northeast south carolina development guide 2012

8/3/2019 Northeast South Carolina Development Guide 2012

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http://www.wiltech.edu/http://www.netc.edu/http://www.fdtc.edu/


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http://www.nesasc.org/mailto:[email protected]


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2012 Ed i t ion , vo lumE 1

Editorial projEct managEr emily m mackincontEnt dirEctor Bill m meekinproofrEading managEr raven petty contEnt coordinator Jessica walkerStaff WritEr kevin litwincopy Editor Jill wyattcontributing WritErS pamela coyle, dan hieB, Bill lewis,karen schwartzman, Betsy williamsSEnior graphic dESignErS laura gallagher,Janine maryland, kris sexton, vikki williamsgraphic dESignErS rachael gerringer, taylor nunley SEnior photographErS JeFF adkins, Brian m cordStaff photographErS todd Bennett, antony Boshiercolor imaging tEchnician alison hunterExEcutivE intEgratEd mEdia managEr suzi m gruderad production managEr katie middendorFad traffic aSSiStantS krystin lemmon, patricia moisan

chairman greg thurmanprESidEnt/publiShEr BoB schwartzmanExEcutivE vicE prESidEnt ray langenSEnior v.p./SalES todd potterSEnior v.p./opErationS casey hester

SEnior v.p./cliEnt dEvElopmEnt JeFF heeFnerSEnior v.p./buSinESS dEvElopmEnt scott templetonSEnior v.p./agribuSinESS publiShing kim holmBerg

v.p./buSinESS dEvElopmEnt charles FitzgiBBon v.p./ExtErnal communicationS teree caruthers v.p./viSual contEnt mark Forester v.p./contEnt opErationS natasha lorens v.p./travEl publiShing susan chappell v.p./SalES herB harper, Jarek swekosky controllEr chris dudley SEnior accountant lisa owensaccountS payablE coordinator maria m FarlandaccountS rEcEivablE coordinator diana guzmanSalES Support projEct managEr sara quintSalES Support coordinator alex marksi.t. dirEctor yancey BondSyStEm adminiStrator daniel cantrellWEb contEnt managEr John hoodWEb projEct managEr noy Fongnaly WEb dESignEr ii richard stevens

WEb dEvElopEr i yamel hall, nels noseworthy WEb account managEr lauren euBankphotography dirEctor JeFFrey s. ottomEdia tEchnology dirEctor christina cardenmEdia tEchnology analyStS Becca ary,chandra BradshawaudiEncE dEvElopmEnt dirEctor deanna nelsonlivability.com product managEr allison davismarkEting crEativE dirEctor keith harrisdiStribution dirEctor gary smithExEcutivE SEcrEtary kristy duncanhuman rESourcES managEr peggy BlakerEcEptioniSt linda Bishop

North Eastern South Carolina Economic Development Guide b b J c i .

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For More InForMatIon, ContaCt:t n e s ap.o. B 100547 F , sc 29502p : (843) 661-4669 F : (843) 661-1293

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n e o t H C a r o I n a e C o n o M I C D e v e o M e n t . C o M 3

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e t eaFooDIn tHe tateCraving seafood? For the best Lowcountry cuisine, visitMurrells Inlet, the Seafood Capital of South Carolina.Just 10 miles south of Myrtle Beach, this historic fishingvillage in Georgetown County serves up a large selection ofseafood restaurants along its scenic saltwater Marsh Walk,including Bovines, Captain Daves Dockside, Creek Ratz,Dead Dog Saloon, Divine Fish House, Drunken Jacks, LeesInlet Kitchen, Spuds Waterfront Dining and Wahoos RawBar. Are you a shrimp connoisseur? Feast on succulentbrownies, or brown shrimp, in Georgetown. One of four

major shrimping centers on the East Coast , the town is atop producer of brown Mid- Atlantic shrimp known for theirbold flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

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mailto:[email protected]://www.chesterfieldcountysc.org/


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a too For FreeDoMHundreds of thousands of pounds of filler metalsproduced in Florence by ESAB Welding & CuttingProducts help hold together the structure of 1 WorldTrade Center currently under construction on theformer World Trade Center site destroyed in the9/11 attacks. ESAB is providing all the welding fillermetals for Tower 1, which will stand 107 stories and1,776 feet tall, plus the company is also supplyingall of the filler metals for a Tower 4 that will stand65 stories. Tower 1 is being built to withstand a jetfuel-filled plane crashing into it, and ESAB makes acomplete line of seismic-certified products forconstructing these kind of buildings .

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Business Climate

G d G worth astern South caro na o ersr e ate or n est ent

s b Bill Lewis p bTodd Bennett

When global technology and industrial company Johnson Controls wassearching for a site for its neweststate-of-the-art battery recyclingfacility, it came to the sameconclusion dozens of other advancedmanufacturing companies havereached there is no better placethan the North Eastern StrategicAlliance (NESA) Region of South Carolina.

Low taxes, a pro-businessclimate, a dedicated workforce,proximity to Atlantic ports andwell-developed infrastructuremake the nine-county NESARegion the perfect location forgrowing businesses. Distinctadvantages of the region includeelectrical, construction, landand labor costs lower than the

national average, water systemswith millions of gallons per day of excess capacity and

telecommunications providersthat offer broadband service withavailable SONET (synchronousoptical networking), T-1 lines andself-healing networks.

The regions extensivetransportation network covers twoairports, Class I rail service, quickaccess to East Coast ports and twointerstates I-95 and I-20. Proposedplans for another interstate, I-73,would connect Myrtle Beach withMichigan, opening up even moreeconomic opportunity.

Those are just a few of thereasons why Johnson Controlsis investing $150 million in itsfully integrated battery recyclingfacility in Florence, where it iscreating up to 250 direct jobsand 1,000 indirect jobs.

a Ine -FrIenD Y reGIonOur decision to build a state-of-the-art recycling center in

Florence demonstrates ourcommitment to the environmentand the region, says AlexMolinaroli, president of JohnsonControls Power Solutions. Wechose this area because it is ideally situated to serve our existingmanufacturing facilities in Oconeeand Winston-Salem, and there is anoticeable gap in recycling serviceto the Mid-Atlantic region.

Through our existingoperations, we have been very impressed with the quality of theworkforce and the quality of lifethe state provides, he continues.

Worldwide packaging solutionscompany Sonoco, which operatesits global headquarters inHartsville, has invested in theregion for years.

Sonocos history in South

Carolina dates back to 1899, saysHarris E. DeLoach, Sonoco CEOand chairman. Weve been in the


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fortunate position to not only grow andexpand our operations within the statebut also globally. And even moreimportantly, weve had the opportunity,as one of the largest companies in SouthCarolina, to influence and work with thestate to improve the business climate.

The company has benefited from theregions infrastructure, including ports,railways and interstate highways, but wehave always believed that it is importantto give back to the communities in whichwe live and operate, DeLoach says. Wehave close ties with local schools,including the South Carolina GovernorsSchool for Science and Mathematics andCoker College, and state schools, such asthe University of South Carolina andClemson University, where we helpedfund the Sonoco Institute of PackagingDesign and Graphics.

HoMe to DIver e InD trIeThe region boasts a strong track recordas a center for manufacturing and

distribution for Fortune 500 companiesand others, but it is also becoming amagnet for call centers, aerospacecompanies and manufacturersspecializing in plastics and greenproducts. Recent arrivals include:

Otis Elevator is investing $40 millionand creating at least 360 jobs at its newfacility in Florence.

5-STAR USA, a venture capitalstart-up, is locating its headquarters inBennettsville and investing $25 millionto set up a manufacturing campus tosupport new businesses.

ECAPS, which makes sustainablealuminum composite materials, isinvesting $3.4 million in its facility inBennettsville, where it expects to create150 jobs.

Carolina AAC , a producer of energy-efficient concrete, is investing $16 millionand creating 36 jobs at its new facility.

3V Incorporated , a globalmanufacturer of specialty chemicals, isinvesting $15 million to expand its

Top-NoTch TraiNiNgceNTer SupporTSMaNufacTurerS

The Southeastern Instituteof Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT) is thepremier technical serviceprovider and training facility for industry in theSoutheast. The first facility of its kind in the U.S., SiMT islocated on a 146-acrecampus in Florence, where itprovides engineering/CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping and3D/virtual reality services,as well as leading-edgemanufacturing workforcedevelopment and businessprocess training.


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regioNS TopiNveSTMeNTSiN 2011 Carolina AAC: 36 jobs,

$16M investment

American Luxury Coach:

40 jobs 3V Incorporated: 30

jobs, $15M investment

ECAPS Corp.: 150 jobs,$3.4M investment

Schaeffler Group USA:100 jobs, $10Minvestment

Otis Elevator Co.: 360 jobs, $40M investment

Dillon FurnitureManufacturing Co.: 107 jobs, $2.6M investment

PolyQuest Inc.: 20 jobs,$8M investment

5-STAR USA: 1,000 jobs,$25M investment

JBE Inc.: 30 jobs

Sonoco: 10 jobs, $100Minvestment

SafeRack LLC: 58 jobs,$9M investment

Georgetown facility and create 30engineering and technician jobs.

PolyQuest , which distributes recycledPET used in plastic packaging andautomotive products, recently expandedfor the seventh time in the past decade,investing $8 million to increase capacity at

its Darlington plant and creating 20 jobs.Monster.com is the latest global callcenter to locate in the region, and QVCis one of several national distributors that has expanded in the area recently.The region has also attracted an influxof food production companies, includingHeinz. Designated as one of the U.S.Department of Agricultures (USDA)Great Regions, the area was awardeda Rural Business Opportunity Grantfrom the USDA, which NESA willuse in its efforts to recruit moreagribusiness companies.

GeareD For GroWtHWith more than a million people

within 60 miles of its center, the NESARegion is best known for its productiveworkforce, which has continued to growin proportion to an increasing population.Regional technical schools, colleges and

universities, including the premierSoutheastern Institute of Manufacturingand Technology (SiMT), partner withindustries to produce highly skilled workers.Employers can also take advantage of thestates ReadySC program, which providesfree job recruiting, screening

and training through the SouthCarolina Technical College System.NESA is committed to the success of

the region and the businesses that investhere, says Executive Director Jeff McKay.

I feel strongly that part of theconsideration in bringing any company to our region is that NESA and all of ourpartners at the local and state level willmake sure that we are working closely with prospective employers well past theinitial point of agreement, through theentire, often challenging process of makingsuch an investment, McKay says.

We believe that by seeking out eachand every prospective opportunity,regardless of what may or may not fitinto our preconceived notions aboutmodern industry, we will maximize oureconomic development success and f indthose companies for whom the NESAregion is the best fit, he continues.

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S e , r en y wor or eraws o a a enters toorth astern South caro na

s b Betsy Williams

J ust like much of the South,people in the North EasternStrategic Alliance (NESA)Region of South Carolina areknown for their friendliness.Combine that natural trait withcustomer service skills, educationand work ethic, and its no surprisethe region is a magnet for callcenters for global companies likeMonster.com, Assurant, Sykes,BlueCross BlueShield, ADP, JPMorgan Chase, Safe Auto, andothers with national andinternational clients.

In 2009, leading global onlinecareer and recruitment resourceMonster.com invested $28 millionto locate a customer support

center in the Florence region. Thecompany currently employs 250and has plans to expand to 750 jobs over the next several years.

IteD For ervICeWe were outsourcing a portion

of our North America servicesoverseas, says Jeremy Curley,director of global services forMonster.com. The initialreason we began to look for anew location was to bring these jobs back to the states to improvequality and scalability. We lookedat more than 3,000 locations, butthere are some key assets thatmade Florence stand out.

Specifically, the region offered:

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Skilled, available workers:

Along with graduates of theregions seven technical schools,colleges and universities,companies can pull from 52,000workers in the hospitality industry who are trained in sales andcustomer service and retention.South Carolina is also locatedin a right-to-work state, and itsReadySC program offers free job training through the SouthCarolina Technical College System.The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT) in Florence also offersworkforce training.

Exceptional infrastructure:Reliable, efficient electricity andtelecommunications networks givethis region an edge. An array of existing buildings can be easily adapted to call centers. Key sitesfor call centers include the WestEvans Call Center building inFlorence County and the Compass

Center in Horry County.Business-friendly incentives: Job development credits, job tax

credits, sales and use exemptions,

fee-in-lieu of property taxes andspecial source revenue credits areoffered to qualifying investments.

Those assets are bringingmore businesses to the regionsburgeoning call center industry,which currently employs about3,000 people at more than 20companies, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Carolinaand Assurant, a Fortune 500company that handles specializedinsurance products nationally andinternationally. BCBS operatestwo major customer servicecenters in the region, with 825employees in Myrtle Beach and1,000 in Florence, and Assurantrecently grew its service center by 200 employees, bringing its totalemployment to 800 in the region.

eo e Ma e tHe DIFFerenCeThe workforce is really

something that sets this

community apart, Curley says.The workforce here has theskill set that we need to continue

to build and expand the

capabilities of our site.Sykes Enterprises Inc., whichhas brought more than 500 jobs tothe region, also cites the workforceas instrumental in the companyschoice of location. Sykes clientbase consists of Fortune 1000companies from around the world,primarily in the communications,financial services, health-care,technology, and transportationand leisure industries.

The labor market (in theregion) is filled with hardworkingand intell igent people, saysAndrea B. Thomas, corporatecommunications director of Sykes Enterprises. As a people-intensive, customer-care business,this type of labor market isimportant to our success.

Curley says the region offersa lasting partnership forbusinesses. Leaders here arenot just committed to getting you

here, but also to integrating youinto the community and ensuring your long-term success, he says.

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Cooperative, Sandhills ElectricCooperative, Time Warner Cableand Verizon offer fast, reliablebroadband networks, with availableSONET (synchronous opticalnetworking), T-1 lines andself-healing networks.

The NESA Region also has anabundance of water, with aquifersthat provide millions of gallonsper day in excess capacity. Siteslike National Choice Bakery (LEV)

in Chesterfield County sit onaquifers and use them for anunlimited supply of clean water.

InCentIve , Coo eratIonrInG Inve tMentRegional electricity rates are

lower than the U.S. average, andmany sites are dual served withuninterrupted power solutions(UPS) and backup powergeneration. Close cooperationamong key stakeholders sets theregion apart and makes relocationor expansion easy for companies.The South Carolina Power Team,an economic development all ianceof Santee Cooper and its 20cooperatives, helps set the tone.

These businesses are in somesense competitive, but they alsosee that attracting jobs, payrollsand companies to our state should


orth astern South caro na o ers r hresour es or re o at n , ex an n o an es

F or one region in a smallstate, North Eastern SouthCarolina is packed withenergy. Served by investor-ownedProgress Energy as well as state-owned Santee Cooper via Horry Electric Cooperative, Lynches RiverCooperative, Pee Dee ElectricCooperative, Marlboro ElectricCooperative and Santee ElectricCooperative, the North EasternStrategic Alliance (NESA) Region

boasts some of the lowest energy rates in the U.S., and its utilitieswork with local, regional and stateofficials to attract new businessesand help existing ones expand.

Beyond energy, the regions richtelecommunications infrastructurealso makes the area attractive fora range of industries, from foodmanufacturers to call centers.AT&T, Farmers TelephoneCooperative, Horry Telephone

w l y s

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Energy / Technology

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be done aggressively and for thegood of all, says Ralph Thomas,CEO of the SC Power Team.

DIver e rovIDer , one GoaAs a regulated utility, Progress

Energy builds in flexibility fornew or expanding businesses aspart of the rate approval process.Rate options include small, mediumand large general service and timeof use schedules, and the companysexperts work with commercial andindustrial clients to determine acost-effective fit, says Stuart Ames,manager of economic developmentat Progress Energy.

In this climate, companiesare very concerned about risk,and this is one area where they know what their costs will be,he says. We can offer peace of mind on this one item.

InCentIve Weeten DeaProgress Energy also leverages

state programs and relationshipswith private co-ops and publicofficials to help close deals. Forexample, Progress is providingstandby power service to the

Florence Industrial Center,where Otis Elevator is investing$25 million. Reliable, redundantpower at Florences Countys new$150 million Johnson Controlsfacility helped secure its battery recycling project. Both companieswill save money through theutilitys Economic DevelopmentRider, which discounts demandrates for five years.

South Carolinas license feecredit program has been a factorin regional projects in which theutility is a partner. The programallows a credit against a utilitysstate business license fees when itinvests funds to support job-creatingeconomic development projects. Evenin a tepid economy, energy incentivesand pent-up demand for new projectsare persuading prospective companiesto look at the NESA Region, wherecooperation is still king.

You dont get anywherefighting each other, Ames says.The bottom line is aboutproviding jobs.
http://progress-energy.com/economic


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Transportation

or or e, o st a a anta esraw ajor str utors to re on

With its strategic locationhalfway between Miamiand New York and

exceptional transportation system,the North Eastern StrategicAlliance (NESA) Region of SouthCarolina is becoming a hub forcompanies looking to save money while moving products quickly throughout the U.S. and beyond.

The region is home to severalnationally known distribution and

logistics companies, including:QVC, which ships 1,000 packagesan hour out of its 1.4-million-square-foot Florence fulfillmentcenter; Institutional Food House,which services the Southeast fromits 340,000-square-foot Florencewarehouse; Pepsi-Cola, which hasfive distribution centers in theregion; CitiTrends, which housesone of two nationwide clothingdistribution centers in Darlington;

Harbor Freight Tools, a tooldistributor in Dillon; and Wal-Mart, which operates a grocery distribution center in Pagelandthree times the size of one of its superstores.

a DI trI tIon DreaMThese companies have come

to the region for several reasons:inexpensive real estate, anaffordable workforce, appealing

th r d

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s b Dan Hieb

Cl ckwis f m t p: i-95, f b n y m , nesa r ; t p f g ff , ; d b 350 f c i

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Br i a n m cord


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incentives and a wealth of transportation options. Toplogistical advantages of theregion include:

Proximity to major U.S.markets: The NESA Region sits

halfway between New York City and Miami on Interstate 95,allowing companies to reach mostof the Eastern Seaboard withineight hours. Interstate 20 offerssimilarly fast access to cities acrossthe Southeast, from Atlanta toDallas. Plans are in the works foranother interstate, I-73, that wouldprovide direct access to the GreatLakes region.

International shipping: The Port of Georgetown providesinternational cargo shipping aswell as open and covered storage.The bulkbreak port has four berthsand a direct on-terminal CSX railconnection. The region also offersmore than 350 miles of Class I railservice with access to the Port of Charleston, which provides directconnections to Eastern marketsand five terminals three container,two bulkbreak. The terminals offeraccess to five interstates and the

ability to handle post-Panamaxvessels. Shippers can also takeadvantage of nearby ports inWilmington, N.C., Savannah,Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla.

Access to airports : FlorenceRegional Airport serves commercial jets and private aircraft, as doesMyrtle Beach International Airport,which recently opened a newgeneral aviation terminal andis expanding other terminals tokeep up with increased air traff ic.International airports are alsoavailable in nearby Columbia,Charleston and Charlotte.

Along with a well-connectedtransportation network, locationsin North Eastern South Carolinaare also inexpensive, with fully served sites costing as little as$3,500 an acre complemented by incentive packages, including taxcredits of up to $9,000 per job.Many sites also offer interstate

and four-lane highway frontage.Easy access to key U.S. marketsand the quality of the workforce B r

i a n

m c o r d

photo courtesy oF marvin preston/south carolina state ports authori ty


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http://[email protected]/http://www.thecarolinasi95megasite.com/


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are the two biggest reasonsInstitution Food House thelargest food service distributorin the Southeast has continuedto operate out of the region,says Marion Ford, director of operations for IFHs Florencedistribution center.

There are a lot of good workershere, Ford says, noting that thedecline of tobacco and textiletrades that once dominated theregion has left many diligent,eager workers.

an ex erIenCeD Wor ForCeMore than a million people live

within 60 miles of Florence, theregions geographic center and whereI-95 and I-20 intersect. Thousandsof these workers are experienced inwarehousing and distribution, andtheir desired median wage is just$10.75 an hour.

Not only can employers tapinto the existing talent pool, butthey can also rely on one of thenations oldest and best workforcedevelopment programs, ReadySC.Created by the state in 1961, theprogram provides fast, cost-

effective training tailored toemployers needs. The regionslabor market is ideal for employers,Ford says.

Since this is a right-to-workstate, you dont have a lot of theorganized labor that impedes what

you need to do, he says. Thebusiness climate is also good foreconomic development. Theres nota lot of posturing. Weve got a lotof businesspeople who have goneinto politics, and they understandwhat businesses need.

p f g , g , s.c. p h o t o

c o u r t e s y o F s o u t h

c a r o l i n a p o r t s a u t h o r i t y



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Education

e ona o e es, un ers t es o er wor o o ortun t es, enr h ent

Home to four technical

colleges and three liberalarts institutions, SouthCarolinas North Eastern StrategicAlliance (NESA) Region producesa steady stream of highly skilledgraduates, cultural enrichmentand world-class workforce trainingprograms. Colleges and universitiesin the region are known for theirpartnerships with each other andlocal industries.

One top university recognizedby Forbes as one of Americas100 Best College Buys andAmericas Best Colleges isCoastal Carolina University,which provides students with60 degree options and recently introduced programs inbiochemistry, economics,information systems, healthadministration and accounting.Known for its coastal marineand wetland studies, the Horry

County-based university is one

of several local organizationsworking to promote thedevelopment of offshorewind energy on the SouthAtlantic seaboard.

With more than 700 students,Coker College in Hartsville brokeenrollment records in 2011 andwas ranked among the BestColleges in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report andThe Princeton Review. Thecollege, recognized nationally for its interactive-based curriculum,recently added a campus in Marionwhere students can earn degreesin business, social work andsociology/criminology.

oo tInG Ine , C t reU.S. News & World Report

has consistently ranked FrancisMarion University (FMU) inFlorence as one of the top

i c f Mi d

s b Kevin Litwin

c c u ff 60 f . t h c -b

b bForbes f a B c . t o d d

B e n n e t t

educaTioN

iN The NeSaregioN: By

The NuMBerS

7Number of universities,colleges and technicalschools in the region

74%Percentage of residents with a high-schooleducation or higher

53,595Number of residents witha bachelors degree

27,339Number of residents with a graduate degree

Source: The NorthEastern Strategic

Alliance,www.nesasc.org
http://www.nesasc.org/http://www.nesasc.org/


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universities in the South for business,thanks to its on-campus Small BusinessInstitute and Center for Entrepreneurship.This fall, FMU also opened a $32 millionperforming arts center in downtownFlorence to provide a concert, theater,dance and lecture venue for national,regional and local performing artists.After a decade of planning and half adecade of fund-raising and construction,the center is finally here, says FMUPresident Fred Carter.

Wor D-C a teCH traInInGThe NESA Region is home to Florence-

Darlington Technical College (FDTC),which offers 75 areas of study and

provides contract job training forthousands of employers and potentialemployees in engineering, technology and

health-care fields through its SoutheasternInstitute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT). SiMT is adding a $4 millionbusiness incubation center to its facility with hopes of launching newmanufacturing companies.

nIver ItY, InD trY artner HIFDTC is also partnering with Francis

Marion University and Coastal CarolinaUniversity to offer business, nursingand entrepreneurship courses in

Marion County.With campuses in Conway, Georgetown

and Myrtle Beach, Horry-GeorgetownTechnical College has 70 associatedegrees and certificate programs of

study and provides workforce trainingpartnerships for students interested inconstruction, f inancial services, health

SouTh caroliNagoverNorSSchool of MaTh

aNd ScieNceFounded in 1988, theHartsville-based SouthCarolina Governors Schoolof Math and Science wasrecently recognized as oneof the top 24 elite publichigh schools in the nationby the Washington Post. The school helps studentsdevelop strong math andscience skills that willprepare them for careersin engineering, biotech andother related fields. More

than 1,000 students haveenrolled at the school in its24-year history.


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care, and hospitality and tourism. Thecollege is working with Coastal CarolinaUniversity to provide a bachelors programfor local nurses with associate degreeswho want to continue their education.

Williamsburg Technical Collegein Kingstree offers a range of associatedegrees and training certificates as wellas continuing education programs, whileNortheastern Technical College (NTC)in Cheraw is adding courses to its Dillonand Pageland campuses. NTC recently partnered with Massachusetts-basedsoftware company Continuum to trainpotential employees for a new center thecompany is locating in the region.

f :c c h b B c s bU.S.

News & World Report p r .righ : s t w -

n t c . p h

o t o

c o u r t e s y o F n o r t h e a s t e r n

t e c h n i c a l c o l l e g e
http://www.coastal.edu/mailto:[email protected]


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$6.3 million to expand its emergency department in Dillon. It also recently took over management of the 105-bed Loris Community Hospitaland Seacoast Medical Center inHorry County.

GranD tranD reGIona

MeDICa CenterThis 219-bed acute care hospital

in Myrtle Beach was ranked theNo. 1 hospital in the state in 2010for its heart surgery program,according to HealthGrades. GrandStrand Regional is currently undergoing a $52 million expansionof its cardiac and emergency departments.

ConWaY MeDICa Center

Conway Medical Center inHorry County recently added anew patient tower with 64

additional rooms, bringing itstotal number of beds to 210. It isalso home to a new $3.5 milliondiagnostic center.

GeorGetoWn Ho Ita Y teMGeorgetown Hospital System is

in the midst of two expansions.

The system is expanding patientcare areas and open-heart surgery services for its flagship 131-bedacute-care Georgetown MemorialHospital. It is also adding amedical office building withspecialty departments in woundcare and pain management at its167-bed Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet.

netWor oF CoMM nItYHo Ita

A robust network of community hospitals provide care to morerural parts of the region. In

Marion County, Marion RegionalHealthcare System operates a 124-bed acute-care facility in Mullinswith emergency services, outpatientsurgery, rehabilitation and long-term care. Williamsburg RegionalHospital in Kingstree servesresidents in Williamsburg and

surrounding counties, and CarolinaPines Regional Medical Center inDarlington County providesmaternity, surgical, emergency,pediatric and wound care throughits 116-bed hospital in Hartsville.

The 102-bed Marlboro ParkHospital in Bennettsville recently received high marks on a nationalsurvey for patient satisfaction, andthe 59-bed Chesterfield GeneralHospital in Chesterfield County has received awards for its quality care from the Carolinas Center forMedical Excellence.

o f j - nesa r , c h s , b F , sc, f .photo By todd Bennett


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Visitors explore Myrtle Beachs world-famous boardwalk.


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orth astern South caro na s a ha en or u ture, re reat on

F rom the roar of engines atthe Darlington Raceway tothe lull of waves on MyrtleBeach, the North Eastern StrategicAlliance (NESA) Region of SouthCarolina appeals to people of allages and interests.

Its a great place, close to thebeach, close to the mountains andclose enough to major cities thatits easy to take a mini-vacation,

says Jake Harris, director of publicrelations for Darlington Raceway.The area attracts many visitors

and residents with its temperateclimate and mix of both ruralretreats and big-city escapes.

IFe a eaCHPerhaps the best known

and most visited of the areasattractions is Myrtle Beach,which draws more than 14million tourists annually.

Were more than just a beach,

says Kimberly Miles, public relationsmanager for the Myrtle BeachChamber of Commerce. There are

so many other reasons to visit.Theres great shopping, world-classgolf, live entertainment and Carolinacoastal cuisine. You dont have tostay at the beach all day to have fun.

Of course, no one denies thefun that the coastline, knownas the Grand Strand, offers.With 60 miles of beaches,plenty of restaurants, shops andentertainment along its world-

famous boardwalk, Myrtle Beachis known as one of the bestfamily-friendly beaches in the

a G esc p

s b Karen Schwartzman

Livability

p h o t o s B y t o d d

B e n n e t t


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country, and TripAdvisorrecently named it the sixth bestbeach destination in the world.

The beach is comprised of 12 distinct areas, each offeringsomething different.

People can really choosewhat kind of vacation they wantto have, depending on what area

they like, Miles says.Myrtle Beachs newest

attractions include the SkyWheel,the largest observation wheel inthe Eastern U.S., and WonderWorksScience Center. Older attractionslike Brookgreen Garden andFamily Kingdom amusement parkcontinue to draw big crowds as

well. Myrtle Beach is also knownfor its world-class golf and fishing.

We pride ourselves on ourSouthern hospitality, Miles says.We have a great attitude aboutlife. Its a little more laid-back, lesshustle and bustle. The culture isso unique, I cant really explain it.You just have to come see it.

tart Yo r enGIneInland attractions abound

throughout the region as well.The Darlington Raceway, whichheld its first race in 1950, hoststhe NASCAR Sprint Cup Seriesone weekend each year, nearly doubling the population of thenearby town of Florence in theweek leading up to the big race.

The NASCAR race really puts the spotlight on the area,not just nationally but worldwide,Harris says.

In addition to the big NASCAR

weekend, Darlington hosts severalsmaller events throughout the yearand houses the NMPA Stock CarHall of Fame/Joe Weatherly Museum,which showcases a collection of racecars and driver memorabilia for avidNASCAR fans. The track really appeals to different types of peopleacross all ages, Harris says.

aFForDa I ItY anD C t reNot only is the region

appealing, its also affordable.The cost of living is 6.1 percentlower than the national average,and the median home price is$116,715.

Cities throughout the regionoffer a wealth of cultural activities,including community theater,festivals, concert series and artshows. Florence is home to a full-time symphony orchestra and astate-of-the-art performing ar tscenter and library. Conway and

Georgetown draw visitors withtheir historic downtowns andriverfront shopping and dining.
http://travelocity.com/


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Outdoor buffs can find plenty to do wherever they are in theregion. State parks, including MyrtleBeach State Park, HuntingtonBeach State Park, Carolina SandhillsState Forest and Cheraw StatePark, offer camping, fishing,bird watching, and biking andhiking trails.

Williamsburg County is knownas a sportsmans paradise for itshunting and wildlife preserves.

In Florence County, Lynches RiverCounty Park provides canoe, kayakand cabin rentals along the PeeDee River, wetland trails andan Environmental Discovery Center with a treetop canopy walk for kids.

B r i a n

m c o r d

t nmpa s c h f F /J w m d r .
http://www.visitflo.com/


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visit ouradvertisersArborOne Farm Creditwww.arborone.com

Chesterfeld CountyEconomic Development Boardwww.chester eldcountysc.org

Coastal Carolina Universitywww.coastal.edu

Coldwell Banker CommercialSeaboard Propertieswww.seaboardproperties.net

Darlington County

Economic Development Partnershipwww.dcedp.biz

Fields Construction Companywww. eldsconst.com

Florence Civic Centerwww. orenceciviccenter.com

Florence Convention Visitors Bureauwww.visit o.com

Florence Darlington Technical Collegewww.fdtc.edu

Florence Regional Airportwww. orenceairport.com

Francis Marion Universitywww.fmarion.edu

Magnolia Mallwww.shopmagnoliamall.com

North Eastern Strategic Alliancewww.nesasc.org

Northeastern Technical Collegewww.netc.edu

Powers Propertieswww.powersproperties.com

Progress Energywww.progress-energy.com

Sa e Federal Credit Unionwww.safefed.org

Smoke Free Florencewww.circlepark.com

South Carolina Power Teamwww.scpowerteam.com

Springhill Suites by Marriottwww.marriott.com/ osh

Williamsburg Technical Collegewww.wiltech.edu
http://www.arborone.com/http://www.chesterfieldcountysc.org/http://www.coastal.edu/http://www.seaboardproperties.net/http://www.dcedp.biz/http://www.fieldsconst.com/http://www.florenceciviccenter.com/http://www.visitflo.com/http://www.fdtc.edu/http://www.florenceairport.com/http://www.fmarion.edu/http://www.shopmagnoliamall.com/http://www.nesasc.org/http://www.netc.edu/http://www.powersproperties.com/http://www.progress-energy.com/http://www.safefed.org/http://www.circlepark.com/http://www.scpowerteam.com/http://www.marriott.com/floshhttp://www.wiltech.edu/http://www.dcedp.biz/http://safefed.org/http://www.wiltech.edu/http://www.marriott.com/floshhttp://www.scpowerteam.com/http://www.circlepark.com/http://www.safefed.org/http://www.progress-energy.com/http://www.powersproperties.com/http://www.netc.edu/http://www.nesasc.org/http://www.shopmagnoliamall.com/http://www.fmarion.edu/http://www.florenceairport.com/http://www.fdtc.edu/http://www.visitflo.com/http://www.florenceciviccenter.com/http://www.fieldsconst.com/http://www.dcedp.biz/http://www.seaboardproperties.net/http://www.coastal.edu/http://www.chesterfieldcountysc.org/http://www.arborone.com/


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Ine na Hott n e s c r ,

f F m B , b b f f 325,000. t

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eConoMIC roFI e

Wh s o lifor ore n- e th e o ra h , stat st a an o un ty n or at onon orth astern South caro na ono de e o ent gu e, o to

s u hc li c micd l pm .c man on ono pro e.

FlorenceRegionalAirport

G e t o f f t h e g r o u n d . G e t d o w n t o b u s i n e s s .C h o o s e F l o r e n c e R e g i o n a l Ai r p o r t .

POWERS PROPERTIES843.667.4900

www.powersproperties.com

Woodlake apartments

Nicely Appointed Apartment HomesTwo- and Three-Bedrooms, Two Baths

Swimming Pool Cardio Workout RoomWater View From $825 Per Month

Controlled Access Gate

o atIon (2010)

n e s c r :

702,270

c f c : 43,480

d c : 67,620

d c : 30,730

F c : 134,510

g c : 62,610

h c : 265,360

m c : 34,160

m b c : 28,430

w b c : 35,370

MaJor o atIonCenter (2010)

F , 37,056

m B , 27,109

c , 17,103

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B , 9,069

CHanGe In reGIonao atIon

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nesa r : 5.44%

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nesa r : $27,956

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Sources:

http://www.nesasc.org www.quickfacts.census.gov
http://www.powersproperties.com/http://www.powersproperties.com/http://www.florencescairport.com/http://www.flymyrtlebeach.com/http://www.scspa.com/georgetownhttp://www.port-of-charleston.com/http://www.ncports.com/port_of_http://www.nesasc.org/http://www.quickfacts.census.gov/http://www.quickfacts.census.gov/http://www.nesasc.org/http://www.ncports.com/port_of_http://www.port-of-charleston.com/http://www.scspa.com/georgetownhttp://www.flymyrtlebeach.com/http://www.florencescairport.com/http://www.powersproperties.com/


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Ad Index

13 Arborone FArm Credit

8 ChesterField County

eConomiC development

boArd

35 CoAstAl

C ArolinA university

20 Coldwell bAnker

CommerCiAl seAboArd

properties

42 dArlington County

eConomiC development

pArtnership

5 Fields

ConstruCtion CompAny

C4 FlorenCe CiviC Center

41 FlorenCe Convention

visitors bureAu

C2 FlorenCe dArlington

teChniCAl College

43 FlorenCe regionAl Airport

20 FrAnCis mArion university

16 mAgnoliA mAll

1 north eAstern

s trAtegiC AlliAnCe

43 powers properties

27 progress energy

42 sAFe FederAl Credit union

5 smoke Free FlorenCe

30 south CArol inA power teAm

C3 springhill suites

by mArriott


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th near y 600 e oyees, on asro u t on a ty n ons e, Sca es a out 300,000 a -terra n eh es

a year v s that o y the na eso fore an, an her, e on, n on,

u on an S ortrax.n r 12, 2011, the ants rst

2012 on a fore an 500 ro e o the asse y ne. h s snt just any

v. its the rst one es ne anu t at the ons e a ty. its

the r a y. You ht not e a owe nto theants e ery roo , ut you an a re

ts new orns n the nursery o your o aon a ea er. You ay e en e e to

a o t one.

FroM o r Hoto oG:nortH ea tern o tHCaro Ina eConoMICDeve o Ment G IDe

o teD Y toDD ennett

M o liSee ore a or te hotos an reathe stor es eh n the shots at

h ugh h l sjci.c m.

ow that you e ex er en e the orth astern South caro na ono de e o ent gu ethrou h our hotos, see t throu h the eyes o our hoto ra hers. v s t throughthelensjci.com to ew our ex us e hoto ra hers o o u ent n what a went n to a tur n those

er e t o ents.

G h y hi d h h

Through the Lens
http://throughthelensjci.com/http://throughthelensjci.com/http://throughthelensjci.com/http://throughthelensjci.com/http://throughthelensjci.com/http://throughthelensjci.com/


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2680 Hospitality Blvd.Florence, SC 29501

(843) 662-7066

(843) 662-6949 Faxwww.marriott.com/flocy

Come enjoy our newly renovated Courtyard wherehigh style meets high tech

The Bistro Eat. Drink. Connect. Breakfast, Dinner and Full Bar

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

Contact Lyles Cooper Lyles at (843) 250-8175 [email protected] fo r information about groupand event bookings, meetings, and corporate accounts.


(843) 317-9050

(843) 317-9025 Faxwww.marriott.com/flosh


(843) 468-2800

(843) 468-2900 Faxwww.marriott.com/flori

Newly renovated guest rooms and lobby Every suite at SpringHill Suites

is 25% larger thana typical hotel room

Complimentary expanded hot 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 small-to medium-sized events.
http://www.marriott.com/flocymailto:[email protected]://www.marriott.com/floshhttp://www.marriott.com/florimailto:[email protected]://www.marriott.com/florihttp://www.marriott.com/floshhttp://www.marriott.com/flocy


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northeast south carolina development guide 2012

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