‘Been in the family’: Former Georgetown paper mill workers, relatives react to planned biomass project taking over space

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WBTW) — Decatur Beckman spent 28 years at Georgetown’s International Paper plant, and knew it was time to retire once he learned last December that the site was shutting down after a 90-year run.

“I’m a lucky one. I’m not like some of the younger people that got caught off-guard and had to lose their job and make changes,” he said. “Those are the guys and girls that I think about today.”

The mill’s sudden closure meant Georgetown County’s largest employer was gone — cutting almost 700 jobs with it. Although the property is set for new life as a biomass facility, Beckman and others wonder if it will have the same community ties as its predecessor.

A Georgetown native, Beckman said many of his relatives also worked at the mill, which offered good pay and steady work.

Over the years, Beckman said, he watched as the plant struggled to keep up with evolving technology that changed the industry. Capital investments were also lagging behind.

“The business had changed, and so it come time for this mill and other mills like us to shut down,” he said. “We were really supplementing this (site) because of our fluff pulp business, which makes diapers and toilet paper and stuff. And most of that is exported.”

Melanie Daniels’ family has lived in the Georgetown area for more than 200 years. She said it’s sad not seeing the mill’s familiar smoke plumes or lumber trucks rolling in.

Her uncle helped construct it and her father worked as an electrician. Both have since died.

“My mother would drive to mill around 4 p.m. every day, and she’d already had me bathed. And then my little pajamas. And I must be three or for years old, and I can still remember going to pick up daddy,” she said. “So it’s kind of been in the family. It’s been our ham and bacon and grits, whatever you want to call it.”

Melanie’s husband Chip hopes the next venture brings opportunities for those affected by the paper mill’s closure — many are still struggling without an income, he added.

“We’re hoping and praying every night that someone comes in and takes over. That would be a good thing for the community,” he said. “We need employment.”

Beckman agrees.

“We became family. I mean, everybody looked out for everybody. It is truly missed in this town,” he said. “And I hope going forward, whatever goes into that facility, they can find a way to create jobs.”

News13 reached out to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Thompson Contruction Group for more information on future plans for the property.