Job loss was on the mind of U.S. Senator Jim DeMint.

He was in Florence Wednesday touring a G.E. manufacturing plant.

DeMint toured the plant along with national manufacturing officials and G.E. employees.

He says the Pee Dee is one of the hardest hit areas in the state when it comes to unemployment.

Wednesday he said specialized training for the workforce should be more widespread.

Senator DeMint says as corporations expand throughout the Eastern Carolinas, the workforce will need extra training to keep up.

He also accepted a National Association of Manufacturing award today for his commitment to industry.