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Agriculture

Workers at McCall Farms pit peaches for canning. South Carolina ranks second nationally in peach production. Agricultural Industry in Florence Plows New Ground for Products
The basics of farming may not have changed much over time, but what comes from the land in and around Florence County certainly has.
The long growing season in Florence County makes locally raised produce available much of the year at the 55-acre Pee De Farmer’s Market is Pee Dee Staple
Shoppers at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market swear by the sweet corn.
McCall Farms’ numerous products include Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts. Effingham Company Working for Peanuts
Imagine boiling eight million pounds of raw peanuts a year.
Corn is filling more Florence County fields. A Bumper Crop of Change in Florence Agriculture
Agriculture is becoming more diverse in and around Florence County.

Business Almanac

Florence Firm Has the Files
Florence flourished as a rail center throughout the mid-1800s and was a major center for the transport of soldiers and supplies during the Civil War.
Florence Convention Site Is Center of Attraction
The Florence Civic Center is an award winner.
Regional Alliance Aims to be Art Smart
Promoting the arts is what the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is all about.
Civil War History Comes Alive at Museum
The 1860s remain alive daily at the War Between the States Museum.
Willis Produce Gives Pee Dee Region Flavor
Out of bread, butterbeans and bacon? A taste of the Pee Dee Region can be found year-round at Willis Produce & Country Store on North Williston Road.
Been to Bean Market?
Beans are good for you, and they’re also good for the Lake City Community Museum.
Height Matters at Aluminum Ladder Co.
The company’s revenues top $20 million annually by supplying access equipment, fall protection, bulk loading and lightweight ladder supplies.
Symphony Orchestra is Noteworthy Attraction
The Florence Symphony Orchestra has been astounding sounding since 1949.
Racing Fans Take a Brake in Darlington
The National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum offer views of what has made NASCAR such a popular spectator sport.
Look Up in the Sky - at Francis Marion
The Dooley Planetarium on campus provides visitors with an incredible view of outer space, thanks to a high-tech projector that shows 2,354 stars on a 33-foot dome.
Florence Park Offers Fun for All Ages
Boring birthday plans?
Florence Hosts Annual Air Show
The sky’s the limit whenever the May Fly Regional Air Show occurs on Memorial Day weekend.
Darlington Raceway Gets a Facelift
One of the oldest racetracks in NASCAR is getting a new surface.
steel workers Florence Manufacturer Expanding to Meet Demand
Here’s a solid fact: The New Millennium Building Systems plant in Florence is undergoing an expansion.
Lots to Celebrate at Florence Festivals
Party alert: The city of Florence hosts six festivals each year.
vegetables Pee Dee State Farmers Market Open Year-Round
Out of butter beans? Low on peas?
Florence Library Features Fine Architecture
The architecture is nearly as interesting as the reading material at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library.
children Outdoors Store Outfits Florence
Two Florence men opened Naturally Outdoors Outfitters in 2005, and the store has been climbing in popularity since.

Business Climate

Nonstop Efforts Lead to New Investment in Florence
To weather a downturn, Joe W. King has a simple philosophy.
Service, Call Centers Make Florence Connection
With its pro-business climate and ample labor force, it’s no wonder that Florence County is home to so many customer service and back-office operations.
Pepsi Cola of Florence invested $12 million in a new distribution facility. Pee Dee Region Knows How to Get the Job Done Right
A pro-business attitude paves the way for new investment, more expansion and an increase in jobs, opportunity.
Randall A. Altman says Anderson Brothers Bank’s niche is providing consumer-oriented service. Florence Banks Lend Success to Region
Financial institutions expand to meet needs – and give back to the community.
Mayor Steve Dukes envisions a lively downtown Johnsonville. County’s Smaller Cities Sprucing Up Main Streets
Smaller cities in Florence County are dressing up their downtowns with landscaping, lighting and crosswalks.
When completed, the Florence Little Theatre will be a 400-seat venue. Construction, Renovation Jazz Up Downtown Florence
New construction and renovations are revitalizing downtown Florence.
Assistant Vice President Jeff Helton (left) and Senior Vice President Brian Newman take a hands-on approach to one of th Business Finds Florence Strong Place to Take Root
Businesses find Florence County an excellent place to settle – and grow.
The Shops of 7 Oaks is a 28,000-square-foot complex, the final phase of which was completed in late summer 2006. It feat Shopping Plaza Boasts Distinctive Shops
“Upscale” and “hometown” are the words Evans Holland, managing partner for Pearce Land Co., uses to describe his newest retail development.
Sporting Goods Retailer Targets Growth
Irby Sporting Goods moved on down in July – down the street, that is, to a larger building just 200 feet from its old location.
W. Lee Flowers and Co. Inc. operates an IGA Distribution Center in Scranton that supplies grocery stores in three states IGA Distribution Center Supplies Three States
In a sense, it was love at first sight.
Application engineer Devin Kernal tests a welding machine at ESAB Welding & Cutting Products, part of a London-based hol Florence Business Has Global Flavor
International businesses discover that this is a great place to be.
Lakeside living is one of the desirable residential options in Florence. Other choices range from starter homes to golf Retail, Restaurants, Real Estate Drive Economy
Retail, restaurants and real estate help drive Florence’s economy.

Technology

The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology is based in Florence. Technical Know-How
Is manufacturing dying in the United States?

Biotechnology

Equipment in IRIX’s laboratories includes a liquid chromatography machine. Florence Pharma Firm Goes 0 to 160 in Decade
IRIX Pharmaceuticals celebrates its first decade of achievement.
Pharma Company Writes Growth Scrip in Florence
Roche Carolina Inc. is digging its roots even deeper into Florence County soil with the decision announced in April 2007 to expand its pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
Florence Magnet for Success for GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare manufactures the key component for its MRI machines.

Energy

Pee Dee Utilities Power Up Economic Development
The Class A industrial park at Interstate 95 and State Highway 327 is aptly named.
Pee Dee Center Develops Switchgrass as Biofuel Source
The Clemson University Pee Dee Research & Education Center wants to help create local markets for a global idea – using warm-season grasses as a source of biomass for fuel.
The Pee Dee Region’s energy players are major forces in economic development. Energy Outfits Generate Business for Pee Dee Region
Clean, cost-effective, dependable and available power is a Florence County strength, thanks to energy players such as Santee Cooper, Progress Energy and the Pee Dee Electric Cooperative.
Above-ground and subterranean utility lines crisscross the region. Energy Resources Humming in Pee Dee Region
Plethora of power providers provide abundant energy resources.
Abundant, competitively priced power is fueling county growth. Power Companies Plugged into Florence Economy
Four power companies are plugged into Florence County’s economy.

Manufacturing

SIMT Offers Cutting-Edge Training to Manufacturers
The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology provides leading-edge technology training for prospective and existing businesses.
Diverse Manufacturing Base Boosts Florence Economy
Over the years, the world’s businesses have come to the Pee Dee to set up shop.
David Graham is president of International Knife & Saw in Florence, which makes large, industrial cutting blades. Expansion Keeps International Knife & Saw Sharp
Everyone is always on edge at International Knife & Saw Inc., the cutting edge that is.
Wallace’s Has Its Skins in the Game
Pork skins are a popular snack. How popular?
Timmonsville Firm Makes Tapes, Rubber Mouldings
Rockets and tape may not seem to have much in common, unless you’re an aerospace customer of Engineered Products and Services LLC.

Transportation

Transportation Grid Makes Florence a Place to Move the Goods
South Carolina is not a big state, ranking 40th in the nation in terms of square miles, but it does not come up short on transportation assets.
Florence Regional Airport provides a quick and convenient link for travelers. Airport Gives Lift to Business Travel
In a hurry? Florence Regional Airport tops the list as the best airport for on-time performance in South Carolina.
Florence’s location and proximity to ports make it a distribution natural. Florence’s Location Makes Distribution a Snap
Once QVC Inc. tuned in to Florence County, the area’s logistical advantages helped make the sale.
David E. Foster oversees QVC’s new 1.4-million-square-foot facility as general manager of distribution and administratio Florence at a Crossroads for Distributors
Companies find Florence County, at the intersection of two major interstates, is ideally situated for distribution centers.
Interstates 95 and 20 intersect here, and they bring sales tax revenue that will help fund further road improvements. Tax Revenue to Transform Florence Roadways
Revenue from 1-cent increase in sales tax will transform area roadways.
Freight service by CSX is a key to industrial growth in Florence County. Florence Gives Businesses Way to Get Around
No matter the mode of transportation, getting around is a breeze.

Welcome Section

Ten Great Reasons to Live and Work in Florence
Florence County is in the center of northeastern South Carolina at the junction of Interstate 95 and I-20.

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