P a g e | 1

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

Advance Florence County Progress Newsletter Issue 12 January 2019

From the Florence Morning News: Florence County Progress Annual Membership Luncheon Article written by Ardie Arvidson. Reprinted with permission.

Florence County's capital investment for the 2018 fiscal year was approximately $89.17 million, and 521 jobs were created. Those figures were announced Jan. 17 by Buddy Brand, chairman of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership, at the Annual Membership Luncheon held at SiMT.

Joan Billheimer, vice chairman of Florence County Progress, reported on membership. She said FCP exists primarily to provide private money to the Economic Development Partnership, with 100 percent of that money coming from membership dues. Pacesetter membership makes up 80 percent of the dues received with 88 pacesetter members, Jeff Payne reported in the financial report. Extra event privileges come with this membership.

Frank J. “Buddy” Brand, II, Chairman of FCEDP Jill Lewis, Chairman of FCP

P a g e | 2

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

General members make up the other 20 percent of dues from 141 general members. Twenty-three new members were gained in 2018. “Our success is entirely dependent upon membership,” Billheimer said. She said the secondary purpose of FCP is to foster the participation of all Florence County businesses in an effort to develop and enhance the local and regional economy. Elections were held with only one board position open. Darryl Hall of Darryl Hall Homes was elected to that position. Officers were also voted on by the board. They are Jill Lewis, chairman; Billheimer, vice chairman; and John Bankson, treasurer. The speaker for the luncheon was Shea Tighe, chief engagement officer of STEM

Premier. STEM Premier is a technology company that originated in Charleston with Casey Welch, co-founder and CEO. Tighe said that because Welch could kick a football, he was connected with the right schools and offered certain opportunities. He said Welch wanted to know why the same wasn’t true for those talented in other areas. Hence, the idea for STEM Premier was born to afford those students a way to connect with colleges and employers.

STEM Premier is a virtual hub that brings talent, resources and talent seekers together, Tighe said. He said STEM Premier started with two schools in the Charleston area and has expanded to 400,000-plus users in 50 states and is represented in 20,000 high schools and colleges. He said the company is a pipeline that brings students, colleges, companies and opportunities together. “STEM Premier completes the cycle,” he said. Some of the companies that partner with it to find students to fill their starter programs, entry level positions, internships and other programs are Toyota, Lockheed, BMW, NUCOR, Boeing and others.

Shea Tighe, keynote speaker

P a g e | 3

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

STEM Premier’s focus is to bring the best talent together with opportunity, to connect regional talent with regional opportunities, he said. The company growth will soon be reflected in a name change, Tighe said. The change will reflect the fact that it is no longer just a tool for STEM but for all types of talent. The new name, Tallo, will be launched on Feb. 4.

New Progress Board Member: Darryl Hall

From humble beginnings, Darryl Hall has mastered every aspect of home building. Today Darryl Hall Homes has grown into a regional South Carolina builder of outstanding distinction and reputation. As a leader, he’s earned the respect of fellow builders and has served at the state level as president of the Home Builder’s Association of South Carolina and as president of the Home Builder’s Association of the Greater Pee Dee. “We recognize that people depend on us to provide security. Whether that be jobs, an enduring home structure, or industry leadership. We choose to go the extra mile because it’s right. And good. And it’s who we are,” Hall said. From a simple desire to “build a quality home,” the firm has grown to one which now builds a community, one home at a time, for people in the greater Pee Dee area. Darryl Hall Homes will celebrate 30 years of homebuilding service in May.

P a g e | 4

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

Progress Supports the Education Referendum Economic development is not just about job creation and investment; it is also about raising the standard of living and improving the community and quality of life for all of our citizens. A perfect metaphor for economic development is, “a rising tide raises all boats.” The majority of the economic activity in Florence County occurs when existing industry or business expands. But whether the development is the expansion of existing business or a new business locating in our community, it creates more jobs, provides more money spent in our community, increases the funding of our governments, and creates a more vibrant Florence County. Florence County Progress, an organization of individuals and businesses in Florence County, supports the efforts of our County and our municipalities in attracting new investments. This support comes through our time and financial support. As businesses who want to see our County and its communities grow and prosper, we recognize that one of the key factors in attracting new investment is our school system. Whether the potential investment is looking to expand or bring a new business to Florence, new employees will be needed, and those new employees need to have received a good education. In addition, new businesses who may bring some of those employees from outside the Florence area, will want to locate here, in large part, because their employees have a good quality of life, including excellent schools for their children. A financial commitment to education is of the utmost importance when trying to recruit new prospects and retain current industries. It sends a message to industries that our community is willing to invest in the future talent pipeline and create a community where people want to live and work. Now, more than ever, K-12 education plays a vital role in building the foundation to evolve our workforce of tomorrow. The leadership and employees of Florence School District One are working to build a better environment for the education of our future workforce. These efforts include obtaining funding to improve the facilities in which our children learn. Our commitment now to provide that funding, will mean a more vibrant and successful Florence that competes on the world stage for generations to come. The F1S Education Referendum on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, is our opportunity as a community to invest in our children’s future. An investment that is very much needed. Florence County Progress supports this referendum and encourages all of the citizens of District One to vote in favor of the referendum. A vote for our future and the future of our families.

P a g e | 5

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

Member News Honda of South Carolina Mfg. Launch of All-New Honda Talon Side-by-Side Highlights Growth, Enhanced Capabilities

Associates at Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) today celebrated the start of mass production of the all-new Talon sport side-by-side. HSC, which marked its 20th anniversary in 2018, makes all-terrain vehicles and is the exclusive global production source for Honda side-by-side vehicles. The Honda Talon 1000X and 1000R, two new entries into the fast-growing sport side-by-side segment, highlight the skill and dedication of the engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Raymond, Ohio, who developed the Honda Talon and the experienced workforce who build it at Honda of South Carolina Mfg. In an effort to meet growing demand for side-by-side vehicles, HSC completed a $45 million expansion project in 2018 that added 250 new jobs and 115,000 square feet of space. The project included a new weld area and a new paint line to enhance quality and color variations, along with new buildings and expansions to improve production efficiency. The plant also added automated guided carriers and lift-assist devices to support quality, logistics, safety and ergonomic improvements for associates. McLeod Health to Unveil William H. Johnson Street Sign McLeod Health will dedicate a street on the campus of McLeod Regional Medical Center, named in honor of world-renowned artist and Florence native William H. Johnson, on Friday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. McLeod, in coordination with city, county and State Department of Transportation officials, determined to recognize Johnson, considered by academics to be one of the

P a g e | 6

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

top ten most important American Artists of the 20th century, by commemorating his birthplace on the McLeod Medical Mile. The unveiling of a William H. Johnson Street sign is scheduled with a short ceremony to be held on the 200 block of East Cheves Street, property adjacent to the new road connector between Cheves and Palmetto Streets, which opens for patient convenience in February.

William H. Johnson, born in 1901 on the very block of the dedication ceremony, is considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. McLeod Health, which received permission from both the Smithsonian Museum and the Florence County Museum, houses 12 important reproductions of his art from a variety of periods permanently on display in the McLeod Medical Plaza Conference Center.

Carolinas Hospital System Announces Wound Center Collaboration

Carolinas Hospital System is excited to announce our collaboration with Healogics, the nation’s leading provider of advanced, chronic wound care services. Healogics is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and has a nationwide network of nearly 700 Wound Care Centers®.

For more information about wound care, visit CarolinasHospital.com. For more information on Healogics, visit Healogics.com.

Front row (l-r) Rosalind Gray, Costa Cockfield, Vance Reynolds, Jennifer Pooley, Micki Cook, Patricia Hudson and David Schrader Back row (l-r) Amy Turner, Kyle Baxter, Doritha Davis and Traci Graham

P a g e | 7

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

New Members

Dominion Energy, Columbia Bronze Pacesetter

Dominion Energy is built on a proud legacy of public service, innovation and community involvement. Dominion Energy and its 21,000 employees invest in the communities where they live and work and practice responsible environmental stewardship wherever they operate.

Law Office of Linward Edwards II, Florence

The Law Office of Linward C. Edwards II prides itself on providing individualized attention as well as empowering clients with information. Whether cases are resolved through settlement or litigation, the team members at the Law Office of Linward C. Edwards II are committed to providing the necessary expertise and strategy to succeed. Learn more about the firm by browsing their website or requesting a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact Linward Edwards II at linward@ledwardslaw.com or 843-410-9605.

Upcoming Events 17th Annual Florence County Legislative Day Wednesday, Feb. 13 Columbia Museum of Art 6 – 8 PM Florence County Progress and Florence County Economic Development Partnership will host the annual Florence County Legislative Day Wednesday, Feb. 13, in Columbia. A luncheon (invitation only) will be held at the Palmetto Club, 1231 Sumter St., beginning at 1 p.m., but guests are invited to arrive as early as noon. The Palmetto Club enforces a dress code (collared shirt, neat pants and non-athletic shoes for men; similarly appropriate attire for women). The day will conclude with a reception at the Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. All members are invited. Please RSVP to cpackett@florenceco.org or 843-676-8796.

P a g e | 8

PO Box 100549, Florence, SC 29502 | 843-676-8796 www.florencecoprogress.com

Coastal and Pee Dee Economic Development Summit Wednesday, Feb. 20 SiMT 9 AM – 12:30 PM