Business Images Florence, SC 2011

business

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What’s Online

See how businesses are coming together to create more jobs in Florence.

Florence, south carolina

Brain Stormers Young entrepreneurs eager to succeed

Minding Our Business

Major companies continue to move in

Top of the Class Local colleges give region competitive edge Sponsored by the Florence County Economic Development Partnership | 2011

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Workstyle Businesses Are Talking

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Companies work together to recruit new employers and create more jobs in the Florence area.

Brain Stormers

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The future is wow for entrepreneurs.

Insight

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Overview

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Almanac

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Business Climate

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Transportation

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Energy/Technology

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Economic Profile

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Livability Image Gallery

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Education

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Health

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Reaping the Rewards

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On the Cover Photo by todd bennett Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology

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All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

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ONLINE

l i f e s t y l e | w o r k s t y l e | d i g g i n g d e e p e r | v i d eo | l i n k t o u s | a d v e r t i s e | c o n ta ct u s | s i t e m a p

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Floren ce, S o uth Car o lina 201 1 Edition , volum e 5 Project Manager Emily McMackin

F lo r e n c e , so u t h c a r o l i n a

CONNECTIONS

®

Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker

An online resource at imagesflorence.com

Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Melanie Hill, Heather Johnston Johnson, Bill Lewis Media Technology Director Christina Carden

digital Magazine >> BuSineSS

imagesflorence.com ®

What’s Online

See how businesses are coming together to create more jobs in Florence.

Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Candice Sweet, Vikki Williams Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, Lance conzett, Michele Niccore, Marcus Snyder Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord

FlOrenCe, SOuTh CarOlina

Brain Stormers Young entrepreneurs eager to succeed

Minding Our Business

Major companies continue to move in

Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Web Content Managers John Hood, Kim Madlom Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Designer Leigh Guarin Web Developer I Yamel Hall Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf

Lifestyle Find out what it’s like to live here and what makes the community such a special place to be.

Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan

Top of the Class

I.T. Director Yancey Bond

Local colleges give region competitive edge

Regional Sales Manager Chris Sweeney

SpOnSOred By The FlOrenCe COunTy eCOnOMiC develOpMenT parTnerShip | 2011

Read the magazine on your computer, zoom in on articles and link to advertiser websites.

Sales Support/Community, Business, Custom Rachael Goldsberry Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman Office Manager/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Shelly Miller Executive Integrated Media Manager Suzi McGruder Sales Support Manager Cindy Hall color imaging technician alison hunter

News and Notes >> Our editors give you the Inside Scoop on the latest development and trends in the community.

Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter, Carla Thurman Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner V.P./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Custom Publishing Kim Newsom V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester

Workstyle A spotlight on the region’s innovative companies

success breeds success >> Meet the people who set the pace for business innovation.

Dig Deeper >>

V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P. Sales Charles Fitzgibbon, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Content Director/Travel Publications Susan Chappell Content Director/Business Publications Bill McMeekin Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris Distribution Director Gary Smith

Plug into the community with

Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan

links to local websites and

Receptionist Linda Bishop

Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake

resources to give you a big picture of the region.

Data Central >> A wealth of demographic and statistical information puts the community at your fingertips.

See the Video Our award-winning photographers give you a virtual tour of unique spaces, places and faces.

guide to services >> Links to a cross section of goods and services special to the community

go online

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Florence

Business Images Florence is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Florence County Economic Development Partnership.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Florence County Economic Development Partnership 1951 Pisgah Rd. • Florence, SC 29501 P.O. Box 100549 • Florence, SC 29502 Phone: (843) 676-8796 • Fax: (843) 676-8799 www.fcedp.com

Visit Business Images Florence online at imagesflorence.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member Member

The Association of Magazine Media Custom Content Council

Member Florence County Economic Development Partnership

business ®

Digital Edition

Businesses Are Talking Companies work together to recruit new employers and create more jobs in the Florence area

Story by Bill Lewis Photography by Todd Bennett

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usinesses are talking to one another about Florence County, and the result is more investment, more jobs and more economic opportunities throughout the Pee Dee region.

“We want to see the area continue to grow,” says Jeff Helton, assistant vice president of support services for Honda of South Carolina (HONDA), which makes all-terrain vehicles at its factory in Timmonsville.

Helton is one of many business leaders who are active in the Florence County Economic Development Partnership (FCEDP), the private-public partnership with the mission of bringing new employers to the region and encouraging existing businesses to expand.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” says Joe W. King, the partnership’s executive director. “The long-term goal is to bring in new jobs and new investment and increase the quality of life for everybody.”

No one can explain the advantages of doing business in Florence County better than someone who is already managing a company here, Helton says. Members of the partnership met with representatives of QVC, Monster Worldwide, H.J. Heinz, Johnson Controls and other well-known companies that have established significant operations here.

Those discussions encouraged QVC (QVC.com) to expand operations at its 1.4-million-square-foot distribution

JUST THE FACTS

12 Honda of South Carolina is one of 12 major factories in North America

500 Estimated number of QVC employees at the Florence branch

10 Progress Energy earns approximately $10 billion in annual revenues

Workers assemble an all-terrain vehicle at the Honda of South Carolina facility in Timmonsville.

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FLORENCE

II M M AA GG EE SS FF LL OO RR EE NN CC EE .. CC OO M M

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Share with a friend Easily share an interesting article, stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail.

HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE? Embed the digital magazine into your site to add compelling information about the successful businesses located here, what it’s like to work here and why it’s a great place to live.

DO MORE THAN JUST READ ABOUT IT Hear from decision-makers at leading companies, see video of the region’s success stories and find links to useful demographic information and information sources.

imagesflorence.com

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Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc.

Home of the best associates producing quality Honda products!

www.honda.com

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Florence

Overview

Florence, a Great Place To Live and Work 1. Location Florence County is

in the center of northeastern South Carolina at the junction of Interstate 95 and I-20. With nearly 75 percent of the nation’s population within a day’s drive, it is an ideal location for distribution, manufacturing and retail.

2. Proven Success The region

is a proven location for world-class business and industry, including ABB, Anheuser-Busch, Assurant, FedEx, GE Healthcare, Honda, Johnson Controls, Nan Ya Plastics, PepsiCo, QVC, Roche and SmurfitStone Container.

3. Education and Training Local public and private schools offer families a broad range of educational and extracurricular opportunities.

Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Technical College help create an abundant workforce.

The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology and the Center for Accelerated Technology Training provide industry-specific training.

A symphony orchestra, museums, performing arts center, live theater, parks and other recreational amenities are easily accessible.

7. Warm Climate Exceptionally

mild winters allow for fun in the sun almost year-round. The agricultural community enjoys an extended growing season averaging 241 days (March through October).

8. Top-Rated Health Care

Florence County’s two major hospital systems, Carolinas Hospital System and McLeod Health, contribute significantly to the quality of life as well as the economic growth of the entire Pee Dee region.

10. Hub of It All As the hub of retail trade, services, entertainment, business and health care for a regional population base approaching 700,000, Florence County enjoys assets well beyond those found in most tertiary metropolitan markets in the United States. Nonetheless, small-town charm has been maintained. In short, Florence County offers “Global Reach ...

With a Southern Touch.”

Quinby 20

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Florence Marion Timmonsville

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Lynchburg

Effingham 52

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Pamplico

Coward

5. Low Real Estate Costs The county offers some of the lowest real estate prices in the nation – commercial, industrial and residential. Recent rankings have placed Florence among the top in the nation for affordable housing.

The county has an active speculative building program, with certified sites and parks waiting for new investment. To view current buildings and sites, visit www.fcedp.com.

Florence County

4. Incentive Programs Florence

County, South Carolina offer a series of customized performance-based incentive programs designed to reduce both start-up expenses and operating costs. Timely and aggressive programs can be devised to help meet the needs of individual prospects.

9. Available Buildings and Sites

Olanta Scranton 378

Lake City

378

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Johnsonville

6. Quality of Life Florence offers a plethora of choices in restaurants, lodging and cultural activities.

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Almanac Penchant for Pecans

Attention Art Buffs Art lovers will find plenty of eye candy to enjoy in Francis Marion’s Art Gallery Series, hosted by the university’s Department of Fine Arts. The series lasts throughout the year and showcases local and regional artists. On tap for the 2011 season: an interactive cross media exhibit and exhibitions of photography, ceramic art, prints, 3-D design and architecture.

Visit departments.fmarion.edu/finearts/gallery.htm to view the schedule.

Whether you like your pecans dipped in chocolate or dusted with cinnamon, you’re sure to find your favorite flavor at Young Pecan Plantations in Florence.

Founded in the 1920s, the company started out as a small pecan shipping business and is now one of the country’s largest pecan shellers and suppliers. The family-owned business, which produces pecan and pecan candies, ships its products all over the world. Find your favorites at www.youngplantations.com.

If you’ve still got a hankering for the salty snack, don’t miss the annual Pecan Festival in November, where you can sample pecans from more than 200 vendors. The festival, which draws more than 50,000 attendees, also features live music and art exhibitors – and was recently expanded to include more concert stages, a kid-friendly carnival area, an art trail gallery and the Run Like a Nut half-marathon. For more details, visit www.florencedowntown.com/pecanfestival.aspx.

A Brush with Bob Dylan Before he was named Poet Laureate of both South Carolina and the Confederacy, Henry Timrod was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Florence, which still stands today.

A piece of Timrod’s talents – poems from 1860 – lives on in the lyrics of Bob Dylan, who lifted lines from a few of Timrod’s 1860 works for his song When the Deal Goes Down in the 2006 Modern Times album.

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Head of the Class Francis Marion University was recently ranked as one of the top universities of the South, earning it a mention in the 2011 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges list. According to school officials, FMU has consistently appeared on the list as one of the South’s best universities for more than a decade. Founded in 1970 and celebrating its 40th year, the university is named in honor of Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion, who was nicknamed the Swamp Fox for his strategic use of the South Carolina terrain to outfox the British.

Three Decades of Speed Ever dreamed of driving a race car?

Students at the Buck Baker Racing School in Darlington get to experience it firsthand. Founded in 1980 by NASCAR racing legend Buck Baker, the school just celebrated its 30th year instructing amateurs, budding champions and racing pros alike in the tricks and techniques of race car driving. Nearly three decades ago, Buck recognized the need for a racing school to train future drivers and raise more interest in the sport. Over the years, the school has trained some of racing’s best, including four-time Sprint Cup Champion Jeff Gordon and 2002 Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart, among others. Relive its fasttrack history at www.buckbaker.com.

Science Saturdays Move over kitchen experiments. Budding scientists in Florence now have a new outlet for their incorrigible curiosity.

ScienceSouth, a nonprofit educational organization in Florence, is launching a free monthly program on Saturdays to encourage kids to get excited about science, technology, engineering and math education. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds initiative, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Saturdays will offer fun, hands-on activities to teach problem-solving skills to grade schoolers. Learn more about it at www.sciencesouth.org.

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Come enjoy our newly renovated Courtyard where high style meets high tech.

The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect.

Breakfast, Dinner and Full Bar

2680 Hospitality Blvd.

Florence, SC 29501 (843) 662-7066 (843) 662-6949 Fax www.marriott.com/flocy

Every suite at SpringHill is 25% larger than a typical hotel room.

Complimentary expanded continental breakfast.

Residence Inn is the only full amenity long-term stay hotel in the Florence area.

Spacious suites with full kitchens help our guests to feel at home.

Our meeting room is the perfect setting for smallto medium-sized events.

2670 Hospitality Blvd.

Florence, SC 29501 (843) 317-9050 (843) 317-9025 Fax www.marriott.com/flosh

2660 Hospitality Blvd.

Florence, SC 29501 (843) 468-2800 (843) 468-2900 Fax www.marriott.com/flori

Courtyard, SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott are all conveniently located side by side at the intersection of I-95 and I-20. We are within walking distance of the Florence Civic Center, Magnolia Mall, Florence Rail Trail, and many restaurants and shopping venues.

Contact Lyles Cooper Lyles at (843) 250-8175 or lyles.lyles@marriott.com for information about group and event bookings, meetings, and corporate accounts.

Almanac Scrumptious Stop Florence steak and seafood restaurant Percy and Willie’s made mouths water nationwide when it received a rave review this fall on NPR as one of the tastiest pit stops on I-95. The restaurant was named among a list of must-visit eateries in Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia. Written by road warriors Stan Posner and Sandra Phillips-Posner, the book recommends great food and finds along the interstate. During an interview with NPR, the Posners gushed about Percy and Willie’s potato soup and toasted croissant with honey. Visit www.drivei95.com to check out more distinctive I-95 stops.

From Florence to American Chopper Back to Nature Hikers can find plenty of trails to conquer in Florence. The city has extended its trail system over the past few years and is working on looping in more wetland properties in the area.

Great hikes can be discovered in the most hidden places, including an old railway area, formerly part of the Atlantic Coast Line railroad, which has been converted into a trail.

Download trail maps at www.cityofflorence.com. For a weekend escape, Lynches River County Park, just south of Florence, offers a natural oasis, with fishing along the river, canoe/kayak rentals, nature trails, picnic areas, camping areas and cabins. Plan your next outdoor adventure at www.lynchesriverpark.com.

Local manufacturer ESAB Welding & Cutting Products received national exposure recently when its products were featured on the season opener of TLC’s American Chopper. The welding equipment and filler metals used to create custom motorcycles for the Orange County Choppers design shop were made in Florence, which employs 575 at its manufacturing plant.

During its premiere episode on August 26, Orange County Choppers designed and produced a custom chopper for ESAB, which was tapped this past summer as the shop’s exclusive welding equipment provider. Fans can view the custom motorcycle on permanent display at ESAB in Florence, and the bike will also be available to showcase for special events. ESAB filler metals are also being used in two of the new Freedom Towers under construction in New York City, where the Twin Towers once stood.

Find out more about ESAB at www.esab.com.

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Business Climate

Minding Our Business Florence continues to attract major companies

cooperative pro-business economic partnership

strategic location

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Florence

Story by Kevin Litwin Photography by Todd Bennett

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n impressive $1 billion in new and expanding business and industry has arrived in Florence County over the past dozen years, plus more than 7,500 new jobs have been created.

And much of that success has occurred recently, despite a national recession.

“Florence County continues to establish itself as a prime destination for a variety of industry clusters,” says Dr. Charles Gould, chairman of the Florence Economic Development Partnership.

Gould says companies are attracted to Florence for a variety of reasons,

including its strategic location, ample available land, low taxes, skilled workforce and a cooperative probusiness economic partnership. Site Selection magazine recently ranked Florence on its top five list for new and expanding facilities in metro areas with 50,000-200,000 residents.

“We chose Florence because it has the talent, standard of living and educational resources we needed to bring premier service to our customers,” says Art O’Donnell, executive vice president of global customer services for Monster Worldwide Inc. The parent company

of Monster.com established a $28 million customer care facility in Florence in early 2010.

Another recent local success story is H.J. Heinz Inc., which invested $105 million in a facility in Florence to expand its production of frozen meals.

“The new facility allows us to increase production of our Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Boston Market frozen entrées to meet the growing consumer demand,” says Dave Moran, president and CEO of Heinz North America.

Moran says Heinz conducted a comprehensive search that included

true teamwork approach low taxes

skilled workforce

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several locations in multiple states before selecting South Carolina. The site in Florence County, located at Pee Dee Touchstone Energy Commerce City, was chosen for a number of reasons, including the positive business environment and the quality and quantity of available skilled labor in the area.

The same reasoning went into a decision for Johnson Controls to recently invest $100 million and locate its new automotive battery recycling facility in Florence.

“I grew up in Charleston, and I graduated from USC, and I know firsthand that South Carolinians care

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Florence

about hard work, giving back to their communities and protecting their natural environment,” says Alex A. Molinaroli, vice president and president of power solutions for Johnson Controls. “We share those commitments. That’s why our company feels at home here.”

Materials Innovation Technology, a manufacturer of advanced composite materials, selected Lake City in 2010 as home for its manufacturing operations. The company brought 120 new jobs and a $5 million investment to the area.

“Also in Florence County, a brick-andmortar expansion is taking place at

McCall Farms, while several existing companies such as Chase, Assurant, GE Medical and QVC are adding jobs,” says Joe W. King, executive director of the Florence Economic Development Partnership. “Our location at I-95 and I-20, our proximity to two deep water ports, daily flights to Charlotte and Atlanta, the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology as well as Francis Marion University, a skilled trainable workforce and a true teamwork approach is why we have been successful – and will continue to be.”

Below: Monster Worldwide Right: Pee Dee Touchstone Energy Commerce City

Honoring our past. Inspired by our future.

Ingenuity Welcome OUR VISION: A more comfortable, safe and sustainable world

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Florence

Businesses Are Talking Companies work together to recruit new employers and create more jobs in the Florence area

Story by Bill Lewis Photography by Todd Bennett

B

usinesses are talking to one another about Florence County, and the result is more investment, more jobs and more economic opportunities throughout the Pee Dee region.

“We want to see the area continue to grow,” says Jeff Helton, assistant vice president of support services for Honda of South Carolina (HONDA), which makes all-terrain vehicles at its factory in Timmonsville.

Helton is one of many business leaders who are active in the Florence County Economic Development Partnership (FCEDP), the private-public partnership with the mission of bringing new employers to the region and encouraging existing businesses to expand.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” says Joe W. King, the partnership’s executive director. “The long-term goal is to bring in new jobs and new investment and increase the quality of life for everybody.”

No one can explain the advantages of doing business in Florence County better than someone who is already managing a company here, Helton says. Members of the partnership met with representatives of QVC, Monster Worldwide, H.J. Heinz, Johnson Controls and other well-known companies that have established significant operations here.

Those discussions encouraged QVC (QVC.com) to expand operations at its 1.4-million-square-foot distribution

just the facts

12 Honda of South Carolina is one of 12 major factories in North America

500 Estimated number of QVC employees at the Florence branch

10 Progress Energy earns approximately $10 billion in annual revenues

Workers assemble an all-terrain vehicle at the Honda of South Carolina facility in Timmonsville.

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Florence

Brian McCord

Left: Employee Carolyn Gray packs garments at the QVC facility in Florence. QVC expanded its operations at the facility after discussing Florence’s distribution advantages with local business leaders.

center in Florence, says general manager Robby Roberson. Since opening in 2007, the facility had fulfilled customer orders for almost everything sold by the television and online retailer – everything except jewelry. That changed on May 24, 2010, when the first piece of jewelry was shipped from Florence.

“There were a lot of discussions with other companies prior to moving the jewelry line,” Roberson says.

“There’s a lot of confidence in this community.”

Roberson says he’s personally committed to the partnership’s mission.

“We all have a common interest in attracting business to the area. There’s a synergy that develops.” he says.

The region’s power provider, Progress Energy (PROGRESS), is an active participant in economic development efforts, says Melody

Birmingham-Byrd, vice president of the Fortune 500 company’s Carolinas’ Southern Region.

“Florence is Progress Energy’s regional headquarters, and we are proud to team with our partners in growing the business community,” she says. “We provide reliable, affordable power for our customers, and we’re also personally involved in promoting economic development, because we know that our success is tied directly to the growth and vitality of the communities we serve.”

“Our roots in Florence County run deep, and we’re committed to its continued prosperity,” adds Stuart Ames, Progress Energy’s manager of economic development for South Carolina. “Our focus is on being responsive to the local communities we serve, to help bring quality jobs and significant capital investments to

Florence County and the greater Pee Dee region.”

Recruiting new businesses strengthens the economy and makes it possible for the community to enjoy amenities such as its $17.5 million downtown library and the performing arts center, says Rick Saunders, president of First Reliance Bank (FirstReliance). “At the end of the day, if you don’t have a healthy economy you can’t attract young families and new businesses,” Saunders says.

Honda’s Helton says creating new jobs is the lifeblood of the community.

“There have to be economic opportunities. That brings in new employers. The mall fills up. It’s a domino effect. It compounds. You have 1,000 kids graduating every year from the schools. You want them to be able to find a good job and come back,” Helton says. i m a g e sf l o r e n c e . com

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Growth Spurt Florence attracts young entrepreneurs eager to succeed Story by Emily McMackin Photography by Todd Bennett

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fter years of living and working in Columbia and Charleston, Jamie Johnson, 28, decided to move back home to Florence six months ago to pursue a lifelong dream: opening her own salon and spa. She found a 1,000-square-foot building, which cost as much as her rental booth at a Charleston salon, on a road with plenty of traffic. Business is so good at J. Crosby Salon, she’s already planning to expand the salon’s hair, skin and spa services.

“Florence is a much better place for my business,” Johnson says.

“In Charleston, there was so much competition. In Florence, everyone knows your name, and customers tend to be loyal. If they like your products and services, they’re going to tell other people about you. It’s a great location because you’re close enough to all the hot spots, but you can still find everything you want here.”

In addition to luring world-class companies to its region, Florence is

also attracting the attention of young adults like Johnson who are looking for profitable communities that will welcome them and give them the support they need to turn their entrepreneurial ventures into successful small businesses.

Loyalty and Location Wesley Ann Wakeman, 31, could have started her all-natural holistic pet supply and grooming business, Woofers, anywhere, but she wouldn’t trade her Florence location. The business has managed to thrive through good and bad economic times, thanks to the loyalty of longtime customers. “I like the market here,” Wakeman says. “I know what people expect – fair treatment, good customer service and quality – and that’s what we pride ourselves on …

It’s nice to be in a community that believes in the same things we do and supports local business – even if the sticker price is higher – because

Dogs receive a trim at Woofers, a holistic pet supply and grooming business and one of several small businesses in Florence launched by young entrepreneurs.

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they want to take care of the people around them.”

Having worked in a small business in Atlanta, Wakeman appreciates running a store in a location that is “small enough to know the people I’m doing business with but large enough to support big city luxuries, without having to join the rat race.”

Moral Support for Small Businesses Florence native Robby Hill, 27, who owns Internet technology consultant HillSouth, is heartened by the growing group of entrepreneurs who are investing in his hometown – and he understands what attracts them. “We have a branch in Columbia, but there is no comparison to the support we receive here,” Hill says. “Florence is full of people who care about seeing their community grow and welcome every new business with open arms.”

Mentoring from other Florence entrepreneurs and strategic alliances with other businesses helped Hill through tough times in the early days of his business, which he started as a teenager while working for Sonoco’s corporate headquarters. “Being able to call on others who were going through the same struggles helped me grow my business,” he says. Hill started a young professionals group in Florence to help other young adults network and get involved in business growth.

In five years, the group, which encompasses everyone from local cafe owners to Francis Marion University graduates and corporate employee transplants, has grown from a handful of people to 1,000 members. “You see people who have just graduated and people who have been in business for years come together to see what we can accomplish in our community,” Hill says. “The diverse ideas and interests each person brings to the table makes Florence richer overall.”

Top to bottom: Robby Hill, president and CEO of Internet technology consultant, Hillsouth; Ann Todd (left) and Wesley Ann Wakeman of Woofers, an all-natural holistic pet supply and grooming business; Jamie Johnson, owner of J. Crosby Salon

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Florence

Empowering Entrepreneurs Francis Marion University Offers Programs to Help Small Businesses Succeed For aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners, Florence offers an invaluable resource: a university devoted to helping them grow their businesses.

Not only can businesses rely on Francis Marion University to produce a talented pool of employees, they can also take advantage of entrepreneurship and small business assistance programs offered through the School of Business.“Whether it’s helping business owners brainstorm, select a site or draft a business or marketing plan, we like to think of ourselves as a one-stop shop for anything entrepreneurial,” says Susan Peters, director of the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

The center helps entrepreneurs in the Pee Dee region get their businesses off the ground by advising them on business plans, loan requests and management tactics. Once businesses are established, the university’s Donald E. Kelley Small Business Institute steps in to offer consulting on everything from marketing to cost cutting. MBA students are often recruited to work with businesses, putting their academic knowledge to practical use.

“As often as possible, we try to connect students with local entrepreneurs,” says Brianna Zhang, manager of the Small Business Institute. “Even if the connection doesn’t result in a student starting a business, it plants the seeds for entrepreneurship later in life.”

It must be making a difference because more students are opting to stay in Florence after graduation to pursue their entrepreneurial ventures, says Eric Belk, a Francis Marion

business professor who also serves as vice president of Match Factors Inc., a Florence-based transportation factoring business.

“Students who aspire to open businesses tend to stay in Florence because of the resources here to

help them get started,” he says.

“One of my students chose to locate his pizzeria here instead of in his hometown in Myrtle Beach because he knows it’s a great place to do business.”

– Emily McMackin

Our Sales Associates Are

Trusted by More!

ERA Leatherman Realty Inc. 2180 W. Evans St. • Florence, SC 29501 (843) 662-0388 • Toll-free: (800) 828-6043 Fax: (843) 662-5858 www.eraleatherman.com

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Gallery

A crescent moon shines above palmetto trees.

Photo by Todd Bennett

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Florence

Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library Photo by Todd Bennett

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Florence

Transportation

Distribution Dream Florence offers top-notch transportation access

Story by Kevin Litwin Photography by Todd Bennett

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VC Inc., a major multimedia global retailer, has a distribution center in Florence that ships 1,000 packages an hour.

Those packages include exercise equipment, electronics, small appliances and apparel, and the company has been so profitable in Florence that it recently added jewelry to the list of distribution services from its TV Road location.

QVC is one of several businesses that can credit Florence County for a portion of its success. That’s because this community offers excellent transportation access for companies involved in the warehousing and distribution industry.

Top transportation access in Florence includes convenient railroad shipping services as well as Florence Regional Airport, which happens to be the second busiest airport in the region behind only Myrtle Beach International. And as for its highway system, Florence is at the center of

several major roads.

“The county is served by interstate highways I-20 and I-95, and there are four U.S. highways traversing our community,” says Joe W. King, executive director of the Florence Economic Development Partnership.

The convenient and abundant highway system has attracted nearly 20 trucking and freight firms to this region – all of which are within a one-hour drive of the Columbia state capital. In addition, 68 percent of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive of Florence County.

The county is also home to a Class A-rated commercial business park – Pee Dee Touchstone Energy Commerce City. Located near the intersection of Interstate 95 and SC Highway 327, the industrial park’s proximity along I-95 puts it approximately halfway between New York City and Miami.

A major company that recently became a Commerce City tenant is Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., which

invested $12 million to establish a new 155,000-square-foot distribution center.

“All of the infrastructure was here, and there is really good access in and out,” says Frank Avent, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. president and CEO. Pepsi joins companies such as IFH, Johnson Controls, Angus-Palm and FedEx in Commerce City. Richmond Supply Inc. in Florence just signed a Southeast distributorship agreement in 2010 with a major provider of conveyor systems. Richmond Supply’s distribution network includes products and services such as pulp and paper as well as aggregate, chemical and food processing.

“Our airport (Florence Regional) offers daily flights to and from Charlotte and Atlanta, while the port of Charleston is only 97 miles away, and the port of Wilmington is only 105 miles away,” King says.

“Transportation is indeed one of our top assets here in Florence County.”

Clockwise from top: Interstates I-20 and I-95; Florence Regional Airport; Pepsi Cola at Pee Dee Touchstone Energy Commerce City

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Energy/Technology

Going Green Saving the environment creates economic opportunities for companies in Pee Dee

Story by Bill Lewis Photography by Todd Bennett

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usinesses of all sizes in the Pee Dee region are going green not only to save the environment but also to cut operating costs, increase profits and create economic opportunities for themselves, their employees and their customers.

“The green movement is why our company exists,” says Spence Langley, president of Carolina Product Solutions (CPS).

CPS provides super efficient LED and fluorescent lighting that helps customers dramatically reduce their energy consumption. The company had just two employees, Langley and his partner, when it opened in 2007.

Response has been so strong that CPS has added a third employee and is planning for more growth.

“As we get more jobs next year and the market expands, we’ll have to expand and add employees,” Langley says.

At the other end of the size scale, Johnson Controls, which has 130,000 employees in more than 150 countries, is investing $150 million to build a battery recycling center in Florence.

Johnson Controls (JohnsonControls), a major supplier of lead automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric cars, will employ 250 people at the recycling facility.

“This initial investment is part of our overall strategy to add recycling capacity in the United States,” says Mike Carr, vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls Lead business. “This will enable us to

An Adams Outdoor Advertising employee changes an eco-flex billboard sheet in Florence.

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Johnson Controls, which supplies batteries for hybrid and electric cars, will build a battery recycling center in Florence.

continue to responsibly recycle our customers’ spent batteries while reducing our reliance on outside suppliers.”

The battery recycling facility will be located on a 270-acre site on Paper Mill Road. Johnson Controls plans to develop 36 acres for the recycling center and parking and leave the remaining portion undeveloped.

Portions will be protected permanently through a conservation easement.

Another large Florence employer, Roche Carolina (ROCHE), is meeting ambitious environmental goals, which include a 15 percent reduction in energy use per employee within the next five years. The company, which manufactures bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients, also has high standards for waste reduction,

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reuse and recycling.

When a new drug compound is developed at the facility, new waste reduction goals are set. Typically, 25 to 50 percent of chemical waste is eliminated. Other materials at the plant, such as paper and cardboard, are recycled. Any profits generated by recycling the protective clothing worn by employees, as well as their aluminum beverage cans, are donated to charity.

Adams Outdoor Advertising (AdamsOutdoor), which does business throughout the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest, has discovered a way to make its billboards more environmentally friendly while lending a hand to schools and nonprofit organizations.

Historically, the outdoor advertising industry pasted paper signs onto billboards. That, unfortunately,

sometimes created a problem. “When the product ages, it begins breaking down. The paper can come loose and get into the environment,” says Glynn Willis, the company’s real estate manager in Florence.

Adams avoids that with its eco-flex system. Advertising messages are printed onto recyclable sheets of durable polyethylene, which is attached to the billboard by clips instead of glue. When it’s time to take down the eco-flex sheets, Adams donates them to schools for use in art classes and to humane societies for use as tarps to protect the animals.

“The billboard industry has really evolved and stepped up to the plate,” Willis says.

The same can be said for businesses throughout Florence County.

$150 million

13

75

Amount being invested by Johnson Controls to build a battery recycling center in Florence

Roche Carolina has reduced electrical and natural gas consumption by 13%

LED tube lighting fixtures, a product of Carolina Product Solutions, consumes 75% less energy

Florence

Greener and Cleaner Utilities generate new programs to promote energy efficiency Utilities that serve Florence County are adding voltage to their efforts to promote sustainability and increased energy efficiency.

Progress Energy’s Florencebased, 13-county Southern Region has made improving energy efficiency, exploring renewable energy and retooling existing facilities a major part of its strategic focus. The Raleighbased utility is investing in renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar to add to its electric power grid.

The utility’s low-income, energyefficiency program, Neighborhood Energy Saver, is designed to help customers better understand how they use electricity and help them better manage their energy use.

Progress Energy contractors install energy-saving devices such as compact fluorescent lightbulbs, programmable thermostats and insulating water heaters in homes at no cost to the customer.

Pee Dee Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electricity distribution cooperative that serves approximately 30,000 members in Florence as well as five other counties. The utility sent 30,000 compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) to co-op members as part of the “Do the Light Switch” initiative, a

South Carolina electric cooperatives joint effort to distribute 7 million CFLs to residential members over the next 10 years.

Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s largest provider of electricity, launched its “Reduce the Use South Carolina” energy efficiency campaign in 2009. The 10-yearlong campaign aims to substantially reduce the use of electricity and

improve energy efficiency among the utility’s 163,000 direct serve residential and commercial customers through rebates and programs. Through September 2010, customers had made changes to save 49.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough energy to power 3,700 households each year. For more information, visit www.reducetheuse.com.

GE Healthcare

It’s not just the company, it’s the people too.

GE Healthcare, a proud member of the Florence community. GE volunteers recognized for humanitarian efforts throughout Florence County.

Visit www.gehealthcare.com for more details.

imagination at work

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Education

A Smart Investment Higher education opportunities abound in the Pee Dee region

Story by Melanie Hill Photography by Todd Bennett

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lorence County is a smart place to work, live and play. A thriving network of higher education and technical colleges puts Pee Dee’s students, and businesses, ahead of the class.

Francis Marion University in Florence is bringing much more than book smarts to northeastern South Carolina. With 550 employees and an enrollment of 4,000, the school brings $78 million and hundreds of highly skilled graduates to the local economy each year.

“Of the roughly 700 baccalaureate degree holders graduating each year, three-fourths are staying in South Carolina and becoming a very viable part of the economy,” says FMU

president Dr. Fred Carter. “That’s an enormous economic engine.”

FMU’s impact also can be felt in the School of Business, which provides consultation services to companies throughout the region.

FMU’s Donald E. Kelley Small Business Institute and Center for Entrepreneurship also lends a hand to local business owners. Dr. Susan D. Peters, director of the center, says the organization’s mission is twofold – entrepreneurship education and small business assistance.

“We try to teach people what it takes to be an entrepreneur as well as give them the skill sets, advice and assistance to start or grow a business,” Peters says. “We also serve as a

referral agent; we try to help small businesses or potential small businesses find the contacts in the community they need.”

In 2011, the university will celebrate the opening of the new FMU Performing Arts Center, expected to bring another $58 million to the local economy. Carter hopes the center also will be a catalyst for making the cultural arts more of a vibrant enterprise throughout the Pee Dee region.

At Florence-Darlington Technical College, 6,000 students receive training in more than 75 areas of study. With a $38 million operating budget, the two-year college also provides contract training to nearly

Students study physics at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, a center started by Florence-Darlington Technical College to serve the business and training needs of area employers.

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Florence

Florence-Darlington Technical College

5,000-6,000 Average enrollment

$38 million Operating budget

1963 Year Florence-Darlington Technical College was established

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Florence-Darlington Technical College

Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University

4,000 Average enrollment

16 to 1 Student-faculty ratio

1970 Year Francis Marion University was founded

15,000 customers each year.

“We’re very tied in to the nuclear regulatory commission, and heavily involved in engineering technology and health sciences, which are significant industries in Pee Dee,” says Dr. Charles Gould, president of FDTC. In 2007, the college opened the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology to serve the growing business and training needs of area employers.

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Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology

“Our clients are companies and individuals trying to upgrade their work skills for career advancement and job opportunities,” says Jack Roach, director of SiMT. “Our goal is to help them get their workforce skills up so they can be competitive on a global scale.”

Companies of all sizes look to SiMT to assist in the development of product ideas, design engineering, advanced machining, rapid prototyping and

much more. The center also is one of only six facilities worldwide to offer a 3-D/virtual reality center in a commercial application of technology.

In 2011, SiMT also will welcome the addition of a 28,000 square-foot, $4 million manufacturing business incubation center.

“Our goal is to help create new companies that will migrate out into the community and help create new jobs,” Roach says.

Powerful Partner for Schools Florence High students amp up renewable energy studies Students at South Florence High School are getting a hands-on lesson in the power of the sun, thanks to a partnership that includes Progress Energy Carolinas.

A two-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) installation from Progress Energy’s SunSense schools program will give students the opportunity to study real-time electricity production.

South Florence High School, chosen from 30 schools to participate in the program, was one of five winning schools in South Carolina that received PV arrays and educational materials to help teachers integrate renewable energy learning opportunities into the classroom.

The system, valued at $20,000, is connected to the school’s electrical system and to Internetbased monitoring equipment, so students can study the panels’ real-time electricity production.

SunSense is a partnership between Progress Energy and the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation, an initiative of the National Hockey League franchise in Raleigh. The program is designed to encourage middle school- and high-school students to develop innovative energy solutions.

“These students are tomorrow’s energy leaders, and we’re proud to partner with the Carolina Hurricanes to provide this unique, powerful tool for learning about the practical applications of solar energy,” says Melody BirminghamByrd, regional vice president of Progress Energy. “We believe costeffective and reliable renewable energy will play an important role in meeting the challenges of global climate change and growing energy demand.”

“Anything that the school system can do to teach our students the value of reducing our dependence on non-renewable

energy resources will strengthen our nation,” says Larry Jackson, superintendent of Florence School District 1.

Visit Progress Energy’s website at www.progress-energy.com and search “Carolinas Solar Schools Program” for more information. For more about the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation, go to hurricanes.nhl.com.

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Florence

Health

A Picture of Health Pee Dee offers families ample choices in health care

Story by Melanie Hill Photography by Todd Bennett

H

ealth-care options in Florence County are as diverse as the region itself. In the midst of a tough economy, two area hospitals are flourishing, discovering new ways to meet the growing needs of families in northeastern South Carolina.

McLeod Regional Medical Center and the Carolinas Hospital System – both in Florence – are vital components of the medical community and the local economy. Situated along Florence’s Pamplico Highway, Carolinas Hospital System is a state-of-the-art medical facility that has served the Pee Dee region for generations.

A recent $4 million equipment upgrade means more cancer treatment options for patients and the addition of electrophysiology to the hospital’s thriving cardiac program. In 2009, the system also received accreditation for its Chest Pain Center, where door-toballoon time exceeds national standards.

“One of the leading reasons patients come to the hospital is cardiac problems,” says Jim O’Loughlin, chief executive officer of Carolinas Hospital System. “By having an accredited Chest Pain Center, we’ve demonstrated to the community that

we’ve gone through the rigorous steps to make sure patients get treatment in the most effective manner.”

Recently, the system implemented VIP Express Registration, designed to speed up the check-in process for outpatients and minimize disruptions to their day-to-day schedules. And a system-wide upgrade to electronic medical records now allows physicians easy, online access to patient records.

Also in Florence, McLeod Regional Medical Center has secured an enviable place among the nation’s top hospitals. In 2010, the medical center was recognized by the American Hospital Association for exceptional delivery of patient-centered care with the Quest for Quality Prize, awarded annually to one hospital in the country. McLeod is the first hospital in South Carolina to receive the prestigious honor.

“This type of care is an experience in which the patient is a partner in his or her care,” says Cathy Lee Frederick, associate vice president of Service Excellence for McLeod Health. “It’s medical care that puts the needs of the patient before the needs of the doctor,

Corporate snapshots McLeod Health is a regional referral tertiary care center.

Founded in 1906, McLeod is a locally owned, not-forprofit institution with more than 400 physicians and more than 1,400 nurses.

McLeod Health is one of the largest employers in the region, composed of more than 4,700 employees and nearly 40 medical practices.

Carolinas Hospital System employs 1,800 medical professionals, including more than 300 specialized physicians in every major specialty. The 420-bed hospital system serves a nine-county area with a comprehensive range of services and facilities.

Carolinas Hospital System is one of two hospitals in Florence that offer Pee Dee residents cutting-edge care that puts the patient first.

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that’s not all florence region offers even more health-care options to residents In addition to providing quality care at its two major hospitals, Florence also offers an array of independent clinics and specialized health services – a few of which include: Regency Hospital: Offers intensive care for patients with extended illnesses, multiple injuries, trauma or medical complications. The long-term acute care facility, which operates 40 beds, specializes in treating patients who need ventilator/pulmonary care, wound care, long-term IV therapies and trauma recovery. www.regencyhospital.com HealthSouth Rehabilitation Corporation: Provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, including occupational, physical and respiratory therapy. Located on a 94,000-squarefoot campus, the 88-bed acute medical rehabilitation

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Florence

hospital offers the latest in rehabilitation technology. www.healthsouthflorence.com Southland Health Care Center: Offers immediate and skilled nursing care, respite care and rehabilitative services at an 88-bed facility. Recognized among South Carolina’s best nursing homes in U.S. News and World Report.

Stokes Regional Eye Center: Offers specialized vision care at clinics in Florence and Lake City, including a staff of ophthalmologists who specialize in diabetes, glaucoma, corneal and refractive surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and muscle and retinal surgery. www.stokeseye.com Nightingale’s Nursing: Offers home and personalized nursing care services for seniors in the Pee Dee, including those with Alzheimer’s, strokes and nonmedical issues. www.nightingalesnursing.net

Help Grow Florence County …

KEEP BUSINESS LOCAL

Above: McLeod Regional Medical Center Left: William L. Cauthen, Jr., MD, director of emergency services at Carolinas Hospital System

1402-D Meadors Farm Rd. Florence, SC 29505 (843) 665-7548

www.fieldsconst.com

the nurse or even the hospital.”

McLeod’s commitment to patients is more than a tagline. The promise is evident far beyond the hospital’s sprawling campus and well into the community, where orthopaedic surgeons stand ready from the sidelines at a Friday night football game. And since illness doesn’t always strike during regular business hours, McLeod Urgent Care Centers in Florence and Darlington offer help when – and where – families need it most.

Tranquil, therapeutic gardens provide respite to patients at the McLeod Hospice House, while patients at the comprehensive McLeod Breast Health Center work with an experienced breast health navigator every step of the way.

“There is much to learn and much to accomplish as we seek to improve the health and well-being of the people in our region,” says Rob Colones, president and chief executive officer of McLeod Health. “These are exciting times. These are challenging times.

However, we will remain committed to ongoing improvement processes, care and efficiency for our patients, staff and guests.”

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Florence

Livability

Reaping the Rewards Florence’s downtown revitalization continues to pay off

Story by Heather Johnston Johnson Photography by Todd Bennett

F

lorence’s downtown makeover is giving the South Carolina city a Renaissance style with attention to the arts and commerce, and a nod to hip urban living.

Railroad Town Builds Business A century ago, the downtown area was a bustling railroad community, but decades of suburban sprawl eventually drained away needed commerce. Not content to lose the city’s charm to disuse, leaders from all over the city now band together to bring in more businesses and visitors.

Today there’s a remarkable difference to downtown compared to just five years ago, says Phillip Lookadoo, executive director of Urban

Planning & Development for the City of Florence. He says attitudes are shifting in the city; people who once were skeptical about the success of revitalization efforts are finally seeing the fruit of years of work. Two new grant programs are available to downtown entrepreneurs; one helps business owners who might not otherwise qualify for loans, and downtown developers may be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit. Existing businesses are also recognized for their ability to promote growth.

“We want to capitalize on downtown’s proximity to McLeod Regional Medical Center, which has more than 500,000 annual visitors and is less than a mile from downtown proper,” Lookadoo says.

Cultural Centers Attract Opportunities Beyond business, Florence’s focus on the arts gets people downtown.

Lookadoo says the city’s investment in cultural buildings will reach around $80 million by the time the new performing arts center is completed.

Other recent projects include a theater, museum and library. Annual events have also grown more popular. The Pecan Festival, now in its seventh year, grew from an initial 4,500 attendees to more than 55,000 last year.

The arts continue to generate a dynamic energy downtown. Gregory Fry, president of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, says the recession has been especially tough for artists. The

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is one of several buildings that have sparked a revival of arts and culture in Florence.

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In addition to a stateof-the-art library, downtown Florence offers a museum, a theater, restaurants and other amenities for visitors to explore. A new performing arts center is also under construction.

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Florence

group is in the initial stages of giving out two grants this year to fund local talent. “We’re just trying to get out there and help the community engage in the arts,” he says.

Florence Creates Historic District Another building block in revitalization efforts is the preservation of downtown’s historic buildings. More than 20 buildings recently were designated part of a state historic district, and more buildings are marked for either renovation or preservation. As city leaders capitalize on the city’s aesthetics, businesses are able to attract more employees to the area.

The changes cater to a demographic cornucopia, with hot new nightspots attracting young profes­ sionals and varied entertainment options bringing in families. Jay Lavrinc, managing director of ABB Inc., actively promotes Florence’s charms.

“In my business, we’re looking for younger people with a college degree, and the new downtown amenities – the arts, symphony, nightclubs, bars and restaurants – entice a lot more people to move to Florence,” Lavrinc says.

Downtown Neighborhoods Cultivate Community Civic leaders aren’t content to leave downtown to businesses; motivated neighbors are an active part of the transformation. Alicia Connelly, president of the Timrod Park Neighborhood Association, says residents in the popular downtown neighborhood are making a point to get out and meet each other. They’re working to enhance the area’s natural beauty, which already includes many mature trees, and create community closeness through art shows and organized porch events. The look of the neighborhood’s popular park is also being replicated house by house, so eventually the main streets will all have a park-like feel.

With so many well-received improvements, city leaders are poised to fund more local businesses and publicize the city’s favorable qualities. Lookadoo says further incentive programs could be on the way if a new downtown master plan is approved by the city council.

Tour de Downtown Business Leaders learn Culture, Vision of Florence Downtown Florence’s burgeoning business center is worth an extra look, say civic leaders. As part of a four-phase educational tour of city amenities, members of the community will take guided tours of downtown on trolleys. The “On the Road” program began in October with a special tour highlighting the downtown district and its history for human resource professionals. Future tours will focus on education, health care and Florence’s high quality of life.

Tom Ewart, a member of the Florence Downtown Development Board, says the idea brings together the entire community.

“We want to promote construction, the city’s vision and the newness of downtown that the whole community has been working on for the last 10 years.”

Organizers hope the tours will create a greater awareness of Florence’s past and present cultural treasures, as well as showcase opportunities for future downtown investment.

Participating in the tour “gave me a better understanding of what Florence has to offer,” says Wendy Debowski, an HR business partner for Monster.com.

“Having firsthand knowledge of the city makes it much easier when I’m talking to someone about moving here.”

Dembowski, a newcomer herself who moved to Florence from Boston last year, had explored parts of the downtown, but was surprised by all of the art galleries, restored historical buildings, speciality shops and restaurants she discovered during her trolley ride.

“Downtown areas are gathering places, and bringing those back is key to having a city flourish,” Dembowski says. “Florence has all of the pieces in place to make that happen.”

– Heather Johnston Johnson

Living green starts from the ground up.

Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant. It's easy. That's living healthy and green.

Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon

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Florence

economic profile Population Florence County 2009: 134,208

Business snapshot Florence County offers a diverse economic base, location to major markets, fully developed infrastructure, skilled workforce and strong business climate that position it firmly among the most competitive counties in the country.

2000: 125,761 Change: 6.7% Regional population (2008), 657,010 Population within 60-mile radius, 1,042,013 Households in a 30-mile radius: 109,483

Major Employers McLeod Regional Medical Center, 4,700 Florence School District 1, 2,149 Carolinas Hospital, 1,840 J.P. Morgan Chase, 1,100 Administrators/TRICARE (Blue Cross Blue Shield) PGBA, 1,100 Assurant, 893 Florence County, 782 Wal-Mart, 761 South Carolina DHEC, 496 City of Florence, 489 Francis Marion University, 485 Florence County Disabilities & Special Needs, 350 ACS Technologies, 295 Florence Darlington Technical College, 236

Industrial Employers

Key Industry Sectors

Nan Ya Plastics Corporation America, 830 ESAB Welding and Cutting Products, 575 Honda of South Carolina, 571 QVC, Inc., 500 Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, 466 Roche Carolina, 371 Wellman, 355 McCall Farms, 325 G.E. Medical Systems, 320 Nucor Corp. Vulcraft Division, 314 IFH Foodservice Distribution, 227 Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, 208 Johnson Controls, Inc., 195

Manufacturing, 20.3%

Labor Force Statistics

Median value of home or condo (2008), $135,059

Florence MSA labor force, 64,926 Regional labor force, 232,309 Average wage, $35,730

Health Care, 15.5% Hospitality, 10.3% Wholesale Trade, 5.8% Administrative & Support, 5.5% Finance & Insurance, 5.4% Construction, 5.2% Professional & Technical Services, 3.5% Transportation & Warehousing, 3.2%

Housing Market

Average price of a detached home (2008): $203,777 Median monthly gross rent (2008): $604 Sources:

What’s Online

www.fcedp.com

For more in-depth demographic, statistical and community information on Florence, go to imagesflorence.com.

www.bls.gov

Cain Funeral Home Inc. Palmetto Crematory LLC Traditional services, cremations and transfers to and from Florence.

We have the area’s only on-site crematory.

512 W. Second Loop Rd. • Florence, SC 29505 (843) 665-7177 • www.cainfuneralhome.com

Retail, 16.9%

quickfacts.census.gov city-data.com

Florence Regional Airport Get of f th Get dow e ground. n t o bu s iness.

Choose Florenc e Regiona l Airpor t.

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Fields Construction www.fieldsconst.com Florence-Darlington Technical College www.fdtc.edu Florence Civic Center www.florenceciviccenter.com Florence Regional Airport www.florencescairport.com Francis Marion University www.fmarion.edu

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Florence

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Ad Index

13 ArborOne

37 Assurant Specialty Property

44 Bistro Holdings Inc. DBA – Victor’s Bistro

43 Cain Funeral Home

C2 Carolina Hospital System

42 Francis Marion University

29 GE Healthcare

4 Honda of South Carolina Manufacturing Inc.

13 Johnson Controls

41 Magnolia Mall

42 Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority

21 ERA Leatherman Realty Inc.

44 Powers Properties

4 Progress Energy

37 Fields Construction

33 Florence-Darlington Technical College

3 Safe Federal Credit Union

C4 Florence Civic Center

C3 SCANA Corporation

43 Florence Regional Airport

8 Springhill Suites

by Marriott