Image by Flickr user John Edwards 2008Image by 20080928allendale.jpg Former presidential candidate John Edwards visited Allendale last year to highlight his focus on economically impoverished areas. [gmap markers=blue::33.00981511270531,-81.30638122558594 |zoom=7 |center=32.79651010951669,-80.6396484375 |width=220px |height=200px |control=Small |type=Map]

South Carolina's rural counties that span the region between the Lowcountry and Midlands are already well-known for being impoverished, but the nationwide economic downturn is hitting them, too. And The Post and Courier journeyed to Allendale and highlighted the area's growing unemployment.

It's incredible how simply being too far from an interstate can devastate business and tourism.

The Post and Courier's story is a good tale of the region's problems, even if it does seem like they play the sorrow fiddle a bit high at times. Go read it.

The paper also has a story talking about how Johnsonville (near Myrtle Beach) is also struggling with its own economic downturn concerns after one of its biggest employers, Wellman, has announced it's closing up shop.