When Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors announced in 2023 that it would be building a sprawling factory in Richland County, South Carolina, reaction for the community was largely positive. The goal for the 110,000 square-foot-plant was to produce 200,000 vehicles per year and employ 4,000 workers.

But more recently, the supporters of this project have declined by at least two.

An elderly couple who lives adjacent to the factory project in Blythewood have filed a lawsuit claiming construction on the property drove them from their home of 40 years.

William and Barbara Shives – aged 92 and 84 respectively - are suing Scout and have named three trades companies as co-defendants due to their involvement in the construction and oversight of the project.

According to reports, the suit identifies a series of issues that allegedly stemmed from the work. The Shives say the project – which allegedly featured persistent dust, noise and vibration – “damaged their septic system, washed out their driveway, and repeatedly tossed rubble onto their property” and that “the last thing [they] ever expected was to be run out of town.”

Scout has so far denied responsibility.

According to an Oct 2 legal filing from Scout, reported by Columbia news source The State, “The damages alleged by [The Shives,] if any, were due solely to the actions of [subcontractors] and were not caused by any act or omission,” by Scout.

If the allegations are proven, the company believes it would be due to contractor negligence and they would be responsible for the damages – not Scout.

Robert Goings, the Shives’ attorney, pointed to a “blame game” saying “nobody has tried to make it right for the Shives.”

The State says that, while this was the first suit filed by a neighbor of the project, it wasn’t the first issue. According to the report, state officials determined last year that “sediment-filled stormwater had been allowed to run off the site and into the surrounding environment,” which resulted in a fine against Richland County of $1 million.

The Shives have long been considered pillars of their community, reports say. Attorney Goings told The State they are being "uprooted from their property” and are “reluctantly being forced to file this case because they are being given no other alternative.”

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