GEORGETOWN — The Liberty Steel mill, once among Georgetown’s largest employers, will be demolished, according to a release from the city.

The announcement comes as local leaders debate the future of the state's third-oldest city, which lost hundreds of International Paper jobs late last year and saw the steel mill's steady decline before that.

Originally called Georgetown Steel, the mill helped diversify Georgetown's industrial base in the 1960s. For years, the plant made wire rod that was used in various products, from tires to bridge cables.

Several ownership and industry changes reduced the mill’s workforce before it was purchased by Liberty Steel in 2017.

Last year, Liberty cut 50 jobs at the site. The mill was idled four months later. The company also sold some of its equipment to a North Carolina firm that makes wire-reinforcing products.

The mill stopped receiving power from Santee Cooper because its electric furnace and rolling mill were not in use and it missed payments in November and December, resulting in past due balances of more than $334,000, court records show.

Santee Cooper is now seeking more than $7 million from the company and has terminated a five-year contract. It's also asked the court to enforce a section of its contract that requires Liberty to pay the utility the total of the minimum monthly bills that would have been collected during that period.

Jim Moore, a former steel mill manager, will be leading the demolition project with other officials.

Demolition materials will be transported off the property by rail and trucks, so residents can expect an increase in traffic, according to the city.

What’s next for the property?

The steel mill site is zoned as a redevelopment district. This type of district was designed to steer properties away from heavy industrial uses, according to City Councilman Jim Clements. When Liberty Steel bought the property, it asked the city to make changes to the ordinance to ensure it would be able to operate in the future.

The city recently proposed updates to the zoning ordinance that would remove the changes made by Liberty Steel. That would significantly limit the ability for new heavy industry to be built on the property, Clements said.

The planning commission plans to hold a workshop to discuss the proposed amendment.

Local officials have said they expect the mill property to be sold to an unidentified developer who wants to put a mixed-use project on the site that could include affordable housing, parks, entertainment spaces and waterfront access.

State Rep. Lee Hewitt, R-Murrells Inlet, and Mayor Carol Jayroe previously said they expect the sale to be finalized soon.