Time to get to work bringing jobs, hope to Marion County

Marion County’s unemployment rate near the end of 2008 was hovering at 17 percent. It was the state’s second highest, behind Allendale County’s 17.8 percent rate; twice the state’s 8.4 percent; and out front of the Pee Dee’s average of 10.7 percent.

From Mohawk in Dillon to Johnsonville’s Wellman, other counties experiencing job losses surround Marion County. Then there are those businesses and companies within the county that have down sized, moved to a slower production schedules, or out right closed. We have had a few mentions of jobs on the horizon in the county, but our new businesses are closely related to outside market forces that make them react to other pressures and the realization of those jobs for Marion’s residents is coming more slowly than anyone has hoped.

The county’s newly elected officials, seasoned public servants, legislative delegation, new county economic director and business owners have their work cut out for them in 2009. It will not be enough to attract businesses and companies to the area, we will have to grow some of our own.

The transitioning away from an economy largely based on agriculture, textiles and manufacturing to service industries is costing us. Bright spots are offered when we look at the year-long success of LogistCare in Mullins, a call-center for dispatching medical transports. The increase use of the Internet and web-based programs means anyone anywhere can service anyone with a need someone else.

There’s no need to outsource American jobs to India, Australia or to the U.K., Marion County could successfully market itself as the home of call and service centers, meeting the “out-sourced” needs of accounting firms, computer businesses and others. Creative services for other industries can be created right here.

This new year brings renewed hope and vision to a county that has been fighting high unemployment since the county’s largest manufacturing pulled up stakes and fled to Mexico in the 1990s. Many believe putting all the county’s employment eggs in one basket is a mistake and that bringing in more businesses with staffing needs of around 50-100 employees would build a better, broader based local economy.

Again, we hope the county officials learn from the past when planning for the future. There is much local talent to be tapped, with the right underlying capital. Let’s hope the New Year is the beginning of better days for Marion County residents looking for jobs.

I hope all officials resolve to be on the lookout for industries, businesses and companies seeking a great work force ready and able to move into this next phase of global economies. And let’s learn from the most recent fiasco that was built in a neighboring county: Just because you build it, that does not mean they’ll come.

It still has to be the right product, at the right time, at the right cost, or all the amount of hype in the world won’t save you from the auction block. Best wishes to us all for a prosperous New Year …