Wedding & Event Venue Near Georgetown, SC

GEORGETOWN — With the closure of International Paper's Georgetown mill just weeks away, developers are already eyeing the property — and possibly other nearby industrial land.

State and local leaders discussed the future of the property at a Dec. 5 workshop, as well the potential acquisition of the Georgetown port.

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"For me, the worst-case scenario is to wake up five years from now and that thing still be there and not producing a job or a tax,” said state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet, who along with state Rep. Lee Hewitt, R-Murrells Inlet, met with Georgetown County Council members at the workshop.

International Paper announced Oct. 31 that it would be closing its 87-year-old paper mill by the end of the year. The shutdown will eliminate nearly 700 IP jobs and affect some 200 contractors.

Goldfinch stressed the importance of either identifying the IP property as a brownfield site or converting it to something else as quickly as possible. Brownfields are former industrial, commercial or other areas with contamination concerns.

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There had been speculation that the mill would be purchased by another paper company, but IP officials have said they will not be selling to a competitor, Goldfinch said.

Three groups have already expressed interest in the property, according to Goldfinch. He wouldn't identify those parties, but he noted that one of them appears to be a serious contender for the purchase of the land.

IP spokesperson Amy Simpson said the company would not discuss potential buyers.

"We are continuing to review all options," she said.

Goldfinch said it's no surprise that developers are already coming forward. He said many people recognize Georgetown's potential.

And the buyers aren’t just interested in the IP land. They’re looking to purchase the port property and paper mill properties as a package deal, Goldfinch said.

Georgetown's port was acquired by the county in 2023. The mill land is owned by International Paper.

Jackie Broach, the county's public information officer, said Goldfinch's statement was the first she'd heard about buyers being interested in both properties.

County officials have been discussing potential uses for the port, which dates back to 1732 but last saw a cargo shipment in 2017.

County Administrator Angela Christian said officials believe the property will not be considered a Brownfield site based on soil samples and other studies of the property. That means it could be more quickly developed into something new.

"So, good news as far as we’re concerned," she said.

A group of students from Clemson University has been working with the county to determine best uses for the property moving forward, Christian said. The students will present their findings to the county on Jan. 22.

The county plans to complete a master plan for the port early next year once it receives an official letter from the S.C. Department of Environmental Services detailing what the property can be used for, Christian said.

Goldfinch said he’d liked to see mixed use development on both properties rather than more industrial sites. That would make the area more attractive to tourists, he said, but it would ultimately be more beneficial to locals.

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He emphasized that the area should take advantage of its scenic waterfront. He said there are many opportunities for economic growth in Georgetown, but they lie in highlighting the area’s scenic assets.

"I've gotten to a point where I believe that heavy industrial is not the future for downtown Georgetown," he said.

GEORGETOWN — Front Street will be glowing even brighter this holiday season.

After seeing the popularity of Conway’s Halloween transformation, Georgetown officials began working to make the city a Christmas destination.

"We have expanded our lights exponentially," said Al Joseph, Georgetown's Main Street director. "Three years ago, we lit 11 trees – this year we have 124."

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Joseph has been able to do more to enhance the city's holiday cheer, thanks to additional city funding his efforts. There are now 142 light poles wrapped with decorative garlands.

"The entire business district, every tree on the street, and we added two parks where we light trees," he said. "There’s going to be a lot more lights, a lot more trees and a lot more Christmas."

Georgetown resident Robbie Buice helped take the city's Christmas decor to the next level by building a large wooden sleigh and reindeer set. The sleigh is 8 feet long with two 9-foot reindeer that will reside in Joseph Rainey Park.

Visitors are welcome to sit in the sleigh and take photos with their families.

"It's just something to bring the holiday spirit to a town that really needs some," Buice said while taking a break from painting the reindeer and sleigh.

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Georgetown has been reeling since Oct. 31 when International Paper announced it would shut down its 87-year-old mill and cut nearly 700 jobs in the process.

The looming shutdown led to the county organizing job fairs and Front Street businesses launching a toy drive.

Apart from the efforts to help mill workers, throughout the Christmas season the town will host a number of festive events like the Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 6 and a Christmas parade the following day.

A number of sip-and-shop events will also be taking place throughout the month of December.

Doodlebugs Children’s Finery and Gifts owner Ginger Gray said she’s had her business on Front Street for 22 years and she’s seen how much visitors and residents alike love the lights.

"It just kind of makes you feel like you've got that hometown Christmas atmosphere," Gray said. "Last year it was just on this block, maybe two blocks. It was great they were able to extend it down Front Street."

Joseph is already making plans for next year. He hopes to be able to run lights on the Harborwalk behind all the buildings.

"I would like a tunnel of lights there," he said, adding that he hopes to have some electrical work done to install more outlets by the time Christmas 2025 rolls around.

Joseph also plans to decorate Constitution Park, which is currently under construction as part of the city’s recent stormwater project.

"That park should be redesigned before next Christmas," he said.

Marley Morris, owner of Cashlyn’s Boutique, said the new décor entices more people to shop locally.

"As a small-town business owner, celebrating holidays plays a huge role in bringing our customers in," Morris said. "The Christmas decorations around Georgetown have given such a warm Christmas spirit welcome to everyone who comes to town. We are so proud of our southern Christmas town and we hope people continue to shop small this season."