With Unemployment Rates at All-Time Lows, Region’s Economy Continues to Grow

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Staff Reports

Record low unemployment is being reported in South Carolina’s northeastern counties as the region’s economy strengthened again in 2019.

According to the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) – the nonprofit regional economic development group serving the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions – the region had $572 million in new investment in 2019, as well as the creation of 1,100 new jobs. This most recent economic growth comes on the heels of regional unemployment numbers from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) hitting an all-time low for the area of 2.1 percent in September 2019.

“We have always hoped to reach a level where unemployment was this low, but I don’t think even in our wildest dreams we believed we would actually get here,” said Yancey McGill, a former S.C. lieutenant governor and NESA executive committee chairman.

While the region’s unemployment ticked up slightly at the close of the year, finishing at 2.5 percent in November according to BLS, McGill said 2019 was one of the best years for development since NESA was founded in 2001.

The NESA region, which includes Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Georgetown, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties, had some of the state’s highest unemployment rates over the past decade and at the height of the recession.

“Looking back, it’s hard to believe we had an unemployment rate of almost 16 percent just a few short years ago,” McGill said.

The sharp decline in unemployment has resulted in higher wages for area residents. With an ever tightening labor pool, companies have begun increasing wages to recruit and retain skilled workers. The result is an increase in the average annual wages of 3.2 percent in 2019, outperforming the state’s wage growth rate of 2.9 percent.

The region has reported growth in other areas as well. The real gross regional product – the value of all final goods and services produced in the region – has increased 2.8 percent annually over the past six years, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. That’s higher than the national growth rate of 2.4 percent.

In 2019, the region had 23 companies announce either expansions (12) or new locations (11).

“There were so many exciting announcements in 2019,” McGill said. “We need to take a moment and congratulate and commend each of these companies for making investments in our communities. We also need to thank everyone who put in the hard work behind the scenes including the counties and individual economic developers who were involved in making these announcements possible.”

Looking forward, McGill said 2020 is a little more difficult to forecast.

“It is an election year, which typically means slower activity as companies are more willing to wait and see what happens before they make any large scale decisions,” he said. “Unemployment being at record lows is an excellent thing, but it also leads to its own list of potential problems and workforce availability questions have become inevitable.”

Despite these cautious expectations, the region has already had four new announcements in 2020. Huber Engineered Woods LLC, Pee Dee Extractors, LLC, Georgia-Pacific, and GreenCore Materials have already announced plans to invest a combined $187.9 million, creating 129 new jobs in the process.

McGill said he is excited interest in the region continues to grow and is looking forward to making 2020 another great year for the region.

COUNTY BY COUNTY UPDATES AND OUTLOOKS

Chesterfield County

Population: 45,754

Unemployment Rate: 2.1% (↓ 0.8 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $37,464

GDP: $1,596,558,000

2019 announcement totals: 4

2019 in review: “Even though it appeared things were slow, we stayed very busy in 2019,” Chesterfield County Economic Development Executive Director Kim Burch said. “We keep trying to stay ahead of the game to be prepared for potential development.

2020 expectations: “We hope that we continue to grow and develop product, which we are working on now.”

Darlington County

Population: 66,802

Unemployment rate: 2.6% (↓ 0.9 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $48,011

GDP: $2,578,701,000

2019 announcement totals: 2

2019 in review: “Darlington County had two announcements in 2019 with a total investment of $216 million. Combined with the $340 million invested in 2018, Darlington County announced

more investment in the last two years than in the previous ten years combined,” Darlington County Economic Development Executive Director Frank Willis said. “These expansions show the commitment of local industry to the county and Darlington County’s commitment to providing a good business climate for companies to invest over time.”

2020 expectations: “Darlington County expects several more expansions of existing industry during 2020, including the completion of some projects that have been on-going for quite some time.”

Dillon County

Population: 30,599

Unemployment rate: 3.1% (↓ 1.2 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $33,011

GDP: $854,575,000

2019 announcement totals: 2

2019 in review: “Dillon County had a great year for 2019. We had approximately $45 million in new investment and 150 new jobs announced,” Dillon County Economic Development Executive Director Clay Young said. “We also are conducting two studies through grants from EDA to develop a Master Plan for the Inland Port Dillon and, a county wide water and wastewater needs assessment. In 2019 our unemployment rate decreased, and our investment county-wide increased. We should see both of these continue in 2020.”

2020 expectations: “With the announcement in January, of Huber Engineered Wood, LLC, investment of $30 million and the creation of 30 new jobs, 2020 is already turning out to be one our best years on record. We are working with Equus (Capital Partners, Ltd.) and the Marlboro Development Team to build two spec buildings near Inland Port Dillon. The two spec buildings are 373,100 sq. foot (Equus) and 250,000 sq. foot (Marlboro Development Team). The county is also working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to four-lane Highway 34 from Long Street to Harllees Bridge Road at Exit 190 on I-95.”

Florence County

Population: 138,159

Unemployment Rate: 2.2% (↓ 1.0 points YOY)

Average Annual Wages: $39,475

GDP: $7,556,486,000

2019 Announcement Totals: 3

2019 In Review: “2019 was a year of continued growth for Florence County for both new industry and existing industry,” Florence County Economic Development Executive Director Joe King said. “Take McCall Farms, for example – the family-owned canning operation announced a $50 million investment that will create 140 new jobs in October 2019. Existing industry is the lifeblood of any community, and when we have existing industry expansions, that’s a sign of a healthy business climate.”

2020 Expectations: “We anticipate 2020 to mirror 2019, and expect Florence County to have both new industry announcements and existing industry expansions throughout the year. Florence County is taking an active role in enhancing the product within the county. To continue to promote growth and attract industry to the county, we must have sites and speculative buildings to compete for capital investment and jobs. Continuing to increase the shovel-ready product within the county is at the forefront of our initiatives for the coming year.”

Georgetown County

Population: 62,249

Unemployment rate: 2.7% (↓ 1.2 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $41,294

GDP: $2,498,440,000

2019 announcement totals: 0

2019 in review: “2019 was the most active year in the last decade for Georgetown County,” Georgetown County Economic Development Executive Director Brian Tucker said. “Our pipeline has never been better, and I expect 2020 to be a great year.”

2020 expectations: “Over the last five years we have focused extensively on product development and building awareness of Georgetown County around the state and beyond. We had our first announcement of the year with GreenCore Materials in late January and expect several others. These projects take a long time to develop and we hope to see the fruits of our labor in 2020.”

Horry County

Population: 344,147

Unemployment rate: 2.5% (↓ 1.3 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $34,204

GDP: $12,734,507,000

2019 announcement totals: 4

2019 in review: “I feel like 2019 was a year that made many of the past years worthwhile,” Horry County Economic Development Executive Director Sandy Davis said. “Relationships that we have built at tradeshows and marketing missions finally seem to be coming to fruition. The MBREDC is celebrating the success of 2019 and hope to continue the growth.”

2020 expectations: “2020 is off to a great start. Some of the projects that began in 2019 will be announced. Due to it being an election year, I think the influx of new projects will be less than what we saw last year.”

Marion County

Population: 31,039

Unemployment rate: 3.1% (↓ 1.8 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $31,580

GDP: $603,140,000

2019 announcement totals: 5

2019 in review: “The NESA region enjoyed tremendous success in 2019 and Marion County had a banner year with 5 announcements,” Marion County Economic Development Executive Director Dr. Julie Norman said. “I think the region is getting attention because of our transportation infrastructure (highways, Inland Port Dillon), proximity to major markets, and available sites and buildings, but it is the way the counties and NESA work as a team that brings a project to fruition.”

2020 expectations: “I hope the momentum continues and the NESA region is recognized as an ideal place to do business. Marion County intends to fill our newly constructed speculative building and start construction on another in 2020.”

Marlboro County

Population: 26,398

Unemployment rate: 3.4% (↓ 0.9 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $42,121

GDP: $822,551,000

2019 announcement totals: 3

2019 in review: “For Marlboro County, 2019 was a great year with the addition of 100+ jobs resulting from the Arris Manufacturing project,” Marlboro County Administrator Ron Munnerlyn said.

2020 expectations: “We expect 2020 to show continued job growth with Arris as well as significant progress with the large Delta project. The Delta project is the redevelopment of a 300 acre industrial “city”, formerly the site of a large textile facility. Marlboro County will take the lead on a number of initiatives resulting from our recent strategic planning update. These include infrastructure such as roads and broadband internet access to health care and tourism.”

Williamsburg County

Population: 30,606

Unemployment rate: 3.4% (↓ 1.2 points YOY)

Average annual wages: $37,699

GDP: $833,908,000

2019 announcement totals: 0

2019 in review: “2019 was an interesting year,” Williamsburg County Economic Development Executive Director Gilleon Frieson said. “We experienced record unemployment, and witnessed various economic challenges brought on by tariffs and trade policy.”

2020 expectations: “My expectations for 2020 are to have multiple announcements in NESA’s and Department of Commerce’s newsletter throughout the year regarding completed projects in Williamsburg County; enhance the workforce development initiatives through partnerships with Williamsburg County School District, Williamsburg Technical College, and the local Workforce Development Board; and inspire small businesses to achieve their full potential.”

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Chamber Teamed Up with SBA to Host a Women-Owned Business Capital and Contracting Workshop

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The Chamber’s PRISM program partnered with the US Small Business Admistration (SBA) for a Capital and Contracting workshop for Women Owned Businesses on Thursday, February 13.
Representatives from the SBA provided leaders and woman-owned businesses with the information they need to know about how to secure contracts to grow their respective business. The workshop also covered access to capital and financing options, both traditional and alternative.

Florence Chamber Business After Hours Held at SpringHill Suites

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by Ardie Arvidson

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held a Business After Hours at SpringHill Suites by Marriott on Hospitality Blvd. on Thursday evening. The event was hosted by Raines Hospitality. Chamber members had the opportunity to network and socialize during the appointed hours. About 130 guests attended the event.

Entertainment was provided by the duo Prettier Than Matt.

It was Jackie Olsen and Shana Sullivan’s first time attending. They work with the Pee Dee Coalition and said they came for the networking opportunity.

Don and Robin Ashwood were visiting with House of Hope and attended the event with their friend Julie Maxham, director of donor development. Don won the prize for the evening.

Clarke and Company Receive Chamber’s Business of the Quarter Award

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Congratulations to the Florence Chamber and City of Florence’s Business of the Quarter, Clarke and Company, an employee benefits agency located in Downtown Florence.

We were honored to recognize Clarke and Company Monday during a meeting of Florence City Council. Derek Hemmingsan accepted the award and resolution in behalf of Clarke and Company.

Business of the Quarter is a unique partnership of the City of Florence and the Chamber to recognize local businesses for contributions to community development, growth and civic engagement.

Phillip Guyton Wins “Take A Shot” Photo Contest

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce was honored to award Phillip Guyton,winner of the “Take A Shot” photo contest,a $100.00 check today. Phillip submitted captivating and lively photos that truly captured Florence. His photos will be showcased on the cover of the 2020-2021 Newcomer’s Guide that will be published in July 2020. Congratulations Phillip and thank you for your involvement.

We thank all of our participants and will be using their submissions throughout the Newcomer’s Guide.

American Cancer Society Joins Florence Chamber

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by Ardie Arvidson

The American Cancer Society celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Monday at the chamber office.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with chamber ambassadors and three members of the American Cancer Society: Chinel Boateng, Senior Community Development Manager for five counties, including Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Marlboro and Marion counties; Sundi Herring, Senior Manager Community Development/Southeast region/North Charleston; and Becky Eaddy, Program Manager, mission delivery/ Southeast region/Myrtle Beach.

The mission of the American Cancer Society is “to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer.”

“Having cancer is hard,” Boateng said. “Finding help shouldn’t be.”

The American Cancer Society sponsors Relay for Life. The 26th Florence County Relay for Life will be from 1 to 10 p.m. on April 25 at Freedom Florence.

“Every survivor in Florence County is invited to participate,” Boateng said.

It is also for caregivers and family and friends. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration, she said.

The Florence Relay was started in 1994. One of the originators was Kaye Floyd-Parris.

Boateng said she joined the chamber after discussing the benefits to the American Cancer Society with Jay Lavrinc, director of membership relations with the chamber.

She said the exposure in the community and getting information about the ACS out to chamber members will benefit them.

Boateng said she doesn’t have an advertising budget, and having that outreach will be beneficial to the organization.

“This will mean more folks to share the word,” she said.

Boateng doesn’t have an office in Florence. She works from her home at the beach.

Boateng started as a volunteer and team captain with Relay for Life. She said her mother, father and a sister died of cancer, and she has two brothers who are prostate cancer survivors.

When people asked her why she volunteered before becoming an ACS employee, she said, “The life I fight for could very well be my own.”

Herring has worked for ACS for 16 years.

“I think it is important to let folks know that we appreciate all the investment they has put into the American Cancer Society,” she said.

She works closely with the Hope Lodge in Charleston. She said it was the first one of its kind. There are now 33 across the country. These are places for cancer patients and family to stay free of charge while taking treatment.

“It was started in 1970,” Herring said. “This is its 50th year.”

She said it is completely free. The facility in Charleston has 18 rooms.

Eaddy said ACS needs volunteers, especially with the Road to Recovery program. Through this program the ACS provides free rides to cancer treatments.

“This is one of the biggest requests when people reach out to the American Cancer Society,” she said.

There is some good news about cancer.

There has been a 29 percent decline in the cancer death rate from 1991 to 2017, Herring said.

She said it is due to the investment of the communities and their support.

The largest single-year drop occurred from 2016-2017 at 2.2 percent, she said.

Every month except August and December, Boateng said, brings awareness to a specific cancer. There is a “colors of cancer” calendar with some months bringing awareness to more than one type of cancer. She said most people are aware of the “pink” for breast cancer awareness, but there are others that receive less exposure but are no less important.

Through their membership in the chamber of commerce, Boateng hopes to make more people aware of cancer. She said so many lives can be saved through early detection and screenings.

To read the full story on SC Now, click here.

Ribbon Cutting with Florence Chamber Held at Clarion Inn and Suites

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by Ardie Arvidson

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Clarion Inn and Suites at 1829 W. Lucas St. in Florence on Wednesday, marking its new chamber membership. Chamber ambassadors joined the staff at Clarion for the celebration.

The hotel was purchased in August 2018 by Gary M. Hodgins of Myrtle Beach, president, and his partner, Stephen Lam of New Jersey.

On Oct. 31, the hotel became a Clarion Inn and Suites. It was most recently a Ramada Inn.

The 224-room hotel features three conference rooms with a 300-person capacity when opened up as one; it also has a fitness center, courtyard with pool, bar and restaurant.

There are about 30 staff members. Tameka Ham is the assistant general manager.

The hotel is in the process of a two-phase renovation project. Phase I, which has been completed, included an upgrade to the lobby, restaurant, bar area, pool, fitness center, guest laundry facilities and west-wing guest rooms. Seventy-two rooms have been renovated.

Phase II, which is projected to be completed at the end of 2020, includes upgrade of all guest rooms, completion of 51 suites, refinishing of the parking lot and courtyard landscape update.

Hodgins said owning a hotel was on his “bucket list” of things to do. He said he was a chief financial officer in hotels for about 40 years. He is a Vietnam veteran. His partner, a Vietnamese, is a CPA. Hodges said they met when his partner worked for an outside audit firm for hotels he worked for.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Florence Chamber Breakfast to Focus on Florence County

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by Matthew Christian

Florence County will be the focus of the 2020 Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast.

Newly elected Florence County Council Chairman Willard Dorriety will be keynote speaker at the event. Dorriety was elected chairman of the council in January.

The hour-long program will feature updates on current and upcoming Florence County projects and programs, including progress in economic development, infrastructure enhancement and other critical efforts to grow the county.

“As always, we are expecting a very large crowd of business and community leaders to attend,” said chamber President Michael Miller. “This program has been popular because it offers timely and insightful updates on a broad array of important issues for Florence County businesses and residents.”

The mission of the Florence Chamber is to “promote and enhance a favorable business climate and improve the quality of life to make Florence the best community in which to live and operate a business.”

The breakfast is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, at the Florence Center. Doors will open for the breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and the program will start around 7:50 a.m.

The breakfast is open to the public. All those attending must register prior to the event. Room seating is limited.

Tickets are $20 each and tables are also available by calling the chamber offices at 843-665-0515 or by going to flochamber.com.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Primary Learning Center Joins Greater Florence Chamber

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by Ardie Arvidson

Primary Learning Center of Florence, located at 600-A Pamplico Highway, recently joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. A ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday with chamber ambassadors to celebrate.

Brittney Jefferson, owner/director, cut the ribbon.

Primary Learning Center is an untraditional day-care-type facility for children. It offers short-term, after-school tutoring for children up to 12 years of age.

Jefferson said the center has flexible hours.

“It is our flexibility that sets us apart,” she said.

Jefferson said the center operates two shifts and normally closes at 8 p.m. Although, she said, it has stayed up to midnight with a child. She said the center is there for parents who want a date night, who have to work late or attend night meetings.

Children who come after school receive a snack and are offered supper. The center sees that children do their homework, too.

“Our mission is to cater to the working mom, the modern-day mom, even if she is a stay-at-home mom,” Jefferson said.

She said stay-at-home mothers need time to themselves, too.

She has a staff of six.

Jefferson started out after college working in education at Brockington Elementary School in Timmonsville. She was a psychology major. She enjoyed working with children and decided to start her own center for taking care of children.

The center opened in October and normally has about 30 children on any given day with a capacity to care for 50 children.

For the full article on SC Now, click here.

Tim Scott Calls for Objective Approach to Senate Impeachment Trial

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by Matthew Christian

Sen. Tim Scott on Friday called for civility and a fact-based approach to the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

Scott was commenting during a meet-and-greet event in Florence.

Scott spoke for over 40 minutes at the meeting, addressing the impeachment trial at the very beginning before taking questions and in response to the last question asked.

He said he was able to appear in Florence due to a planned delay in the impeachment trial. The Senate elected to begin the trial next Tuesday rather than on Friday because of Martin Luther King Day on Monday.

“It worked out where I had more time to come back home,” Scott said. “Anytime you have chance to come back home, you should say, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’”

Scott also said that more time spent in Washington makes him want to kiss the ground in South Carolina.

He said he was scheduled to speak at a school in Myrtle Beach on Friday, and things worked out for him to appear in Florence as well.

Scott was also scheduled to visit Vital Aging in Kingstree after the Florence stop.

At the end of the question-and-answer session, Scott was asked if the impeachment was a hoax.

“Is impeachment a hoax?” Scott asked. “I’m not sure of the definition of a hoax, but what I will tell you over the next two to four weeks, we will find out lots of information about the fact patterns that either do exist or don’t exist.”

He said his theory was a very simple one: Look for the truth and put aside all partisanship. He called for an objective process not littered with personal agendas to decide the fate of not only Trump but of the greatest democracy the world has ever seen.

“If we will take that approach to the next four weeks, I think that we will come up with a pretty healthy position and one that can be articulated and supported by facts,” Scott said. “If you can’t do that, then you’re in the wrong job.”

One of the more important challenges America faces, Scott said, is the challenge of civility and fairness.

He said he had recently appeared on a TV show where he was asked how bad things are in America in terms of race relations.

“I thought to myself, ‘How long have you been alive? Like 12 days?’” Scott said.

He said he was born in the heart of Dixie, the state of South Carolina. Scott added that he had run against Strom Thurmond’s son in the place where the Civil War started — Fort Sumter guards Charleston Harbor — and won election to the House of Representatives.

“You’re going to tell me nothing has changed in 50 years?” Scott continued. “Are you smoking crack? I mean, seriously, I don’t understand how someone could have such audacious, salacious, inconsistent with reality comments. That frustrates the dickens out of me.”

He was appointed to the Senate on Dec. 17, 2012, by Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the seat of the retiring Jim DeMint. Scott was elected to finish the remainder of DeMint’s term in 2014 and elected for a full term in 2016.

Scott indicated that he plans to run again in 2022 but probably will not run after that. He said he plans to return to private business.

Prior to being appointed to the Senate, Scott was the representative for South Carolina’s Congressional District 1, which included most of the coast of the state. He was elected to the seat in 2010 over the son of Strom Thurmond, a longtime senator from South Carolina.

Scott was re-elected in 2012.

He ran for and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2008, serving until his election to Congress.

Prior to the South Carolina House of Representatives, Scott was chairman of the Charleston County Council in 2007-2008.

Scott was elected to the Charleston County Council in a 1995 special election and reelected in 2004.

Scott was born and raised in North Charleston, graduating from R.B. Stall — he said “Go Warriors” during his speech — and Charleston Southern University with a degree in political science.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.