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By Donna Bumgarner
Contributing Writer
Renfro Manufacturing, the only industry in Whitmire, is closing its doors, and that leaves Whitmire with “nothing” when it comes to industry. Ever since West Point closed its doors in 2001, Renfro has been the only industry in our community and has provided more than 40 percent of the water and sewage income and more than 230 jobs for our residents and additional jobs for people from Union, Newberry, and other surrounding areas.
The plant is closing its doors because of the national economic downfall and the lack of sales of socks for men, women, and children they make. Some sources say that it is due partially to the withdrawal of a contract with Wal - Mart, one of their major purchasers, but since they manufacture and sell their products throughout the world in Mexico, Canada, and other places, the loss of a contract with Wal - Mart alone cannot cause them to lose the financial stability that allows them to keep their doors open in plants like Whitmire.
Renfro is one of the largest employers in Newberry County, and its closure will not only affect this community, but also the county as well. According to Dave Green, Renfro’s Vice President for Human Services, located at the home office in Mount Airy, NC, 20 percent of the plant’s workers come from areas other than Newberry County, but it has been confirmed that 40 percent of them are from the Whitmire area, which includes the town of Whitmire and the surrounding areas. That personally affects about 231 people from Whitmire out of 1700 who live within the town and several hundred that live within the Whitmire area.
City Searching
For Ways to Save
The loss of so many jobs alone is devastating, but adding the fact that Renfro makes up 40 percent of the total income for the water and sewer system makes it even more serious. The town depends on the revenues from Renfro to keep the budget balanced and allow them to do projects that make the town more attractive to businesses and industry in the future. Mayor Carroll and Commissioner of Public Works Jimmy Dunaway have already begun to look for ways to hold down the rates for home use of water, but when the water bills for Renfro cease to be, the town will have to absorb the cost in some way, and it will most likely include an increase in the water rates for home use.
One way the town plans to save money is finding ways to cut out any spending that is not a necessity by testing the water less, avoiding waste, and lowering power usage. They also plan to sideline some projects that were already in the planning stages, such as the $750,000 water intake pipe replacement. If the need is out there, the town plans to find others who need a source for their water perhaps as far away as Lake Murray or Union. The town has the infrastructure; it is well prepared to meet the needs of others.
The town has already temporarily laid off two employees, one from the water plant and one town worker. They may have to lay off as many as two more water plant workers or town employees if the situation gets worse in order to balance the budget and get through the tough times ahead.
Commissioner of Public Works Dunaway is optimistic, however, and he believes that the town will get through by planning carefully and tightening its belt financially. He stated, “We’ll make it. It’s going to take a little while, and it’s going to be tough. There’s going to be some hard times for a little while.”
He added that people will always need water; wells get contaminated and dry up. Currently, the town has five employees at the water treatment plant, and he maintains his belief that they can manage with fewer people; they just have to work hard to do what must be done without going over the budgeted amount. He said, “We have to look for ways to cut the overhead.”
Mayor Tim Carroll stated that if additional layoffs were necessary, it would probably involve one person at the water plant and some part-time officers. He assured this reporter that the town would not lose its police protection and stated that he would rely on volunteers and reserve officers if he had to. He, like Dunaway, stressed that necessity comes before wants and the town could continue providing the necessities if it is careful and frugal.
Businesses Brace for Impact
Local businesses will also be affected by the closing of the plant. Everything from Roche Pharmacy to Dr. Yannetti’s office will be hit by the domino effect of the closure. Workers without insurance cannot afford to go to the doctor or pay for their medicine. John Roche, our local pharmacist, said that he was worried about the people who needed their medicine but could not afford to pay for it. He also expressed a concern for those who might not be able to afford to pay their part of the Cobra Insurance that most of them will wind up with. When they only draw a percentage of their normal pay with unemployment checks, the laid-off workers will have to choose to pay a large portion of their check for insurance or pay the bills and put food on the table.
Other businesses will also be affected by the domino effect of the closing. Edgar Baker of W.E. Baker and Sons stated, “This is the worst thing that could hit the town.
Carroll Thomas, owner and operator of Thomas Grocery and Grill since 2006, stated that 20-30 Renfro employees come into his grocery store or grill every day, and he has already had to cut back on the employees’ hours, but he may have to do more because he has to survive.
He said, “I’m real worried. I have a lot of money tied up in this place. All I can do is trust God and take it one day at a time. That’s all I can do.”
Doris Abernathy a Whitmire Native and owner of The 99 Cents and Up Storehouse, recently opened her business on Church Street and she thinks her business will be okay. She also believes that Whitmire will survive.
Marshall Martin, operator of the Piggly Wiggly, said, “I’m heartbroken about it. It’s going to affect us. Sixty five percent of our customers use EBT cards or WIC Vouchers and this closure may increase the number.” He stated emphatically, “I am disappointed in Renfro for the kind of ‘cut-and-dry’ letter they gave Whitmire.”
Marshall said that he had been asked repeatedly if the grocery store was going to close as a result of the plant closure, and he reassured the community that the store is currently making a profit for the warehouse and the store is profiting as well. “Therefore,” he said, “the pig ain’t going nowhere. We’re here for our community and our people.”
Martin also stated that he has had over 200 calls about jobs since the home office for Renfro announced it is going to close the plant in Whitmire.
Employees Brace for Impact
Even though Renfro has applied for assistance for the employees through the Trade Adjustment Act, which requires Federal approval, the employees still face many difficulties because jobs are scarce, budgets are being cut, and the economic outlook is not good. The SC Employment Security Commission stated that by January over 23,000 more people in South Carolina will be out of work. That alone is a frightening statistic, but it is even worse when you consider the high rate of unemployment in the surrounding counties (Union County has double digit unemployment).
As a result of the temporary layoffs and plant closings, many families are struggling to provide the essentials, and they do not know where the Christmas toys for their young children will come from. They are desperately searching for any ministry that provides for children at Christmas. The Jaycees are helping some through the Cheer Fund, but there are more children going without this year than there are adoptive churches and families. As one local business woman said, “Some people struggle to buy the basics, and they have to eat before they do the things they want to do.” Despite the outpouring of adoptive churches and families, there are still too many children who may go without this year at Christmas, and the community is doing all it can to help the families that need help with food, bills, and Christmas.
What makes things worse is that those needs will not end after Christmas. The unemployed workers will have to struggle for many months until they find a job or get some help from the federal government. Time alone will fix the problem, and it may take longer than ever this time because of the recession we are now in as a nation. The problem is not just local; it is going on all over the country.
Community, Officials
Join Forces
Renfro is doing all that it can to help the employees cope with the situation. They have already contacted the state representatives to encourage them to pass the Trade Act, which allows the federal government to offer assistance to employees whose jobs are affected by foreign imports. They are also bringing in representatives from the Employment Security Commission One Stop Centers to assist the employees with resume writing and interview skills, as well as other skills they may need to re-enter the workforce. Under the Trade Act, they would be given an additional 26 weeks of unemployment and access to training and education for up to two years. They would also have a portion of their Cobra Insurance paid for them.
Demetria Fernanders, Employment Security Commission Area Director, is working closely with the plant managers of Renfro to make the transition a little easier by sending representatives to the plant to conduct workshops with the employees and assist them anyway they can. Demetria said, “We are all aware of what is happening in our nation, but it is different when it affects our county. This closure will put upward pressure on the employment rate but the extent is unknown. Renfro is a viable manufacturing company for Newberry and surrounding counties. Newberry is facing major challenges because of its dependency on the manufacturing industry. Economic development is critical to the future of Newberry, and partnerships play a key role in local efforts to recruit new industry and expand job growth in the area. The Workforce Center is located at 833 Main Street in Newberry. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. The Workforce Center is here to provide assistance to help erase the burdens of Newberry’s unemployed citizens. I knew things were not looking well, but I never expected the plant to close.”
She added that it was likely that the unemployment rate may rise. As of October it was 8.7 percent.
Teresa Powers, Director of the Newberry County Economic Development Board, stands behind the efforts of the Employment Security Commission and the mayor, and she has been working diligently ever since Tuesday morning when the announcement was made on radio, television, and in the newspapers.
She said, “This is certainly a blow to Newberry County and the Whitmire Community. Renfro has been a valued employer for many years and our hearts go out to the employees and their families. The county will certainly draw on all available resources to help these people through their transition.”
On the day that the announcement was made, Mayor Tim Carroll asked Green, Vice President for Human Services at Renfro, if he could go ahead and contact the Newberry County Economic Development Board and get the property on the regional, state, and national registry for available businesses and industry. Green gave the okay, and the ball was rolling. From that point on, Teresa and Tim have worked to find a suitable replacement for the closing plant. They are optimistic, but realistic.
Mayor Carroll stated emphatically, “Unless the good Lord blesses us real well, we’re not going to get another plant in here in two or three months.”
Officials understand that finding a compatible company takes as long as six to nine months from the time the plant is placed on the lists until a suitable business or industry decides to bring their business to Whitmire. The town has to have the right infrastructure and the employees to run the plant. Whitmire has both. It is a prime candidate for new industry or business. It has many perks. Among them is the new underground utility support, the water and sewer lines, the Main Street beautification, the park, the cell towers, and the town’s proximity to major cities and nearby towns. Whitmire also has land available for building in case the vacant building may not meet the needs of the prospective business or industry. Mayor Carroll said, “We’re in a good location in the middle of nowhere but close to everything. We have three exits close to the interstate and good land. In the last fifteen years, a lot of infrastructure has been put into place in Whitmire.”
Mary Alice Arrowood, Tax Assessor for Newberry County, is also optimistic but cautious. She does not know what the final outcome of the closing will be because the plant pays “$155,000 in personal and property taxes until all the machines and equipment is removed from the building. Currently it is taxed at 10.5 percent, but in 2009 it will only be taxed at 6 percent. There will be a loss to the county, but right now it is hard to tell just how much and other cuts are being made within the county to balance the budget.”
Tammy Drew, an office worker with Renfro, and another long - term employee who wishes to remain anonymous have seen many workers come and go, but when the doors close on January 30th, they know that many lives will be changed. They feel for the people who depend solely on Renfro for their financial security. Both stated that they wished the best for the people who will lose their jobs.
The people who will lose their jobs are in shock; they wonder what will come next, and there are no answers yet. Most of the employees and citizens I spoke with say that the fate of the town depends on the grace of God, and they have lifted their prayers to Heaven, hoping that God will send a business or industry to our community and knowing that God will provide their needs.
Mayor Carroll said it best, “We’re just going to have to do what we got to do to make the town survive. One good thing about us is that we’re a nice town. We’re marketable. Ten years ago we weren’t, and we would not have made it then. All we can do is hope for the future. Until our federal government does something about foreign trade, it’s going to be a problem. I think that’s what’s put all our textiles out of business and put a lot of other manufacturing plants out of business. God will take care of the rest.”
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