Georgetown officials, county agencies discuss plans after paper mill closure
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WBTW) — People gathered at the Georgetown Courthouse to hear from community leaders about the county's efforts to help those affected by the paper mill closing at the end of the year.
Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe said leaders understand the concern knowing the International Paper Mill will close. She said the leaders who spoke at Thursday's news conference are already working both locally and regionally to create pathways for displaced workers.
With the mill being an integral part of the community for roughly 90 years, Jayroe assured people that the city will do all they can to help.
"This is a time for us to come together," she said. "We are a city of hard-working, resilient people and we will get through this together."
Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Workforce Development Director Ayla Dyer said the response started this week when the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce deployed staff members onsite to the paper mill to conduct informational meetings with mill employees. 18 separate informational sessions will review and explain the unemployment insurance benefits, reemployment services and retraining programs.
"Specifically, these sessions outlined how to file unemployment, how to get on the computer systems at S.C., work systems, services available for them such as career counseling, which would include resume writing, interviewing and job searches," Dyer said. "Also how to access community resources and career and training services offered through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act."
Dyer said at the sessions, I.P. workers were also allowed to sign up for workshops held next Thursday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov.15 onsite to assist them with resumes, interview preparation and mock interviewing.
"These workshops are designed to prepare these employees for two upcoming job fairs four, which will be held on Nov. 21 and 22 at Howard Gymnasium," she said. "To date, we have over 50 employers who have signed up to participate in these job fairs."
She said numerous businesses and industries from across the state have reached out to inform the county of job openings that would take in IP workers.
"Support includes, again, filing for unemployment, job search tools, workshops, career coaching and access to retraining programs through WIOA and apprenticeships. These services are available to IPI employees, IP contract employees and those who have been laid off or experienced a reduction in hours due to the closure of Georgetown," Dyer said. "Services are also available to any spouse who did not work but may need to enter the workforce due to their spouse losing their job."
Georgetown County Chairman Louis Morant said agencies will help workers find other potential career paths including education, technology and health care.
"Our first priority is the people who are struggling right now with uncertain futures as we enter the holiday season," Morant said. "The journey forward won't be easy. And we know the road to recovery will take time. But I am confident that Georgetown County will emerge stronger."
Tidelands Health President and CEO Bruce Bailey said Tidelands is one of those agencies ready to help as best they can.
"We are plugging ourselves into all of the workforce initiatives that have been described. We've got a couple of hundred positions open right now, so we hope we can map out a path for some of the folks at IP to find a way to come work for us if that works for them, right?" he said. "That may not, and that's fine, but we will be here to help them find something that replaces their income, creates some stability for their family."
Bailey said Tidelands has already been in meetings with various health clinics to ensure those impacted by the mills closing are not limited to their access to health care, access to their doctor, or access to any other needed medical services.... as well as food insecurity.
President and CEO of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Beth Steadman, addressed the concerns about the economic impacts the mill closing would have on the community.
"We understand that these small businesses play a critical role in our economy, and they are, in fact, the heartbeat of our community," Steadman said. "So currently, we are actively engaging with our members and other small businesses around the area to understand the specific challenges that they are addressing and trying to work to provide tailored support."
Job fairs for those affected will take place Nov. 21 and 22 at the Howard Gymnasium, with already 50 employers signed up to participate.
"So whether it's business, government, nonprofits or residents, we're coming together to help IP, the IP employees, as well as the small businesses adapt, recover and continue to serve our areas needs," Steadman said.
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Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter , Facebook or Instagram , and read more of her work here .
