Georgetown reels as International Paper mill closure to ax hundreds of jobs

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Hundreds of workers in Georgetown will lose their jobs after International Paper announced it will close their Georgetown mill by the end of the year.

Neighbors describe the news as devastation. Many of them either worked at the mill themselves or know someone whose life is now turned upside down.

International Paper announced Thursday it would be closing the Georgetown location. The mill has been a source of income for hundreds of people here for nearly 90 years. The company said the mill will shut down in stages with a full closure expected by the end of 2024. The decision to close comes after another local steel mill already laid off hundreds of workers in the same area.

READ MORE | “Georgetown Pulp and Paper Mill to close by end of 2024, impacting over 670 jobs.”

Community members shared the local middle school held an emergency meeting warning teachers about the closure and how it would impact their students. Community members say parents losing their jobs so close to the holidays is going to hurt all the kids in the Georgetown community.

“This is supposed to be one of the best nights of the year for young kids,” Georgetown resident Tripp Adams said. “And they find out their parents are losing jobs and they might have to start tightening up on money and stuff. it would suck to find out.”

In addition to the elimination of nearly 700 jobs, the closure will also impact local loggers and contractors, as well as small businesses and nonprofits.

“I’ve been cutting hair for 29 years. A lot of customers from I.P. have come to me for many years. I’m now cutting their kid’s hair,” said Jamie Adams, owner of Cutting Edge Barber Shop. “I’ll lose a lot of business because like I said people will have to move away. I’ll also lose a lot of business because people can’t afford the things that are extra like getting a haircut and looking good.”

READ MORE | “SC loggers struggle as mill closures create wood surplus and economic woes.”

Business owners say the closure of international paper will be felt throughout the community.

Manager of longtime restaurant Ball & Que Tammy Robberts shared, “I think it’s going to have a big effect, these families are going to have to find work and they will have to go wherever they have to go and I think it’s going to be a ripple effect on the entire community.”

The mayor of Georgetown said in a statement, “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.”

International Paper said all employees will be offered severance benefits, outplacement services and access to mental health resources.