Allendale took first, harder hit

ALLENDALE, S.C. --- On most days, freight trains rumble past vacant storefronts in the center of town, seldom ever stopping anymore. The rail spurs leading to a shuttered grain elevator are brown with rust, the buildings closed off by a chain-link fence.

Along nearby U.S. Highway 301, the gutted remains of a half-dozen motels recall the days four decades ago when 17 million motorists passed through each year on their way to Florida. That ended when Interstate 95 opened to the east, bypassing Allendale altogether.

Allendale has been suffering for a long time, but now the recession has worsened its woes, and the town -- with a 23.4 percent unemployment rate -- stands as perhaps the most distressed spot in one of the most distressed states in America.

South Carolina's jobless rate is 10.4 percent, second only to Michigan's 11.6 percent.

"We here in Allendale County -- and the four or five counties around -- we're used to it to a certain extent," said Carl Gooding, a county councilman. "Some of the other people in the world and in the metropolitan areas of this state are lately finding out there is such a thing as a recession and having to really go out and scramble."

Unemployment rose in Allendale when a nearby textile plant closed 15 months ago, throwing hundreds out of work. Two other plants in neighboring Barnwell County are to close by June.

Allendale County, population 10,400, has lost about 1,300 people since 1990, and some say it is getting tougher to stay.

Billy Hill, 33, drives several hours to Columbia or Aiken when nursing jobs become available.

"I know I'll have to leave Allendale," he said. "You almost don't have a choice. There isn't much around here. But Allendale isn't the only county that is facing this."

Hermeione Flowers said her family --three children, including a son in college -- has cut back on cell phone service and eating out since she lost her state job. Her husband is still drawing a paycheck from a lumber mill.

"Thank God he's still working and hasn't heard anything about any layoffs, but you just have to trust in the Lord," said Mrs. Flowers, who added that she is giving more time to her church. "I think this is a test of our faith and people need to learn to look to God and not to things."