Oconee May Market Jobs To Toccoa Residents

By Dick Mangrum, WGOG Radio, Walhalla

A neighboring county may look to Stephens County for employees moving forward as the economy continues to improve.

Oconee County, South Carolina Economic Development Recruiter Richard Blackwell said he senses a return of vibrancy to the economy.

He said a case in point is the latest jobless rate in Oconee County, South Carolina which, at 3.8 percent, is below that which experts regard as full employment.

With relatively so few Oconee County residents who are out of work and who are looking for work, Blackwell said that Toccoa may be a place that could provide a pool of workers to fill Oconee County, South Carolina jobs.

“What about Toccoa?” asked Blackwell. “Toccoa had Caterpillar close last year. 200 people lost their job. Maybe they need to come over this direction. One thing is, as we have announcements, is start penetrating that market more because from Westminster to Toccoa is 15 to 20 minutes on a bad day maybe. We need those people to come over here.”

Blackwell also said that with the right skills, there are jobs available in Oconee County, South Carolina, such as those which are offered by transfer case maker Borg Warner.

“We need individuals with skill sets,” said Blackwell of Oconee Couny, referring to things like CNC and working with plastics.

He said they are working with the schools in and around Oconee County on that front.

Blackwell made his comments late last week when asked about what industry is saying about labor force availability.