GEORGETOWN — International Paper on Oct. 31 announced plans to close its 88-year-old Georgetown paper mill by the end of the year, eliminating the jobs of nearly 700 workers.
The closure will impact 526 hourly employees and 148 salaried workers, according to a news release from IP.
“This decision is especially difficult because of the impact on hard-working employees, their families and the surrounding communities,” mill manager Bernie Chascin said in the announcement, which noted that the company plans to offer affected workers severance benefits, outplacement services and access to mental health services.
Georgetown County spokeswoman Jackie Broach said in an email that “the loss is devastating” and the impact will extend to small businesses, contractors and nonprofits.
She said the county’s economic development staff would be speaking with company officials today to gather more information and they would also be meeting with state and local leaders “to plan the way forward.”
“There will be new employment opportunities coming in the near future and we need to coordinate efforts to best serve our community,” Broach said.
The mill completely changed Georgetown’s economy when it was built in 1936. Georgetown had historically relied on the lumber industry. Over the decades, hundreds of people worked at the paper mill, its box plant, lumber yard and woodlands division.
Many others worked for privately-owned pulpwood loggers, tree-farm owners and in other forest-related businesses. IP was recognized as a major economic engine for Georgetown and surrounding counties.
“International Paper has been a fixture in our community for decades, playing a large role in our local economy and supporting our community,” Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe said in a statement. “The shutting down of the mill is unfortunate because of the positive impact it has sustained over the years in Georgetown. Our hearts go out to those being affected by this closure.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.