Orangeburg (WLTX) -- The ground breaking for the new Boeing plant in North Charleston is making surrounding communities hopeful, including in Orangeburg where the unemployment rate is at 17.8 percent.
Orangeburg county has the highest unemployment rate in the Midlands.
"This is a day of transformation, let it be said that South Carolina's Lowcountry is now in the major leagues of producing the best airplanes in the world," said Senator Lindsey Graham.
A large number of lawmakers gathered at the ground breaking, proud that they had crossed party lines to create tax incentives, drawing the Boeing plant to South Carolina.
"This larger notion of being bold, of taking big steps, and then on occasion taking no steps at all and literally flying to one's dreams," said Governor Mark Sanford. "In this case, the Boeing bet paid off, and it's going to pay off mightily for people in South Carolina."
Seventy miles from the future plant, in Orangeburg, the East End Barber Shop is a buzz about the creation of nearly 4,000 jobs. At 17.8 percent, the county of Orangeburg has the highest unemployment rate in the Midlands.
"I would say if I was to cut a hundred people hair a day, maybe forty of them without work," said Calvin Gray.
He says, some customers are buying their own clippers these days.
"I'm extremely happy about the Boeing plant opening up here because the job increase will also help my job increase," he said.
"A lot of my friends need job," said Alex Radding, also an employee at the East End.
Terrell Spencer, another shop employee said the jobless rate has also hit close to home for him. "Including my family members, most of my family members," he said.
They expect many will be happy to drive the hour-plus to North Charleston if they can get a job with Boeing.
"If the money is right, they will," said Spencer.
Gray said, "Driving back and forth to Charleston, that would be an hour ride, I would do it every day. Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're going to be paying good money down there."
Radding said, "Lifting up a lot of spirits out here too you know."
"It's time for a change," said Spencer.
The employees at the East End say there have been many robberies in their homes, and crime has increased as businesses have gone vacant over the last year. They are hopeful the crime will decrease and locals find jobs at the new Boeing plant.
11/20/2009 11:19:05 PM
