Read more: Local, Georgetown, Arcelor Mittal, Steel Plant, Boeing, North Charleston, Jobs, Port of Georgetown, Georgetown Workforce Center
The Arcelor-Mittal steel mill in Georgetown sits closed.
Georgetown County's economic officials hope there's a trickle down effect from the new Boeing aircraft assembly plant heading to North Charleston.
With a steel plant that just closed its doors and work slowdowns at the International Paper plant, Georgetown County needs all the help it can get.
Fortunately, Charleston County, with its future Boeing plant, is right next door.
The Arcelor Mittal steel plant in Georgetown closed down this summer, putting a few hundred people out of work.
State Representative Carl Anderson believes some of those laid off workers could find jobs at the future Boeing assembly plant, only about 60 miles away in North Charleston.
"They're going to hire about two thousand people right off the bat. and then additional people, so it's real helpful to Georgetown County."
Anderson says Georgetown's seaport could be an important factor in attracting new suppliers for Boeing. But port officials say the channel leading to the port needs be dredged to a depth of around 27 feet to accommodate bigger ships.
"We are seeking funds right now to do that type of dredging that is needed so that some of the business will come this way, because Charleston port will not be able to handle all of the in and out for the cargoes for that business," said Anderson.
Laid off steelworkers and others desperate to find jobs are already making their way to the Georgetown County workforce office to inquire about jobs at Boeing.
Workforce Center officials don't have much information to pass along yet, but they are telling the unemployed, keep in touch.
"A lot of people coming in and inquiring about it. But we are certainly encouraging them to keep in close contact with us and as soon as we get more information about how to apply, we certainly will share that," said Brenda England, Georgetown County Workforce Center.
Representative Anderson says he thinks boeing could create at least 1,200 jobs for Georgetown County residents.
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