The exit to historic Georgetown is easy to miss, due in part to the smog created by the International Paper mill that looms over the port city. As a result, many travelers are unaware of the magical experiences Georgetown has to offer.
Brimming with stylish cafes, coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries and five cultural museums along Front Street, Georgetown also boasts tree-lined streets set against a backdrop of stately pre-colonial homes and gardens with exquisite views of the Sampit River.
Despite this juxtaposition of beast and beauty, Georgetown has embraced the International Paper company since it opened nearly 88 years ago. Without the paper mill, the county would most likely not have recovered from an economy that was on the verge of collapse, having lost its wealth-producing rice crops after the Civil War and the Great Depression that followed.
According to George C. Rogers, Jr.’s book “The History of Georgetown County, South Carolina,” construction of the International Paper plant began on the 525-acre site in October 1936 and was completed in nine months. Between June and July 1937, the No. 1 and No. 2 machines rolled off the first reels of paper. By 1942, the No. 3 machine began production of container boxes used by the armed services for shipping supplies overseas during the war. Consuming 2,100 cords of wood per day, mostly pine from surrounding forests, the International Paper mill became the largest kraft paper manufacturer in the world.
The presence of the International Paper company transformed the county, Rogers said, citing that by July 1962 the plant employed 1,700 persons in the mill, 400 in the container plant and 250 in its Woodlands Division — a total of 2,350 employees. As there were only 34,798 residents in the county in 1960, the mill’s importance to the local economy was significant.
For example, through its Woodlands Division, which helped farmers with scientific resources, the mill created a revolution in the region’s agricultural production. With the exportation of its goods, the mill also revived the port where for 30 years the International Paper mill had a marine terminal. While Georgetown’s main import was fuel oil, her exports were paper and paper board, and many of these products were transported by the one railroad and the 20 trucking firms that served Georgetown.
According to Rogers, the primary source of income for the residents of Andrews came from working at the International Paper mill or from the local dealers who contributed parts and services to the manufacturing plant. Because of its higher wages and fringe benefits, International Paper became a model for other employers, he said.
Consequently, over the decades, working at the mill became a family tradition that in some cases was handed down for four generations. That is, until Oct. 31, 2024, when International Paper announced the closure of Georgetown’s mill, laying off 700 employees and 200 contractors.
Citing lower sales volumes over the last two years, CEO Andy Silvernail said the facility was “underutilized” and by slashing expenses the company would be able to “optimize their footprint.” An International Paper press release further stated that the company is focused on increasing profits from its global cellulose fibers business, which generated $2.9 billion in 2023. “The International Paper Mill is committed to maximizing value for our shareholders,” Silvernail added. According to 102.1 The City’s Raymond Owens, company officials expressed that closing the Georgetown factory will help with that strategy.
Former mayor and resident of Georgetown Jack Scoville said that following the termination of the port authority and steel mill, the shutdown of International Paper marks the end of an era. He added that in the short-term, this offset will see a major economic impact across the county, but the bigger picture projects great opportunities for jobs and expansion.
Since announcing its closure, International Paper has offered terminated workers severance packages and services, including a job fair, to assist with the next chapter. However, the wages most local companies offered weren’t competitive with International Paper’s. Now, many laid-off workers are looking for jobs in the greater Charleston and Myrtle Beach areas, preferring the commute over having to relocate.
Although the clouds of smoke no longer billow from the manufacturing plant, its iconic facade continues to punctuate the skyline as a reminder of Georgetown’s stimulating history and hope for a fulfilling future.
By Sarah Rose
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