Pee Dee Region Knows How to Get the Job Done Right
Published Dec 02, 2008
Pepsi Cola of Florence invested $12 million in a new distribution facility.
Florence County has long been recognized as a major agricultural center. But the community also plays host to a growing industrial sector that includes everything from food processing to life sciences.
The Florence County labor market now numbers more than 64,000 and expands to more than 387,000 within a 60-mile radius.
Joe King, executive director of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership, says Florence offers “the right combination” of location advantages.
“If you look at our industrial base, you’ll see that it’s very well diversified,” King says. “We have established a proactive, pro-business atmosphere, with a strong infrastructure. I would put our workforce up against just about any community anywhere, and we have training programs to assist industry, whether it’s manufacturing, assembly or call centers. But more than just bringing in new jobs, we work hard to invest in existing industries. Those companies are the best salesmen we have.”
Pepsi Cola of Florence invested $12 million in a new 155,000-square-foot distribution center.
The EDP assisted the sale of Wellman Inc.’s Engineering Resins business in Johnsonville to a new investor group that will spend $3 million to upgrade the plant and preserve 163 jobs at what will now be known as as Wellman Plastics Recycling.
Pharmaceutical giant Roche Carolina is in the midst of a $60 million expansion designed to double the manufacturing capacity at its state-of-the-art complex, creating 25 to 30 high-tech jobs.
“Our economic development team has done a great job of selling the area, and they clearly have a great product to sell,” says Peter Mazzaroni, Roche public affairs manager. “The workforce is excellent, the infrastructure is in place to support business, and the quality of life is outstanding.”
H.J Heinz Co. cited many of the same factors when announcing plans to build a 225,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Florence to support its burgeoning frozen-meals segment. The project is expected to create 350 jobs when it opens in late summer 2009 to produce Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Boston Market frozen entrées.
“The new facility is a sign of our commitment to supporting and sustaining this growth,” says Dave Moran, president and CEO of Heinz North America.
Family business McCall Farms Inc. produces everything from green beans and squash to turnips and black-eyed peas. The 200-employee company expanded into the freezing business in 2006 and is expanding its freezing capacity, adding 100,000 square feet and 25 jobs.
“The Economic Development Partnership has been there to support our efforts,” says McCall Swink, operations manager for the company. “They helped us get a loan through the Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. Without them, we would be on our own.
“Many people here are just a generation away from the farm, so the work ethic is a big benefit. This is just an excellent place to do business, and we’re optimistic about future growth.”
Story by Amy Stumpfl
Photo by Todd Bennett
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