Membership Overview

The Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) is an organization that was originally formed in the 1950s by Marlboro County leaders to recruit new business and industry to the county, increase employment and investment and provide programs and services to existing business and industry. The MCEDP of today is governed by a 21 – member Board of Directors that is made up of 10 public sector appointments and 11 private sector members appointed by County Council. Charles Paul Midgley Jr. of Midgley Agency is the current Chairman of the Board for the Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership. MCEDP Executive Director Ronald King has served since 2011. King has more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing management and economic development.

The MCEDP is made up of local allies including industry, real estate brokers, developers, vendors, service providers, professionals, utilities, government entities and individuals interested in promoting Marlboro County.

MCEDP membership has several levels based on annual dues paid to the corporation. These dues support the many programs and services offered by the MCEDP including recruitment of new business and industry. The MCEDP is part of a larger economic area known as the Pee Dee Region. We work with the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Northeastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) to bring new industries to Marlboro County. With the competitive incentives offered by the State of South Carolina, Marlboro County with our proximity to the center of the Carolinas, draws a large workforce that offers affordable power and advanced manufacturing.

Your membership supports the economic development of Marlboro County. Through this office’s efforts we support existing local business and industry, develop the workforce and provide a place for the counties’ business community and government agencies to come together to synergize their efforts for the greater good of our citizens. And we gratefully work at it.

In the past twelve months MCEDP was the catalyst in bringing together Northeastern Technical College (NETC) and Marlboro County industry and business to specifically address workforce needs. As a result the Industry Training Center at the former Bennettsville Elementary School on Lake Paul Wallace was created. This office has also created a Work Experience Program that creates internships and or apprenticeships for young people who are starting out in the workforce. Through this program we have enlisted the help of NETC to teach an ongoing employability workshop educating people on the skills they need to get and keep a job.

To develop Marlboro’s business and industry we have been working with Duke Energy Progress, SC Commerce and Northeastern Strategic Alliance to complete the site certification process for a 280 acre site in McColl. This is something that needed to be done before any major industry will even consider moving here. The Boro Site is a five building, county owned site that has been renovated and will be occupied soon. These are just two things we are doing with your membership dollars. There have been over 500 industrial jobs created in the last two years alone. Over 34% of our county employment is manufacturing.

Networking and inter-agency collaborations are a natural part of our services. We are actively involved with the community to be on the lookout for ways that we can coordinate working together for the overall betterment of Marlboro County. Ways we do this already is through our newsletter, website, Industry Appreciation Day, the Industrial Council meetings, Coordinating Council meetings, and Rotary. We are constantly fostering relationships with local, regional and state government agencies.

An added benefit to your membership is the ability to tap into the most comprehensive business database in the county. We are your one stop for sourcing here in Marlboro County.

Recently we saw the need for a Marlboro County Calendar of Events in our newsletter and on our website. Here you will find a listing of local public events that are happening around the county. Through our website you can subscribe to receive regular notices as events come up. Memberships run on a fiscal year from July 1st – June 30th. Dues are paid yearly and are based on sliding scale. For more information on membership, please call our office.

It is through your support that we are able to make all of this happen!