Eight companies across South Carolina are set to close in the coming months, resulting in 856 layoffs by the end of the year, according to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. Two of the closures were newly reported and add to a growing list of businesses shutting down operations statewide.
Georgetown and Florence Facilities Among Newest Shutdowns
International Paper will close its remaining container plant in Georgetown beginning in May, with a full shutdown expected by year’s end. The facility employs 126 workers. This follows the 2024 closure of the company’s main Georgetown paper mill, which had been the city’s largest employer and left more than 700 workers seeking new jobs.
Meanwhile, Koppers Inc. will permanently close its Florence plant in April. The 210-acre facility, which has operated since 1946 and specializes in treated wood products for railroad services, will lay off 66 employees.
Additional Layoffs Reported Earlier This Year
Several other companies previously announced closures and layoffs. Milliken & Company plans to close its Cedar Hill plant in Jonesville, impacting 126 workers between April and August. James Hardie Building Products will shut down its Summerville facility in March, affecting 78 employees.
In Duncan, Saddle Creek Logistics Services will close operations, laying off 130 workers by March. JeniusBank announced a small statewide reduction of three employees.
Additionally, eREV Supply Chain and DLH Solutions, both based in Charleston, will lay off a combined 327 workers by the end of February.
Under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, companies are required to provide at least 60 days’ notice before major layoffs, allowing employees time to prepare. The U.S. Department of Labor provides compliance guidance to help both employers and workers understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.
