Candidates see two economies

COLUMBIA - In places like Graniteville, "economic development" isn't a political catchphrase.

It's money in the bank, food on the table. It's peace of mind. Or, for some, the lack thereof.

The atmosphere in Graniteville, where 1,600-plus people lost their jobs this summer when Avondale Mills shut down, is lonely, said resident Lula Belle Herrin, whose husband worked at the mill for 40 years before retiring six years ago.

"I think some of them (the mill workers) kind of are lost," Mrs. Herrin said. "They don't know what to do, truly. I think they're going to wait and see."

Two men - Democratic state Sen. Tommy Moore and Republican incumbent Gov. Mark Sanford - hope to be part of the solution as South Carolina's next governor.

Mr. Sanford said his second term would be an extension of the values he's promoted in the first: providing incentives for business growth, such as lowering the marginal income tax rate, and using the state's "competitive advantage" in tourism and other areas to bring in new jobs.

Jobs are coming back to Graniteville.

Eighty-two jobs were restored Sept. 6 when Avondale Mills' former Woodhead plant re-opened under a new name, Graniteville Specialty Fabrics.

The sale of the Townsend Plant to a North Carolina company in July saved an additional 250 jobs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 123,000 more people working in South Carolina this summer than there were when Mr. Sanford took office in January 2003.

"I think the numbers speak for themselves," Mr. Sanford said.

Mr. Moore agrees that numbers speak volumes, but he's looking at different ones.

South Carolina's unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in August, among the highest in the country and well above the national average of 4.7 percent.

Nine of the state's 46 counties have double-digit unemployment rates. Though new jobs are being created, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there also are 15,000 more unemployed people in South Carolina now than in January 2003.

That's proof, Mr. Moore said, that it's time for new leadership.

Reach Kirsten Singleton at (803) 414-6611 or kirsten.singleton@morris.com.