elko and his staff, and for the latest addition, the Aggies reach into South Carolina for a versatile defensive threat as linebacker Tamarion Watkins announced his decision to commit to Texas A&M.
Watkins checks in at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, and he has been a rangy playmaker on the Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern defense.
His length, instincts and physicality are quick to jump off the tape. He has been a standout at linebacker and safety over the past two seasons, and in 2024, he earned all-state honors while helping to guide Northwestern to a state championship season.
Coach Jay Bateman is leading the Aggies’ recruiting efforts, and A&M has let him know they see him in a Scooby Williams-type role in College Station.
He becomes the Aggies’ 25th commitment of the 2026 recruiting class, and he chose the Aggies over fellow finalists Georgia, South Carolina and Miami.
We’ll have more soon for our TexAgs Premium subscribers.
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Tags: Mike Elko, Jay Bateman, Commit Story, Scooby Williams, Tamarion Watkins, Football Recruiting, Texas A&M, 2026
Discussion from...
Billy Liucci's TexAgs Premium (80 replies) Texas A&M Football (21 replies) Recruiting (0 replies)
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2026 Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern LB Tamarion Watkins commits to Texas A&M
9,156 Views | 21 Replies | Last: 2 hrs ago by LAAG
Whoop
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AG
Hot dang!
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AG
10
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But can he play …
Oh he can?! Sweet
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Picked us over Georgia. That's skrong.
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Welcome!
2
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Nice!
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Man, the defensive recruiting looks really good! Coach Elko said you won't see the quality of defense we were playing at the end of last season again and I think he meant it!
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All your LB belong to us
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AG
21
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Well, you just did.
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Welcome aboard Mr. Watkins.
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And I hate USCe lol
Loving this in so many ways
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Gig'em T-Wat!
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Great! LB recruiting has been a concern in the past. Really getting that situation turned around.
Can he play LB? Hell yeah!
Maroon Flash
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Hell yeah, whoooop.
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AG
Welcome home sir! Gig'em!
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Welcome to Aggieland, Tamarion Watkins!
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July Evalauation Period Day 3: Purdue recruit Luke Ertel's week in Rock Hill and more
Brian Neuberthttps://www.on3.com/teams/purdue-boilermakers/news/july-evalauation-period-day-3-purdue-recruit-luke-ertels-week-in-rock-hill-and-more/
ROCK HILL, S.C. — The July evaluation period rolls on, as adidas winds down its championship event and Nike readies to tip off the Peach Jam.News and notes from Saturday in the Southeast.PURDUE RECRUIT LUKE ERTEL’S WEEKAfter spending the back half of June resting his troublesome ankle, hoping to be 100-percent in time for July, Purdue recruit Luke Ertel has rounded back into form, as he’s shown...
ROCK HILL, S.C. — The July evaluation period rolls on, as adidas winds down its championship event and Nike readies to tip off the Peach Jam.
News and notes from Saturday in the Southeast.
PURDUE RECRUIT LUKE ERTEL’S WEEK
After spending the back half of June resting his troublesome ankle, hoping to be 100-percent in time for July, Purdue recruit Luke Ertel has rounded back into form, as he’s shown at adidas’ 3SSB Palmetto Road event.
According to event stat-keeping, Ertel has averaged 19.8 points, 6.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds in Rock HIll. Notably he helped his Indiana Elite team to within one win of playing for the event title for the second straight year.
In the morning on Saturday, Ertel went for 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a comfortable win over Team Loaded; in the evening he scored 12 with 10 assists in a relatively one-sided loss to a Game Elite team that has multiple future draft picks. Indiana did get the game down to two possessions in the final minutes, though, thanks in part to some key plays from Ertel, one of this 3SSB Circuit season’s top performers since tip-off in the spring.
Important context to Ertel’s play this weekend: Indiana Elite has never been flush with ball-handlers this spring and summer, and really doesn’t have many real playmakers. Terrence Hayes of Gary is normally the secondary ball-handling option and second-best scorer off the dribble, but he’s out with an ankle injury.
So not only did Ertel play all 64 possible minutes on Saturday, but he did so playing at his usual breakneck pace, as the focal point of opponents’ perimeter defense and needed badly to force the issue at times as a scorer. That this has come right after he’d been sidelined for weeks really adds some additional meaning to his productivity but also in Indiana Elite coming one win short of playing for a title.
A PRIME 2026 OFFER CANDIDATE
After he erupted for 35 and 30 points on Friday, the 35 coming against Indiana Elite in its 103-100 win, Class of 2026 prospect Jacob Webber might be on the verge of a Purdue offer.
Following his big day Friday, Virginia, Texas and Purdue called him.
“Purdue said it’s going to be calling me back after the weekend, like Monday or Tuesday,” Webber said.
At 6-foot-7, Webber is an elite shooter, clearly one of the finest in his class nationally. For Purdue-specific reference, his shooting skills remind most of Ryan Cline or Sasha Stefanovic in that he is really gifted shooting on the move, running into catches and letting fly. It’s a really important skill for intricate offensive teams like Purdue. Creighton, too. They’re another of the options presented to Webber, a Kearney. Neb., native who’ll play at LaLumiere in LaPorte this season.
Webber and his family drove from Kearney during the season to unofficially visit Purdue for its win over Alabama,
“Everything I’ve seen from them, I’ve loved,” Webber said. “I love Coach Painter, I love P.J. (Thompson) who’s been reaching out to me. It’s just been a great (relationship) so far.”
Creighton, Washington, Nebraska and Iowa have offered Webber to date. Danny Sprinkle attended Webber’s game against Iowa United Saturday afternoon, as did assistants from Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and more, though it bears mentioning that Iowa United has several prospects, including big man and Purdue target Arafan Diane.
A very well-coached team built around a core of personnel from the prep school of the same name, Iowa United paid Webber the ultimate compliment by throwing at least four different defenders at him, face-guarding him the whole game, often the full length of the court.
COLBEN LANDREW ERUPTS
One of the elite players in the 2026 class, recent Purdue official visitor Colben Landrew proved it in Game Elite’s win over Indiana Elite Friday night, shooting 8-of-10 for 24 points, to go along with seven rebounds and an equal number of eye-catching grown man plays in front of a crowd of coaches that included a heavy SEC contingent, including Nate Oats. (Game Elite also has five-star Caleb Holt and others.)
Game Elite’s point guard is Purdue 2027 target Kevin Savage Jr., who scored 11 points with six assists.
Here’s Landrew on his Purdue visit.
PURDUE’S WHEREABOUTS
Matt Painter was in Richmond Saturday to watch in-state 2026 forward Noah Smith help Grand Park Premier to two more wins on the Puma/Pro-16 circuit.
Brandon Brantley was at adidas and Paul Lusk at Nike’s EYBL in Augusta.
NOTEBOOK
• Jason Gardner Jr. was excellent in Rock Hill, drawing Jon Diebler and Darian DeVries and assistants from Purdue, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Arizona to his afternoon game Saturday.
And it’s been another shooting clinic from Cooper Zachary, who was 12-of-16 from three in two games Saturday, including 6-of-7 in a rout of Phenom United.
• In Augusta, big games from two of Purdue’s prime 27 targets, Jaxson Davis (28 points, eight rebounds) and Isaiah Hill (15 points, five rebounds, four blocks), in wins.
Why this SC town welcomed a solar cell plant as York County tried to halt Silfab
Nicholas Sullivanhttps://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article310426080.html
A new solar cell manufacturing facility opened in South Carolina this year with no fuss and much fanfare.That company is not Silfab Solar, the beleaguered Canadian manufacturer that’s fought opposition left and right as it prepares to open a Fort Mill plant.Locals in Fort Mill staged protests. They inspired ...
A new solar cell manufacturing facility opened in South Carolina this year with no fuss and much fanfare.
That company is not Silfab Solar, the beleaguered Canadian manufacturer that’s fought opposition left and right as it prepares to open a Fort Mill plant.
Locals in Fort Mill staged protests. They inspired two bills at the Statehouse. They commissioned billboards lambasting the company.
They even took Silfab to court — a case that’s pending and could determine whether the company gets booted after sinking tens of millions of dollars into the property.
About two hours southwest lies a much different story.
When ES Foundry opened its solar cell manufacturing facility in unincorporated Greenwood County, situated roughly between Columbia and Greenville, residents flooded the company with interest and support. It’s already snagged a national award celebrating its positive impact.
Trentsie Williams, the CEO of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, said the area has been nothing but receptive. The company created hundreds of jobs and brought new life to a facility that’s been vacant for several years, she said.
“Usually when they’re creating jobs, unless there’s some huge environmental issue, most people are OK with new employers coming to town,” Williams said. “Typically you don’t get a lot of pushback from a large fraction of your community not welcoming a company.”
So, why have two South Carolina facilities in the same line of business received such different reactions?
History and demographics offer a partial explanation.
Both communities relied on manufacturing to prop up their local economies before diverging near the turn of the century.
An influx of transplants caused Fort Mill’s population to swell by more than 126 percentage points since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Greenwood County’s population increased by less than one percentage point over the same time period.
Many Fort Mill residents today arrived long after its textile mills closed and the town transitioned to other sectors. But manufacturing is still the number one employment sector in Greenwood and accounts for one quarter of its labor force, according to James Bateman, the county’s economic development director.
“It’s a heavily industrialized community in some areas,” Bateman said. “There is a strong textile heritage in Greenwood. As the textile industry faded, modern technologies led to investments in advanced materials firms we have today.”
ES Foundry opened just as another long-time factory closed. Hundreds lost their jobs, Bateman said, including 200 direct employees and 100 contractors.
The companies worked together to facilitate new roles for displaced employees so they could walk straight into ES Foundry without ever missing a paycheck, Bateman said.
About 100 of their current employees came from the closed factory, ES Foundry CEO Alex Zhu said. The company will employ 500 people once fully staffed.
“Greenwood is not a big city,” Zhu said. “Every job in that location (is) important, and any of the factories (closing) will have significant impact on the local community … We helped to reduce the impact.”
Trade & Industry Development magazine honored ES Foundry with a Corporate Investment and Community Impact award in May. That same month, Fort Mill residents protested outside of a York County Council meeting to demand officials revoke Silfab’s permits.
Silfab will create an estimated 800 jobs.
Zhu traveled across the country to find the right location, he said. That included the Silfab site in Fort Mill, which was a vacant distribution warehouse at the time.
It wasn’t ideal.
The building was an empty shell that would take a full year to connect to utilities, he said. ES Foundry would have to work from scratch to upfit the facility to handle wastewater treatment, gas and chemicals.
By contrast, the Greenwood site had most infrastructure already in place because it housed a heavy industrial company for decades, Zhu said.
“A good site means less investments, more ready to go,” Zhu said.
Only eight months passed from the day ES Foundry signed a lease to the day it opened, Bateman said. ES Foundry did not receive any tax breaks or economic incentive deals from the county.
To date, Silfab has spent more than $100 million to upfit the facility, according to the company. Silfab is still working to open after more than a year of preparations.
County officials actively recruited Silfab to Fort Mill. York County Council approved a 30-year tax rate incentive at about half the typical manufacturing rate, and Silfab also received a $2 million state economic development grant.
Silfab leaders saw “strong potential” in the local workforce. And unlike ES Foundry, Silfab considered the emptiness of the site a plus.
“The size and layout of the facility were key factors—it offered the square footage needed for our planned production capacity, sufficient loading docks, and a clean shell that gave us flexibility during construction,” the company said in a statement.
The crux of the Silfab controversy is zoning.
Silfab sits near homes and restaurants and next door to two future schools, one of which will open this fall to more than 800 students. York County zoning staff determined in 2022 that solar cell manufacturing was allowed in light industrial areas such as the site of Silfab’s 7149 Logistics Lane facility. Silfab obtained permits and began construction with that understanding.
But in May 2024, the York County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously determined solar cell manufacturing was not allowed in light industrial areas. The county soon issued a statement saying that ruling only applied to future construction — not to Silfab. County planners don’t have to answer questions about why they approved Silfab for the area.
The company has sustained a community pressure campaign ever since trying to force it out of town.
“Silfab has worked closely with all local, regional and federal government agencies and authorities to ensure that the Fort Mill facility met or exceeded all requirements and provided a benefit to the community as well as economic prosperity and growth of the region,” Silfab said in a statement. “It is unfortunate that a small group initiated a deliberate misinformation campaign that has generated fear and misunderstanding among some members of the community trying to overshadow the significant benefits associated with this investment and endorsement in the region.”
Fort Mill residents organized into the “Move Silfab” movement and targeted several chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid and silane, they said were inappropriate to use so close to schools.
They consulted a group of pediatric environmental health specialists, who agreed the types and quantities of chemicals Silfab will use warrant a closer look, and commissioned the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health to study potential health risks.
Silfab maintains the building’s light industrial zoning aligns with its operational needs, and no schools were in the immediate area at the time the company was approved.
Zoning was never an issue for ES Foundry, Zhu said. His company operates in an area with a different zoning designation.
ES Foundry inherited a facility zoned for heavy industrial operations and surrounded by other factories. ES Foundry is miles away from the nearest school and sits in a relatively rural pocket of Greenwood County.
“It’s nothing new to have a factory there versus a newly proposed facility being constructed that is in a nonindustrial area, in a part of town where residents aren’t accustomed to it,” Bateman said.
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