Florence County Economic Development Partnership

Exciting News from Progress Member FBi Construction! 🚛 FBi Construction, Inc. completed the ARD Trucking facility earlier this year, check out the final project photos! This new facility will meet ARD Trucking's needs for years to come. It is a testament to their continued growth and dedication to providing reliable transport services across the US. #FBiConstruction #ARDTrucking #ProjectCompletion #DesignBuild #ReliableTransport #FlorenceCountyProgress

🌟 Welcome Pee Dee Hearing Center to Florence County Progress! 🌟 We are delighted to welcome Pee Dee Hearing Center as a new member of Florence County Progress! Established in 1968, Pee Dee Hearing Center has been dedicated to assisting those with hearing problems for over five decades. Initially, the center housed a very active preschool for the hearing impaired, along with a full diagnostic audiology clinic. Today, while the preschool services have transitioned to public schools and other government agencies, Pee Dee Hearing Center continues to provide exceptional audiology services. In addition to their core services, Pee Dee Hearing Center has introduced an outreach hearing conservation program designed to prevent hearing loss due to excessive noise exposure. Pee Dee Hearing Center thrives in the Pee Dee region and beyond, staffed by a well-trained and experienced team who believe that effective communication is an essential human need and a basic human right. Without it, no individual or community can exist or prosper. Join us in welcoming Pee Dee Hearing Center to our Progress family! #NewMember #FlorenceCountyProgress #PeeDeeHearingCenter #CommunityGrowth #HearingHealth

🎆 Happy Fourth of July from FCEDP! 🎆 Wishing everyone a joyful and safe Independence Day filled with celebration, family, and fun! As we honor the spirit of freedom and unity, let's take a moment to appreciate the vibrant community we share and the opportunities that make Florence County a great place to live, work, and play. Enjoy the festivities, fireworks, and all the wonderful moments this holiday brings. Happy Fourth of July! #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #FCEDP #CommunityPride #CelebrateTogether

🌟 Welcome HM Advisors to Florence County Progress! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that HM Advisors, an independent insurance agency based in Warner Robins, Georgia, has opened a new location in Florence, South Carolina! 📣 Adam Martin, CWCA, the Florence Market Leader, is excited to lead this new branch in a territory he and his wife, Brooke, know well. "Florence has always been home for us, and we're beyond excited to reconnect with clients, friends, and family," says Adam. HM Advisors specializes in long-term strategies to ensure business owners' security and financial health, offering a fresh approach to personal and commercial insurance. Join us in welcoming HM Advisors to our Progress family! #NewMember #FlorenceCountyProgress #HMAdvisors #CommunityGrowth #InsuranceSolutions

SC Ports Moving Forward with ILA to Reopen HLT SC Ports has reached an agreement with the International Longshoremen’s Association that will allow us to reopen Leatherman Terminal together, unleashing significant new capacity in the Port of Charleston. Joint statement from SC Ports and the ILA: “SC Ports and ILA proudly announce that after productive and collaborative conversations, we have mutually developed and agreed to the framework for an operating agreement that will create long-term stability and competitiveness for the Port of Charleston while providing an enhanced product. More importantly, SC Ports and ILA worked together to protect jobs to create a seamless transition toward a future that recognizes a trained and experienced workforce across all SC Ports’ terminals. SC Ports and ILA are ready to welcome our USMX partners at the Leatherman Terminal for many years to come without hesitation as all obstacles to operations have been removed.”

South Carolina: Launching a Legacy January 2024 ushered in a new era for South Carolina's economic development strategy. To build upon decades of economic development achievement while aligning the state for long-term competitiveness, the South Carolina Department of Commerce unveiled its new brand and tagline, "Launch to Legacy" during the first-ever Governor's Economic Summit. An EVolving Automotive Industry The southern region of the United States is known as the battery belt – with South Carolina often referred to as the “buckle.” It is one of only a few states to have every phase of the battery lifecycle. Close proximity to battery suppliers helps drive investment interest from automotive companies needing a manufacturing home for their EV sectors. Positioned halfway between New York and Miami and within 1,000 miles of nearly 70 percent of the total U.S. population, South Carolina’s location helps companies provide electric vehicles to the world. In December 2022, AESC, a world-leading battery technology company, announced it was bringing 1,170 jobs to Florence County. Through an $810 million investment, the company is establishing operations and planning to supply battery cells to be used in electric vehicles produced at BMW Plant Spartanburg. One year later, and six months after the company broke ground, AESC announced an additional $810 million investment and 450 more jobs. The company grew its intended investment by $1.5 billion in March 2024, announcing plans for a second EV battery manufacturing facility to supply EV battery components for BMW Group’s Mexico assembly operations. The additional facility will create 1,080 new jobs. In total, AESC has committed a capital investment of $3.12 billion, supporting 2,700 new jobs. https://lnkd.in/g_z7QPRf

MUSC helps Kids Eat Free in the Pee Dee this Summer MUSC Health Florence/Marion/Black River Medical Centers are the first MUSC Health hospitals outside of Charleston to join MUSC’s longstanding Kids Eat Free program providing lunch meals to all children 18 years and younger during the entire month of July. “MUSC recognizes that excellent health care is not only about medical care,” said Merrette Dowdell, MUSC External Affairs & Strategic Engagement Manager. “We are proud to open our hospital cafeterias to the children of the Pee Dee because we believe food is medicine. A healthy community does not start in the Emergency Department.” This USDA-sponsored program ensures children have access to nutritious food when school is not in session by providing lunch to children in our cafeterias at no cost to the families or the enterprise. MUSC is proud to be the first hospital in South Carolina to ever participate in this summer feeding program, serving over 42,000 meals since 2015. The following MUSC Health locations are open to all children 18 years and younger. MUSC does not require financial verification of need. Community members who meet this age requirement will be served. All locations are open Monday through Friday during the times listed below. Location Address Time MUSC Health Florence Medical Center 805 Pamplico Hwy Florence, SC 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. MUSC Health Marion Medical Center 2829 US-76 Mullins, SC 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. MUSC Health Black River Medical Center 3555 Williamsburg Hwy Cades, SC 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about Kids Eat Free at MUSC can contact Merrette Dowdell at (843) 674-2517.

🌳 Exciting Updates for Florence County Parks! 🌳 We are thrilled that Florence County Parks & Recreation is helping several Florence County parks receive brand-new playgrounds! The updates will begin on July 9th, with installations happening one at a time. Parks Receiving New Playgrounds: Lake City on W Main Olanta Lynches River Athletic Complex Francis Marion Pamplico Johnsonville Reopening of these sites will be done as quickly as possible so the community can enjoy the new and improved facilities. Stay tuned for updates on the progress and reopening dates. Thank you for your patience and support as they enhance our parks for everyone to enjoy! #FlorenceCountyParks #CommunityUpdates #PlaygroundRenovations #FamilyFun

Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd’s Statement- May 2024 Employment Situation “In May, employers reported an increase of 3,300 in payroll, and the number of employed rose by about 2,000 people, continuing the record climb to 2,406,502. The labor force also grew by nearly 6,000 as more people entered the workforce looking for employment, with the labor force participation rate holding at 57.2%. While still low, the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.4% from last month's estimate of 3.2%,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd. “The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in 2022 and 2023 aimed at reducing inflation. The state’s unemployment rate might now be reflecting the result of those actions, and we see this in the national numbers as well. We will continue closely monitoring our state’s unemployment rate.” “When working with jobseekers, we frequently see that unemployment leads to opportunity. South Carolina has the fifth-highest job opening rate in the country. Business is booming with new and expanding needs. And there are schools, training programs, assessments, and more to help jobseekers pivot their skills to fill these jobs,” said Floyd. “South Carolina’s dynamic employment landscape is ripe with prospects and career growth, and the resources of the SC Works centers are ready to help connect individuals looking for work with businesses actively hiring,” concluded Floyd. https://lnkd.in/eH5MD95C

🌟 Congratulations, Otis! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Otis has been named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2024 by TIME! 🎉🌍 This incredible achievement highlights Otis's unwavering commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Through core values, culture, and long-term strategy, Otis strives to lead positive change in the industry and beyond. Sustainability Efforts Include: Innovative practices to reduce environmental footprint Promoting social responsibility and community engagement Upholding strong governance and ethical standards We are proud of Otis's journey and excited about the future as they continue to make a difference. Click the link below to learn more about Otis's ongoing efforts and how they are paving the way for a sustainable future. https://lnkd.in/ejb-7yRd