TheItem.com Printer Friendly Version

This is a printer friendly version of an article from The Item.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.

Close

Article published: Dec 31, 2004
Sumter jobless hike worst in country

Sumter County registered the largest jobless rate increase during the past year of any other area in the nation, according to statistics released this week by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The unemployment rate in Sumter grew by 2.2 points in 2004, even higher than Punta Gorda, Fla., which sustained major damage from Hurricane Charley in August and saw an unemployment increase of 1.6 points.

The dubious distinction is a result of several plant closings that have impacted hundreds of workers. Sumter has lost hundreds of jobs this year as local industries sent production lines to other countries or decided to cease production because of stiff competition from products manufactured in other countries. Sumter's unemployment rate for November, the latest totals available, stood at 9.7 percent.

"I hope this is our worst time," said Naomi Sanders, outgoing Sumter County Council chairwoman. "I don't know what the problem is. We're going to have to get some good news. We've got to do something to get Sumter growing."

Bosch Braking Systems officials announced in January that the company would begin laying off workers this year and would eventually close the doors of its drum brake division. About 400 workers will eventually be affected by the company's decision to move its production lines to Mexico.

Also in January, Santee Print reported the layoff of 25 employees. In May, Southeastern Caseworks, a company that manufactured custom cabinets and cases for retailers closed, leaving about 50 workers unemployed.

In June, the Winn-Dixie grocery store located on Pinewood Road closed, leaving 30 employees looking for work.

Then, about 400 workers at V.B. Williams furniture factory were given a 60-day notice that the plant would close.

Federal Mogul, which announced in 2002 it would close its powertrain systems plant in Sumter, completed its final round of layoffs last week. The company employed 275 workers when the announcement was made, but began laying off workers last December.

The closing of several small businesses, stores and restaurants have left others looking for work.

The news came as no surprise to Keith Lucas, director of Sumter's Workforce Center. His office has been swamped with people filing for unemployment benefits and those looking for work. Lucas said he's had to hire a couple of temporary employees to handle the extra workload.

"I was aware there was quite a big jump this year," he said. "We've had a lot of job losses announced."

Other officials were stunned to hear that Sumter had the highest unemployment increase of any metropolitan statistical area in the nation.

"It's not a good statistic," said Mayor Joe McElveen. "There's no question we've lost jobs."

But McElveen pointed out that Sumter experienced commercial growth in 2004 with several new restaurants and some industries added employees. The medical technology company BD, which has a manufacturing facility on Airport Road in Sumter, announced it would hire an additional 120 employees and invest $65 million to expand its facility and purchase equipment in order to begin manufacturing a new blood collection device.

Still, officials say, commercial jobs and the new manufacturing jobs cannot make up for the losses Sumter has experienced this year.

"Those service salaries are not going to necessarily pay what some of those industrial salaries paid," said Bill Nock, chairman of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce.

Nock said Sumter must continue to seek new industry and help existing industry continue to do business here, but that is often easier said than done.

"Sumter gets lost in the ocean of economic development," McElveen said. "Sumter has a small pole and not a lot of bait."

That problem, he said, can be combated by teaming with other cities and counties through the Central South Carolina Alliance, which seeks to attract industry to the area.

"With 10 counties, you've got a long pole and a lot of bait," McElveen said.

Most Sumter officials agree that education is key to attracting industry to the area and are encouraged by recent partnerships between public schools and local industries. Still, they say, more can be done.

"We have to be better and work harder," he said.

Contact Staff Writer Krista Pierce at kristap@theitem.com or 803-774-1272.