Eight Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council workers — two from the Georgetown County office — have been terminated because of federal budget cuts.

The others impacted worked in Horry and Willaimsburg Counties.

Programs provided by the agency have also been reduced, Executive Director James Pasley confirmed Friday.

He said the job reductions were necessary because of the federal funding cutbacks associated with the 'fiscal cliff.'

The reduction meant cuts in the agency's Community Service Block Grant programs which provides assistance to those in need. The agency helps with things such as emergency rent payments for people facing eviction. It also helps with utility payments for those facing a cutoff.

Pasley said the agency, on average, helps about 100 people each month in Georgetown County at a monthly cost of about $80,000.

He said until lawmakers in Washington deal with the spending portion of the fiscal cliff situation, it is unknown if that amount will be reduced.

"Federal funds go along with the economy, so right now we just don't know what it will mean for us," he said, adding he hopes to know more in March.

Pasley said the agency is bracing because he has heard it's possible the cuts could be as high as 50 percent.

He said right now the cuts are not impacting the Head Start programs and the construction of the new Head Start facility in Choppee is continuing. It is still scheduled to open for students in August.