6:19 am on Tuesday September 30, 2008
| Posted by Ken Hawkins
A sign of hope for Johnsonville
After noting how much or rural S.C. is struggling with poverty and job or loss -- or just no jobs -- good news came this weekend when a vital employer in the Johnsonville community announced it likely found a buyer to take over after the company leaves.
The current plant operator, Wellman, has filed for bankruptcy and intends to leave Johnsville after a more-than 50 year relationship with the community, and concerns had swirled about what people would do for jobs and where the tax revenue would come from. But today things look better with a letter of intent having been signed between the two parties. Now approval is needed from bankruptcy court.
The plant currently employs 170. It used to employ 1,700 in its heyday.