WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Allendale Co. posts highest unemployment rate in SC

Allendale Co. posts highest unemployment rate in SC

ALLENDALE COUNTY, SC (WIS) - New unemployment numbers show the jobless rate in South Carolina jumped to 10.4 percent. 

Allendale County came in last place with an unemployment rate of more than 23 percent.

Places like the former Mohawk Carpet plant in the Allendale County town of Ulmer have been sitting empty.

The shutdown wiped out 225 jobs.

It was a setback for Allendale County, but area leaders say it was a relatively rare setback. And certainly not enough to explain the county's 23.4% unemployment rate.

"I think it's lower for a lot of reasons," said County Council member and radio station owner Carl Gooding.

"I'll bet probably Allendale County has more industrial jobs in this little county than either two of our neighboring counties like Barnwell and Hampton combined," said Gooding.

Allendale County has several large employers ranging from lumber to manufacturing.

But it remains mostly agricultural and rural with fewer people per square mile that any other South Carolina county.

Allendale Mayor Ronnie Jackson is among those who say the county has had trouble attracting new industry.

Though he too, sees few signs of rampant joblessness.

"We all have employment problems, but I don't think it's got up to be 23 percent. I admit that we got some problems but I don't think it's that high," said Jackson.

Jackson and other officials are trying to focus on positives. Work is set to begin on a new library and tech school.

And they say, USC Salkehatchie continues to offer educational and cultural opportunities despite a suggestion from Gov. Mark Sanford to close this and two other campuses.

"Probably the lowest tuition in the university system or any college in the state is right here at Salkehatchie, USC-Salkehatchie," said Jackson.

At the Allendale Chamber of Commerce a piece of artwork depicts thriving businesses on a stretch of Highway 321. Today, many are long gone.

Another case of a picture painted that doesn't match what people here see in real life.

Reported by Jack Kuenzie

Posted by Jeremy Turnage