McCall Farms to invest $35 million in ‘Project Veg 3’ to create 150 new jobs

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. –McCall Farms will invest $35 million in another expansion, called “Project Veg 3,” that will create 150 new jobs in Florence County.

On Thursday, the Florence County Council moved forward with a fee-in-lieu-of tax agreement for the code-named project, which is a common move by the county that allows for a lower tax rate for these types of economic development projects.

County officials would not name McCall Farms at the investor, but the Morning News was able to confirm the information through multiple outside sources.

Council Chairman Kent Caudle said this type of progress should be no surprise to the people of Florence County.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “Expansion projects like this speak volumes to the pro-business environment we have in Florence County. We’re always willing to work with our companies and we have open arms for companies who want to invest.”

The ordinance includes a $250,000 economic development grant to the company for this project.

Last year, McCall Farms announced a $23 million expansion that will ultimately create 150 new jobs as well.

County documents indicate this expansion would be a $35 million investment that would result in 150 new, full-time jobs by 2020. That expansion entails three new facilities and a ramp-up in production by 2019.

Last month McCall Farms announced its acquisition of Sager Creek Vegetable Company, a division of the San Francisco-based Del Monte Foods Inc. Popular Sager Creek brands include Allens, Veg-all, Popeye, Princella, Freshlike and Trappey’s.

No other details about “Project Veg 3” were made available to the Morning News, and representatives with McCall Farms were not available for comment.

The council’s approval of the tax-agreement ordinance on Thursday came on the second reading; it will go to a third vote at next month’s council meeting.

The council unanimously moved forward with an ordinance that would allow funding for a $15 million parking garage.

If fully approved next month, the measure would refinance debt on an existing facility and use that refinanced bond to build a parking garage adjacent to the county complex on Irby Street.

The council also approved on second reading an ordinance to amend the second penny sales tax to “address allocation of additional revenues” of the tax.

This amendment would allow the county to spend additional revenues on “like” projects that were not laid out in the original tax ordinance.

Another code-named economic development project – Project Presto – was introduced by the council. No details were provided about this forthcoming project.

SCNow Web Article – McCall Farms to invest $35 million in ‘Project Veg 3’ to create 150 new jobs 

Annual Membership Luncheon

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You might want to make plans to attend the Greater Florence Chamber’s Annual Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, November 15th at the Florence Civic Center.

This years speaker will be Lynn Good, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Duke Energy – one of America’s largest electric power companies.

Fortune magazine lists Lynn Good one of the “Most Powerful Women in Business” and Forbes magazine calls her one of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.”

If you want to know more about our future energy resources and hear a powerful business message, find a way to attend this event. The program starts at noon.

Click here to purchase tickets for this event https://www.flochamber.com/event/annual-membership-luncheon/ or call 843-665-0515.

Wings, chili draw competitors to downtown Florence

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By: Rebecca Cross, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Smoky smells wafted through downtown Florence on Friday evening as cooking teams participated in the fourth annual Kickin’ Chicken Wings and Chili Festival.

The festival is held by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Miller, Greater Florence Chamber president, said the festival is a fun, different downtown event. The festival brings in local businesses to compete in a cook-off, and many businesses are not in the food industry.

This year, there were 12 wing competitors and 12 chili competitors.

Duke Energy won first place in the chili competition, and The Carolinian won second place.

Carolina Fresh Foods won first place in the wing competition. Performance Food Service won second place, and Otis Elevator won third place.

Keith Tokar, an engineer at Otis Elevator, said his cooking team bonds during the preparation process. Leading up to the event, they spend a few weekends together experimenting with different recipes.

Cordy Williamson, a member of the Duke Energy team, said his team loves to cook for the company and for the competition. Williamson said the team’s chili simmered all day Friday, but the pleasure of seeing others enjoy their food was worth the work.

“I like the expressions on peoples’ faces when they taste it,” Williamson said.

However, more than good food, Tokar and Williamson said, their teams enjoy getting involved in the community and supporting the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

There were 15 judges for the wing competition and six judges for the chili competition. The names of the winners were announced toward the end of the evening.

Speakeasy also performed at the festival on an outdoor stage. People mingled, danced and listened to live music.

Florence Civic Center’s new GM carving a niche for unique Florence events

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – For Paul Beard, work in entertainment management is more than a career. It’s a way of life.

Beard, the former director of operations for the Florence Civic Center, recently was chosen to move the venue into the future as its new general manager, and he didn’t waste a second getting started.

He’s already established an “energetic, tireless” sales team that focuses on the future of the Civic Center as both an entertainment complex and a true convention center. He also has a vison of the venue promoting its own events more often.

“We’re going to get more unique, self-promoted events for the people in this area to enjoy without us having to depend on somebody to come here and do it for us,” he said. “We have the talent here to take events from start to finish and run it in between. It will be a popular thing.”

This could include different takes on the kid’s jamboree, the Pee Dee Deer Classic and other local specialty events.

Beard has more than 30 years’ professional experience in the industry, including tour management and leadership spots at multiple arenas and conference centers.

He also spent some time working for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus in New York, not as a clown, though he is adept at juggling many complex tasks at once.

“I have a passion for this. I was practically born into it,” he said. “My parents owned race tracks in Fayetteville, and through high school I helped with concessions, maintenance, ticket booths, cleanup, working special events. I grew up with this stuff. It’s natural.”

Beard has been a part of the organization for years and stepped up as interim general manager approximately three months ago when the Civic Center’s former general manager, Kendall Wall, left the center for a larger market.

The 60-year-old entertainment industry veteran takes over in the middle of a $16 million expansion to the center, which is expected to open the venue to larger, true convention style events.

Beard said the civic center quickly is becoming a more versatile venue, and that calls for an ability to sell the space on multiple fronts and pull the center out of a struggle facing many small markets.

“What we’re evolving into now is a true conference center, and ‘oh, by the way’ we have a 10,000-seat arena as well,” he said. “The arena can act as general assembly spot and do other meetings in breakout spaces.”

SCNow Web Article – Florence Civic Center’s new GM carving a niche for unique Florence events 

Elmcroft holds open house after renovations to Florence building

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. — The Elmcroft Senior Living Community introduced its newly renovated facility on 3006 Hoffmeyer Road with an open house and ribbon-cutting celebration Tuesday afternoon.

Ambassadors with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce joined Elmcroft executives in the celebration, which featured music, food, beverages and a tour of the building.

 Kristie Kronk, senior vice president of operations at Elmcroft, said the renovations were the first for the building in more than a decade and included updates in 45 apartments, new carpeting and flooring, paint, furniture and window treatments.

Kronk said many of the 72 residents had a voice in what happened with the renovations, which took approximately three months to complete and cost roughly $325,000.

 “As they have seen the transformation happen, it’s really fun and exciting for them because they feel as if this is their own home going through this renovation,” Kronk said. “Putting money back into the building and keeping it updated not only for our residents and their families but really the community at large, it’s really the progression of senior housing to keep your building fresh and new.”

Elmcroft Senior Living offers services and amenities for seniors who need assisted living as well as adults with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. For more information about Elmcroft Senior Living in Florence, call 843-292-0012 or visit http://www.elmcroft.com/community/elmcroft-of-florence-sc/.

SCNow Web Article – Elmcroft holds open house after renovations to Florence building 

McLeod Health and the City of Florence have once again partnered to raise awareness of breast cancer and physical activity

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McLeod Health and the City of Florence have once again partnered to raise awareness of breast cancer and physical activity through the McLeod for Health Florence Open benefitting Susan G. Komen South Carolina. Now in its sixth year, Florence’s only professional tennis tournament is being held this week through October 22, at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center.

The Florence Open tournament formed an alliance in 2014 with McLeod Health and Susan G. Komen South Carolina to help support the fight against breast cancer in the region. McLeod Health, the tournament’s presenting sponsor, is deeply committed to the early identification and treatment of breast cancer, and Susan G. Komen South Carolina has provided significant funding to regional programs, including grants totaling more than $400,000 dollars to support breast cancer programs and patients at McLeod Health. Among other things, these grants have been used for mammograms, follow-up diagnostic procedures, patient navigation services, and survivor support services, including transportation.

In May of 2017, representatives with the McLeod for Health Florence Open presented its 2016 profits — a total of $12,704.09 — to Susan G. Komen South Carolina to help fight breast cancer in the northeastern region of South Carolina. Over the last three years, the McLeod for Health Florence Open has raised more than $27,000 for Komen South Carolina.

Florence, one of the smallest cities on the circuit, was selected to host an event because of its world-class courts, its strong volunteer base, and the generosity of its sponsors. This nine-day tournament puts Florence on the world tennis map and generates significant tourism revenues for our community.

The McLeod for Health Florence Open will draw some of the best young professional players from around the world to compete for $25,000 in prize money and higher rankings. Net profits from the event will again go to Komen South Carolina, which covers 12 of the South Carolina counties served by McLeod Health.

The Florence Open will feature a 64-draw qualifying round, a 32-draw main round and a pro-am event. There will be feature matches at noon on Monday through Friday. The singles semifinals and the doubles finals are scheduled for Saturday the 21st and the singles finals will be held on Sunday the 22nd.

Community Day on Sunday the 22nd will feature a cookout, an exhibition match by the Francis Marion University tennis teams, a Junior and Adult “Hit and Get” for players of all skill levels with prizes provided by Wilson Sporting Goods, Junior Play Day and a reunion of the Adult Tennis Apprentice Alumni. Community Day activities will kick off at noon, the singles final will begin at 1:00 p.m., and the other activities will be going on all day.

With more than 90 tournaments held annually throughout the country, the United States Tennis Association Pro Circuit is the pathway to the U.S. Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, it draws more than 1,000 men and women each year from more than 70 countries to compete in cities nationwide. Virtually all of the best known pros began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit, and so did some of the sport’s top new players like Americans Grace Min, CiCi Bellis and Taylor Townsend.

“The goals are to bring world class tennis to Florence, to create a genuine community event that emphasizes health, fitness, and breast cancer awareness, and to raise funds that will enable us to make a significant donation to an excellent cause. This will be great tennis for a great cause,” added Tournament Director Rob Hill.

Admission during the tournament is free, but attendees will be offered the opportunity to donate directly to Komen South Carolina.

Leadership Florence: Media Day

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The Leadership Florence journey continues, as the class had its Media and Arts Day on Tuesday, October 10th.

The class visited and learned about several organizations, including Adams Outdoor, iHeart, Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, Morning News and Florence Little Theatre.

Chamber Fall Golf Classic

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The Florence Chamber saw more than 120 golfers get together for The Chamber’s Fall Golf Classic at the County Club of South Carolina on Thursday. The event featured nine hospitality sponsors with food, giveaways and prizes. The team winners were; first place – Duke Energy, Bill Taylor, Freddy Gamble, Jeff Peter & Tommy Patrick and second place – HopeHealth, Carl Humphries, Mark Warrin, Clay Oliver & Luke Coates. The event was made possible by Raldex Hospitality.

HanesBrands CEO honored at The School Foundation’s gala

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FLORENCE, S.C. – The School Foundation’s 16th annual gala was fashion forward and a fun walk through trends of decades gone.

The South Florence High School Drama club provided entertainment in the form of a full-on fashion show during the event on Tuesday evening at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Center on the Florence-Darlington Technical College campus.

The star of the evening, however, was the foundation’s 2017 “Distinguished Graduate” – Gerald Evans, the chief executive officer of HanesBrands Inc.

 Evans grew up in Florence, attended District 1 schools for all of his early education and graduated from South Florence High School in 1977.

“This place was such an important start to my life, and to come back 40 years later, look back on it and reflect on what it did for you is incredible,” he said. “I’m honored.”

With more than 34 years’ experience in the apparel industry, Evans now presides over the world’s largest basic apparel company. He has held positions in marketing, sales and management and is noted for business excellence in a global economy.

His advice to Florence area students is simple, yet effective.

“Nothing takes the place of hard work,” he said. “Students have a great school system here and a community that supports it. Take advantage that and work hard.”

Debbie Hyler, the executive director of The School Foundation, said Evans is a testament to how important a solid education is.

“Gerald Evans is the true definition of a leader,” she said “From his roots in Florence, he has ascended to become a well-respected titan of industry, leading one of the largest apparel companies in the world with employees in more than 40 countries on every inhabited continent. A true role model, he exemplifies the importance of drive, vision, passion and humility as values for personal and professional success.”

Last year, the School Foundation’s gala raised $64,000 for its mission. Since its founding in 2000, the foundation has funded more than $1.3 million in grants to educators in Florence School District One.

The School Foundation’s mission is to promote educational excellence in the district through grants for innovative learning and through high impact initiatives designed to prepare students for success. Currently, the foundation is leading a school readiness awareness campaign focusing on preparing all children to enter kindergarten with the skills needed to succeed.

SCNow Web Article – HanesBrands CEO honored at The School Foundation’s gala

Edible Arrangements holds ribbon cutting, celebrates downtown move

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FLORENCE, S.C. – Edible Arrangements celebrated their relocation to 130 N. Dargan Street in downtown Florence with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

The store was previously located inside the Florence Mall at 145 W. Palmetto Street before moving downtown on Sept. 19. Ambassadors with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce joined Edible Arrangements staff members in the celebration on Tuesday morning.

Collin Perry, owner of the downtown Edible Arrangements, said the relocation will allow the store to provide smoothies and frozen yogurt to their customers, along with their fruit boxes and bouquets. The Edible Arrangements use fruit that is cut fresh daily and each arrangement is made with no added sugar.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 843-679-2007.

SCNow Web Article – Edible Arrangements holds ribbon cutting, celebrates downtown move