Published: Oct. 31, 2024 at 10:38 AM EDT
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) - Hundreds of Georgetown County residents will be out of a job by the end of the year after International Paper announced it would be closing its mill.
The company announced Thursday morning that it would be closing the doors to its Georgetown pulp and paper mill, shutting it down in stages with a complete closure expected by the end of 2024.
“This decision is especially difficult because of the impact on hard-working employees, their families and the surrounding communities,” International Paper’s Georgetown mill manager Bernie Chascin said.
The company says 684 total employees will be affected by the closure of the decades-old mill, with 526 hourly and 148 salaried employees losing their jobs to this. All employees will reportedly be offered severance benefits, outplacement services and access to mental health resources.
In a statement, the City of Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe expressed disappointment over the decision.
“International Paper has been a fixture in our community for decades, playing a large role in our local economy and supporting our community. 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,” Jayroe said.
Georgetown County also released a statement on the matter:
“Georgetown County was saddened to learn this morning that International Paper will close its mill in Georgetown this year. IP has been a great corporate citizen here for nearly 90 years, and the loss is devastating. In addition to the elimination of nearly 700 jobs, there are further community impacts including to contractors, small businesses and nonprofits. The Georgetown County Administrator and Economic Development staff is talking with IP today to get more information and will be meeting with other officials at the local, regional and state levels in various agencies, along with business partners 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. We will provide more information as available.”
https://www.live5news.com/2024/10/31/international-paper-closing-georgetown-mill-leaving-hundreds-jobless/