Carolina’s Electronic Repair Service Joins Chamber

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by Ardie Arvidson

Carolina’s Electronic Repair service joined ambassadors from the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday to celebrate its new chamber membership with a ribbon cutting at the chamber office.

Brandon Summers and his sister, Mary Summers, opened the electronic repair service on the first day of January this year.

They repair laptops, tablets and cellphone, including cracked screens, water damage, and other technical problems.

“I learned the trade from working with others,” said Brandon.

He said they can fix most anything with a microchip.

Mary said she is certified in computer repair work and also works on software.

She has worked at several electronic repair shops.

“I can fix most anything,” she said. “I love to repair devices. It is interesting to me. When you love it you are good at it. It is not just a job, which is what separates us from other repair shops.”

Brandon said it is her passion.

Both said they thought joining the chamber was a great business opportunity and would help them build their brand.

They are originally from Florence.

Brandon recently moved back to his hometown from Irmo.

Their hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mary’s office is at 612 S. Irby St. Suite B. She can be reached at 843-472-6625.

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

Leadership Florence Accepting Applications for the Class of 2020

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has started accepting applications for its 2019-20 Leadership Florence class, one of South Carolina’s longest and most recognized leadership programs. The curricula include a comprehensive nine-month program designed to identify, cultivate and motivate new leadership for our communities and businesses.

Participants increase their knowledge of the Florence area, and enhance their involvement in community activities while further developing their leadership skills.

Much of the Leadership Florence Program centers on developing leaders through hands-on processes, behind-the-scenes business and government visits and informational sessions with key industries as well as cultural and municipal activities. More than 1,000 individuals from area businesses have participated in this program and is more popular today than ever before. This 2018-2019 class consists of 38 participants, one of the largest to date.

For more information on how you or your company can participate in this signature program, contact Les Echols or Michael Miller at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce at 843-665-0515.

Inland Port Bringing Growth to Pee Dee

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by Matthew Christian

Inland Port Dillon is already paying off for the Pee Dee region.

S.C. Sen. Kent Williams, whose district includes the inland port, said Friday afternoon that already two industrial businesses have moved to Marion County because of its proximity to the inland port near Dillon.

“We’re very fortunate in the Pee Dee region, not just Dillon County but in the Pee Dee region — and I underscore the region — to have an inland port in our region, more specifically located in Dillon County,” Williams said. “We were just discussing the impact already of this inland port. I know for sure that Marion County has already attracted two industries that said to us, the leadership of the county, the reason why they chose Marion County to locate and do business was because of the inland port being in proximity.”

S.C. Rep. Jackie “Coach” Hayes of Dillon added that industrial development would expand to allow the tax bases of Dillon and other surrounding counties to expand, providing better facilities for schools and other governmental functions.

Williams added that the port had exceeded its goals for the first year of operation.

S.C. Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. of Florence said the facility has surpassed anyone’s expectations and is being used tremendously. He added that the facility’s location just off exit 190 on Interstate 95 made it a convenient location.

Since opening on April 16, 2018, the inland port handled 13,222 rail lifts, or an average of 50.85 per day, including each day between April 16 and Dec. 31. Rail lifts are the number of total containers moved from a tractor-trailer to a train or vice versa.

Erin Dhand, the corporate communications and community affairs manager for the South Carolina Ports Authority, added that the SCPA expects the volume of containers handled at the facility would steadily grow for the first year or two.

“The facility directly employs 14 people, but the true benefit in terms of job creation is the port-related business that will be drawn to locate or expand in the area,” Dhand said. “We believe the facility will be a catalyst for growth and positive economic development in the future.”

She added that there were notable opportunities for the inland port to grow in terms of agriculture.

Already, C&M Hog Farm has added a transload facility at Inland Port Dillon. A transload facility transfers method of shipment from one to another, like from a truck to rail.

“Inland Port Dillon is an important complement to the investments in capacity and infrastructure underway at our marine facilities in Charleston,” Dhand said. “The facility provides new intermodal capabilities that will support the port’s overall growth by expanding our reach into markets throughout the Carolinas, Northeast and Midwest. We look forward to the job creation and economic development opportunities it brings to the region well into the future.”

The South Carolina Ports Authority was established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942. It owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, SCPA operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity.

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

SPC Credit Union Opens New Facility in Florence

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by Ardie Arvidson

SPC Credit Union of Hartsville held a ribbon cutting at its new facility in Florence at 1312 Celebration Blvd. on Thursday.

Checks were presented to West Florence High School, Wilson High School and South Florence High School and the McLeod Foundation as part of the celebration.

SPC operates in Darlington, Florence and Marlboro counties.

“We are so excited to be here,” said Linda H. Weatherford, president and CEO of SPC, “and to bring a new approach with a hometown, local feel.”

“We have been in banking for almost 80 years,” said Weatherford. “We are rooted in history but embracing our future.”

She said the newest facility and its services represent a good collaboration of the two.

Weatherford said this branch has an open retail space concept, which is new for the credit union. There are no teller lines and no drive-through window, she said.

This branch is connected by a video center to the main office in Hartsville where customers have access to all of the services and can have one-on-one conversations. The credit union also has a computer station where associates can help customers set up all of the online needs.

Florence employees are all universal sales associates, Weatherford said.

Jenny Morrell, vice president of branch operations, said they took elements from the main office and a branch office and incorporated them in the design of the Florence building. The fireplace and portico are also found in main office, which was originally the Arcade Hotel, built in 1913.

The exterior brick is similar to that of the branch in Bennettsville, she said.

The artwork is local and depicts local businesses and people. Written on one wall are three key words that depict their focus on compassion, connections and community.

To show support for the community, SPC presented a check for $25,000 to the McLeod Foundation and $500 checks to each of the three high schools.

The schools will also receive $1 from customers’ $10 purchase of debit cards depicting th credit union’s logo and colors, said Sabre Knight of the Florence office.

SPC Credit Union was organized in 1941 by Sonoco Products Company, Weatherford said.

In 2004, SPC expanded its charter to include anyone living or working in Darlington, Florence or Marlboro counties.

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

SiMT Earns Top Manufacturing Honor

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FDTC Release

Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SiMT) has received the inaugural Xometry Excellence in Manufacturing award.

Xometry, the largest online marketplace for custom manufacturing, announced today the winners of the award. The honorees represent the top tier of Xometry’s nationwide network of over 2,500 manufacturing partners based on their performance in delivering high-quality parts on time throughout 2018.

“We’re thrilled to recognize our top performing partners,” said Randy Altschuler, CEO, and co-founder of Xometry. “Our partners share our commitment to delivering high-quality work to our diverse customer base of engineers and designers across the country. We look forward to recognizing more partners in the future as our network continues to grow.”

Florence-Darlington Technical College Interim President, Edward Bethea, said “We are elated to receive this honor and are looking forward to working hard to repeat this for years to come.”

Read the full article on SC Now here.

Fellows Group Hears About Challenges at Florence Elementary School

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by Lauren Owens

The Fellows in Education gathered Tuesday at Theodore Lester Elementary School during their February meeting.

Fellows in Education is a program sponsored by The School Foundation, Florence One Schools and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

During the presentation, Theodore Lester Elementary School Principal Janette Williams informed the fellows about the school’s demographics, such as having one-third of the students in special education.

She said this can be a challenge for the school in recruiting new teachers.

“It’s more difficult to get teachers to come to schools like Lester,” Williams said. “They see the population and don’t want to come here. They want to go to schools that don’t present as many challenges.”

Williams also said a lack of parent involvement is a challenge for the school.

“The more they look at Milo, we’ve found that they’ve been communicating more with people,” Williams said. “They make eye contact more.”

Fellows also learned about student clubs at Theodore Lester Elementary School, such as Track, the Young Gentleman’s Club and Student Council.

Yulaundra Heyward, who is retired from Francis Marion University, said after touring the school that she was impressed with the teachers at Lester Elementary but was concerned with the number of children in each classroom with autism or a disability.

Click here to read the article on SC Now.

Florence Chamber Member of the Month: Ellen Cooke

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Freeman’s Bakery has been serving delicious sweet treats since 1964. As they enter their 56th year in business, Owner Ellen Cooke is especially thankful for her employees and her customers. “I love my job!” she exclaims. Freeman’s team of experienced bakers are constantly working to bring new innovative ideas for the pleasure of their customers. They continue to serve their traditional items, including several options of cakes, cupcakes and cookies. They’ve also adopted the slogan “Just Ask!” Freeman’s is eager to make a special family recipe or experiment with a new recipe for their customers.

Over the years, Freeman’s has done more than just increase their menu of baked goods. In 2017, they expanded their space to offer more options in the gift shop including balloons, plates, and napkins, and they continue to have the largest candle selection in Florence County. “We really are your one-stop-shop for all of your celebrations,” Ellen says. Freeman’s will continue to offer quality products made from scratch (with no chemical additives) and quality service in a friendly atmosphere. “We are here for our customers to be everything that you need us to be. Thank you for your patronage for the last 55 years!” Freeman’s is always cooking up something new!

For more information on this story, check the February issue of VIP Magazine.

2019 Downtown Calendar of Events

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For your planning pleasure, here are all of the events that will be going on throughout the calendar year of 2019.

Pee Dee Regionald Transportation Authority Names Interim Executive Director

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Staff Reports

Don Strickland will become interim executive director of the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority on March 1 when Chuck MacNeil retires.

Strickland’s appointment was announced Friday by the authority’s chairman, Tyron Jones. The authority’s board of directors met Thursday and voted on the appointment.

MacNeil has served as PDRTA executive director since October 2011.

“Among his many accomplishments, most notably saving our agency from the brink of collapse in 2013, Chuck also identified the necessary qualities of a future leader in Don Strickland and became a mentor to him over these past few years. I have witnessed Don’s professional growth and development under Chuck’s guidance and the two have worked tirelessly and in sync to advance PDRTA to a stronger agency with a brighter future,” Jones said.

George Jebaily, a Florence City Council member, serves on the PDRTA board and headed the search committee.

“It made too much sense to try this approach when Don has been a significant contributor here all along,” Jebaily said. “The board has become very familiar with his capabilities, expertise with federal and state transportation offices, and knowledge that comes with his 10-plus years of working at PDRTA. We do not want to see Chuck go but, given the circumstances the board is most comfortable to continue on with Don in charge.”

The PDRTA board also intends to retain MacNeil’s services to assist Strickland with the transition where needed in the months ahead.

Read the article on SC Now here.

Pee Dee Motorists: Prepare for Road Construction

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by Matthew Robertson

Approximately one year after public meetings were first conducted on the project, work is set to begin on improvements to Bentree Lane from West Palmetto Street to David McLeod Boulevard – one of several Florence County road projects set to start in the near future.

“This will consist of nighttime work with lane closures on Bentree Lane,” Lauren Roundtree wrote in a brief South Carolina Department of Transportation release on the project. “Roadwork will be ongoing over the next couple of months.”

Bentree Lane – which combines with Dozier Boulevard and Holly Circle to link Hoffmeyer Road, David McLeod Boulevard, West Palmetto Street and Second Loop Road – is set for additional turn lanes and improvements to its intersections at either end.

This project is funded through the Florence County Transportation Committee and the city of Florence, said Robert Kudelka, SCDOT spokesman, through an email sent out on the project.

The project encompasses the road’s intersections with David McLeod Boulevard and West Palmetto Streets and includes improvements to Dozier Boulevard from the intersection to Trade Court.

The purpose of the project is to improve operational efficiency for pedestrian and vehicle traffic, according to a post on the SCDOT website about the project. Additionally, the project will increase safety at each intersection with Bentree Lane.

In 2016, 27,000 vehicles per day traveled through the area on David McLeod Boulevard while 19,400 a day passed on West Palmetto Street, according to SCDOT traffic counts. No figure was available for Bentree Lane. Those numbers have held close to that since 2009.

Elsewhere in Florence County, large paving and surface rehabilitation projects are about to begin.

The longest projects will bisect Florence County both east to west and north to south.

U.S. 76 – Palmetto Street through Florence – is set for construction from the Marion County line to just past the Interstate 95 interchange. U.S. 52 is set for construction from the Darlington County line to Cades in Williamsburg County, according to a SCDOT project website.

Some other Pee Dee roads set for either paving or surface rehabilitation:

  • Interstate 95 is set to be paved from Hoffmeyer Road to the county line.
  • Interstate 95 from the North Carolina line to northern Florence County.
  • Interstate 20 through most of Darlington and Lee Counties.
  • U.S. 301/S.C. 327/Williston Road/Freedom Boulevard is set to be paved from Old Marion Highway to the bridge over Jeffries Creek.
  • Third Loop Road will be paved from South Irby Street to Bellevue Drive.
  • Church Street from National Cemetery Road to Pamplico Highway.
  • Francis Marion Road from Francis Marion University to National Cemetery Road.
  • Pineland Avenue from Cherokee Road to South Cashua Drive.
  • West Madison Avenue.
  • West Old No. 4 Highway from U.S. 52 to McAllister Mill Road.
  • Salem Road/West Old No. 4 Highway to Bethel Road.
  • Old Creek Road from West Old No. 4 Highway to U.S. 301.
  • U.S. 378 from North Church Street west to the Clarendon County line.
  • U.S. 378 from Old River Road to the Great Pee Dee River.
  • S.C. 41/51 will be paved from the railroad crossing to S.C. 341.
  • Dennis Road from West Main Street to Cooktown Road.
  • Hyman Road from S.C. 51 to Friendfield Road.
  • U.S. 15 from U.S. 52 to North Marquis Highway.
  • North Center Road from Old Camden Road to Indian Branch Road.

Other notable projects on the website:

  • Improvements for the U.S. 52/Alligator Road/Howe Springs Road intersection.
  • Improvements to the Francis Marion Road/Claussen Road/Old River Road intersection.
  • Improvements to the Pisgah Road/North Ebenezer Road/Sumter Street intersection.
  • Improvements to the U.S. 52/Wire Road intersection.
  • Improvements to the U.S. 301/North Bethel Road intersection.
  • Improvements to the U.S. 52/U.S. 401/Church Street intersection in Society Hill.
  • Widen Alligator Road from two to three lanes from U.S. 76 to Knollwood Road and three to five lanes from Knollwood Road to Alligator Branch Bridge.
  • Widen U.S. 76 to five lanes from Honda Way to I-95/Meadors Road.
  • Work on scour protection for the Interstate 95 bridge over the Great Pee Dee River.
  • Edisto Drive bridge replacement over Jeffries Creek.
  • Ebenezer Road bridge replacement over High Hill Creek.
  • U.S. 76 bridge replacement over the Lynches River at the Lee County line.
  • A series of bridges along U.S. 401 north of Interstate 20 are set to be replaced.

To read the article on SC Now, click here.