That 's a devastating number , given that Mitchell County 's 2000 Census population was only 15,687 . Spruce Pine , N.C. , has lost 2,000 jobs in a county of about 15,600 residents . Some laid-off workers have retrained , only to lose their jobs again . Closed factory that employed thousands has become a food bank . Comment:
Spruce Pine , N.C. , has lost 2,000 jobs in a county of about 15,600 residents . Some laid-off workers have retrained , only to lose their jobs again . Closed factory that employed thousands has become a food bank . Comment: