Job cuts hit coastal N.C. hard
Workers eating lunch at Mister Frosty's Subs and Ice Cream in Brunswick County say they're dismayed at the state of the economy.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY – Bad economic news this week hit home in southeastern North Carolina as the area lost close to 1,000 jobs.
First, Georgia-Pacific announced it will be suspending plywood production in Columbus County, laying off about 400 workers. Then, U.S. Marine decided to suspend fiberglass boat operations in Brunswick County, laying off nearly 300 workers.
That's putting the squeeze on residents of the two coastal-area counties, and according to restaurant worker Bob Collins, it's also taking a major toll on customers at Mister Frosty's Subs and Ice Cream.
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"I have people coming in and asking me, can I front them a sandwich until Friday because they couldn't afford to buy a sandwich or put gas in their vehicle to get through the rest of the week," Collins said.
He said his family is also struggling. His brother is one of about 270 workers who will be out of work when U.S. Marine closes its Navassa boatyard.
Collins's sister-in-law Patricia said she was shocked that her family will be losing its main source of income and health insurance, especially since she's pregnant.
"I'm due in three months, which is around January, so by the time I have the baby is when he's going to be jobless," Collins said. "That's going to be really hard too."
And finding a new job right now may be challenging. In between their subs, some of the patrons of Frosty's complained that finding work is getting more and more difficult.
"I just had to move from Oak Island to follow a job," construction worker Cody Fairchild said. "I'm still working side jobs as much as I can to try to keep up with the economy."
With the number of people out of work piling up, Collins expects his restaurant will take a hit.
"You know, those families come out here and they eat at our restaurant," Collins said. "Now they're not going to be here. It's going to affect us big time."
Brunswick Corp., the parent company of U.S. Marine said it may reverse the closure of its Navassa boatyard if fiberglass boat sales pick up.
In Columbus County, Gov. Mike Easley sent a response team to help workers laid off by Georgia-Pacific.