GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) - County and city leaders are working together for what's next one week after the International Paper mill announced the closure of the Georgetown mill.

In a news conference Thursday afternoon, officials said the shutdown is a corporate decision and did not involve the county, and that the announcement left them in shock.

The plant will close before the end of the year and leave hundreds out of work.

City and county leaders said they are working to guide those impacted straight into another job that will keep them in Georgetown.

Council Chairman Louis Morant said they are developing a support plan to ease this transition for workers.

Morant said agencies are already on site at the plant helping them with resume writing and interview preparation

"This will lead into a job fair on Nov. 21 and 22 at Howard Center, bringing together employers who are ready to offer new positions to those impacted," Morant said.

The deadline for employees to sign up for the job fair is on Nov. 15. Over 40 employers will be there.