The new White Rock plant is expected to be built in eastern Shelby County, in Vincent. The Florida based company has already bought one-thousand acres. But today, EBSCO, a local, privately-held company which operates a packing plant next to White Rock's land, hopes to keep White Rock from opening its doors.
In one word – sinkholes… EBSCO provided geological information against white rock's quarry in Vincent. However, White Rock officials said this is nothing new... and that EBSCO is more worried about losing employees and paying higher wages.
One day in place of this cotton field could be a rock quarry called Vincent Hills. But in this community of Vincent, there's strong opposition against it. None are more vocal than EBSCO, Shelby County's largest employer.
EBSCO President & CEO, Dixon Brooke, Jr said, "We're not opposed to business coming into Shelby County. We're not opposed to business coming in next to us. We're not opposed to a quarry per se. We, being responsible, we have to look at it and say what's the potential impact?"
The potential impact according to EBSCO is sinkholes caused by water drainage and the collapse of the land.
Brooke said, "At this point we are led to believe, that's a distinct possibility. Given the close proximity to this activity that's our concern."
Not everyone is against the quarry being built here in Vincent but those who are for it are in the minority. Carissa Overstreet and her family who own 160 acres are some of those people.
For White Rock quarry, Carissa Overstreet said, "We're happy. It's a 100-plus something jobs, benefits. It's within walking distance to work."
But the "no" signs on the way to White Rock's land far outweigh the "yes" signs. Overstreet believes she knows why.
Overstreet said, "Older people don't see the benefits, they see the, the health problems it might cause. But if they read everything that white rock's sending out, they'll see that it's going to benefit Vincent."
Due to travel, a White Rock official was unable to talk with us on camera, but, he told me by phone this afternoon, that White Rock has met with EBSCO officials several times, and wanted to have the opportunity to respond to EBSCO’s scientific findings, but, weren't given the opportunity.
Earlier this month, White Rock filed a "re-zoning" request. Now, it's up to Vincent's council and mayor to decide if White Rock will be able to build it's quarry.
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