Oct. 2--In the past year, five new businesses have decided to come to Georgetown County, investing a total of $37 million in land, building and equipment and creating 162 jobs, according to Georgetown County's Economic Development office.

"With all you read on the news and in the media, we thought it was good to let people know we have had some successes this year," said Director Wayne Gregory, who released the figures. "It's not all doom and gloom. People do want to come here. We just want to give people hope that things will get better and we are doing what we can to bring jobs here. I know people have lost jobs, but some have been created."

The county and city of Georgetown have been trying to recover after ArcelorMittal decided to close down its steel mill indefinitely July 10 due to a lack of orders, laying off more than 200 workers.

With a business appreciation golf outing planned for Monday at DeBordieu, Gregory said it was a good time to make sure county residents and companies are aware of what is being done to boost the county economy.

The golf outing is paid for and hosted by the Georgetown County Economic Alliance, a private group.

Georgetown County's unemployment rate was 12.1 percent in August, according to the latest figures released from the S.C. Employment Security Commission. Last year's August rate was 7.6 percent.

The rate is higher than the national average of 11.5 percent, and Horry County's 10.5 percent rate.

As of August, there were 3,692 people unemployed in Georgetown County, according to the commission.

Gregory noted that there are signs of hope.

In addition to the five new businesses, the county has eight business prospects, Gregory said.

In January, MetalTech Systems, which makes conveyors for recycling plants in Andrews, announced plans to invest $4 million and create 60 jobs.

Renewed World Energies, which produces biodiesel by extracting oil from algae, announced plans in March to invest $30 million and create 60 jobs.

Also in March, Coast Apparel said it would invest $500,000 and create 12 new jobs. The Pawleys Island company makes high-end polo shirts.

In May, Trinity Iron Works committed to making a $500,000 capital investment and creating 15 jobs.

The most recent business to move to the county is Carolina-Pacific, a Charleston-based company. The deal with the wood briquette manufacturer is expected to move 60,000 tons of cargo through the port of Georgetown, generating about $1 million in revenue for the ports authority and about 10 to 12 jobs in the first year with potential for more growth.