Jaime Wells Nash, our Director of Marketing, recently graduated from the S.C. Economic Development Institute (Institute).

The program, currently in its 28th year, is a collaborative effort between The S.C. Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) and S.C. Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA), designed to teach participants innovative development approaches for implementation in local communities. In a highly interactive curriculum, participants obtain hands-on economic development knowledge.

The Institute takes place over a series of quarterly two-day sessions in various locations throughout the state. Sessions were held in Newberry, Lake City, Seneca, and Sumter, giving participants the opportunity to tour various economic development case studies in those locales. During the sessions attendees gained insight into issues relating to leadership and communication skills; community development; business and industrial development; and product development.

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Northeastern Technical College (NETC) was awarded $4.4 million in grants to develop the education workforce in Marlboro County, but an additional local investment will add even more funding to help the initiative.

“Access to higher education in rural areas is essential to building a 21st-century workforce,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) told the Laurinburg Exchange in April. “I appreciate the work Northeastern Technical College is doing to promote economic growth.”

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Officials from the Marlboro County (S.C.) Council, the Marlboro Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) and other economic development partners held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for a 50,000-square-foot speculative industrial building.

The new pre-cast concrete building is being built in the Marlboro County Industrial Park on S.C. Highway 38 North in Bennettsville and is slated to be completed later this year, reports the Herald-Advocate. Officials say the space can easily be utilized for manufacturing or distribution businesses. The building design is based on an analysis of market demand for specific dimensions and features.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – Duke Energy continues its long history as a critical participant in South Carolina’s economy by announcing $500,000 in support of the state’s top industry: agribusiness. The grants from the Duke Energy Foundation will help fund education and diversity initiatives across the state.

“Agribusiness is South Carolina’s top industry, and Duke Energy is proud to power thousands of family and commercial farms and related businesses across the state,” said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “As a company born in South Carolina and critical to its success, we are constantly looking for ways to help power the state’s economy. That’s why it is important for us to support efforts that not only build the diverse 21st century workforce this industry will need to prosper and grow, but also help more minority farmers and landowners protect family land and grow working landscapes.”

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County Council members took action on several projects at Monday’s meeting.

County Administrator Ron Munnerlyn said the active projects represent more than $125 million in new capital investment and possibly 90 new jobs. “Needless to say, staff, legal counsel, and others have been extremely busy putting these deals together,” he said.

Council approved the third reading of ordinance #823, authorizing the inclusion of one or more properties located in Marlboro County into a Multi-County Business and Industrial Park; a plan for an alternative allocation of the revenues derived from the fee-in-lieu of tax payments made with respect to such properties placed into the park; and other related matters.

Council approved the third reading of ordinance #824, authorizing the sale or lease of property owned by Marlboro County for the purpose of economic development.

The parcel will be given to Marlboro Electric Cooperative, which will lease it to a bitcoin money operation. Munnerlyn said the property tax revenue is only short-term and those funds will be put into a capital fund. Revenues are estimated at $2-5 million over five years.

First reading (in title only) was approved for ordinance #826 authorizing (1) Pursuant to Title 12, Chapter 44 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976, as amended, the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes agreement, by and between Marlboro County, South Carolina and a company known to the county as Project Rhodes, as sponsor, and one or more sponsor affiliates to provide for a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes incentive and certain special source revenue credits for the benefit of a Project in the County; (2) the enlargement of the boundaries of a multi-county industrial or business park previously created by Marlboro County and Darlington County to include certain property located in Marlboro County, South Carolina, now or to be hereafter owned and/or operated by Project Rhodes, or one or more companies related thereto; and (3) other related matters.

Also, council approved resolution #11-21-03 for the building design for Project Ore and confirmation of compliance of sound restrictions for the Marlboro County Industrial Park. This will be a bitcoin project.

A resolution #11-21-04 identifying a project to satisfy the requirements of Title 12, Chapter 44 of the South Carolina Code, so as to allow investment expenditures incurred by a company known to the county as Project Rhodes, its affiliates and related entities, to qualify as expenditures eligible for a fee-in-lieu of taxes arrangement with Marlboro County, South Carolina; to provide for other related economic development incentives, including special source revenue credits; and other matters related thereto.

Redistricting

Council approved first reading (in title only) of ordinance #825 to adopt a redistricting plan for Marlboro County Council redefining the eight single-member council districts reapportioned as to population in accordance with the 2020 Federal Decennial Census and applicable laws and requirements.

The staff has received input from council districts that “touch.” This information will be used to help the state draw the first draft of a map, which the council can review.

Munnerlyn said the goal is to receive input and create a second draft and so on.

It was noted that the council has indicated the desire to have a community meeting.

In order for redistricting to be approved, the council must have a public hearing before the final version is passed.

Munnerlyn felt this could be accomplished by mid-February.

Other business

— learned general revenue funds for the first four months ending Nov. 30 totaled $2,433,811; General fund expenditures through Nov. 30 totaled $4,759,142 of a $12,825,594 budget or 37.1 percent of the budget year-to-date. — approved resolution #11-21-02 – a resolution authorizing submission of an application by Marlboro County for an Airport Grant from the United States of America (acting through the Federal Aviation Administration) in the amount of $130,000 and authorization to accept the grant if awarded.

— learned the Marlboro County Economic Development Holiday Drop-In will be from 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Economic Development office.

— learned the recreation study began this week with stakeholder interviews.

Anniversaries

Munnerlyn recognized the following employees with five or more years of service to the county through November: Mary Hood, 15 years; April Driggers, seven years; and Channing Covington, 17 years.

Go to heraldadvocate.com

County officials today announced the decision by Arris Manufacturing, a producer of modular homes and modular panels for the residential building industry, to locate its operations in Marlboro County. This announcement represents a $11.9 million investment by the company and is projected to create 130 new jobs for the County.

Arris has purchased the former Baldor site in Clio and will begin improvements on the building beginning next month (January 2019).   The 162,000-square-foot building is located at 2660 Highway 9 East in Clio, S.C.  The Company’s schedule for recruiting employees and other details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Marlboro County Council and County Administrator/Economic Developer Ron Munnerlyn have been working on the project for some time and in a special called meeting last week, Marlboro County Council gave final approval to infrastructure credits for the project.  Additionally, the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development recently approved job development credits, as well as a $1 million Rural Infrastructure Fund grant, to assist with costs related to the project.

State and local officials were quick to praise the Arris’ decision to establish operations in the County.

“Today’s announcement is proof positive of Marlboro County government’s commitment to recruiting new jobs and capital investment for our community. Most importantly, it is evidence of the pro-business environment of our county and the quality of our workforce,” said Marlboro County Council Chair Dr. Carolyn Prince.

Governor Henry McMaster remarked, “We’re excited to start the new year by celebrating this landmark announcement for Arris Manufacturing and Marlboro County. The 130 new jobs that will be created by this new facility will make a real impact on the local community, and I’m excited to see all that Arris Manufacturing will achieve in Marlboro County in the years ahead.”

“We are beyond excited by Arris’ announcement.   It is great news for Marlboro County and the Town of Clio,” said County Administrator Ron Munnerlyn.  “We expect great things for Arris and look forward to working with the company as they ramp up operations in the coming year.”

Munnerlyn also expressed his belief that today’s announcement is a byproduct of County government’s strategic planning efforts completed in the fall of 2017.

“By developing strategic initiatives and empowering staff to focus on action and results, Council has cleared the way for even more good news like today’s announcement’” said Munnerlyn.  “With a well-defined strategy and with everyone on the same page, it makes it much easier to put together the details necessary for companies such as Arris to locate in our community.   Look for more good news in 2019.”

MARLBORO COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Members of the Marlboro County Council say they’re reserving their support of the Interstate 73 project after announcing a resolution at Tuesday night’s meeting.

County administrator Ron Munnerlyn says the county is not against the construction of I-73, but right now they feel the project will have more of a negative impact on the county.

“Splitting the county, creating a situation where our businesses here now suffer because the highway’s moved away from the center of town,” Munnerlyn said.

The decades-long I-73 project will create shorter travel to Myrtle Beach, connecting the Grand Strand to the state’s interstate system.

Melissa Claire-Malette, owner of The Oyster, an antique shop in downtown Bennettesville, said she opened the store last June because of the high traffic from area travelers.

“Whether they’re going to the beach or not, they’re cutting through and it’s very nice that half of them are diverted via GPS apps through historical downtown and past my store,” she said.

Claire-Malette said it’s not just the businesses attracting people passing by, but drivers enjoy exploring the scenery too, which she said may also be at risk with the construction of I-73.

“I think it could really hurt us,” Claire-Malette said. “They love to break up the drive and see the charm and architectural integrity of the town. When they come in here that’s all they talk about.”

Instead, the county proposes the widening of Highway 38, from Bennettesville to North Carolina, from two lanes to four lanes. Munnerlyn said the expansion will take less time and cost $30 to $50 million versus the billions of dollars it will cost to build I-73.

“It would not be limited access like an interstate, so our existing business will benefit and we can develop economic development properties that already have infrastructure there,” Munnerlyn said.

In response to the county’s decision, Congressman Tom Rice sent a statement saying:

“I am glad that Marlboro County Council is engaged on I-73. Marlboro County has a shrinking population and an unemployment rate of 8.2%, almost double the state average. I-73 will attract more people and new industry to this area, creating badly needed jobs and bolstering existing businesses by bringing in more customers. I will continue to work to bring opportunity to my constituents, and that is exactly what I-73 will do.”

Still, Munnerlyn says the county believes the project is better for travelers and, most importantly, those in the community.

“We’re all about people getting to the beach. We want them to stop here first and 38 will give you a good mix of that,” Munnerlyn said.

BENNETTSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – The unemployment rate is visible in Marlboro County.

“You go into McDonald’s, you don’t have teenagers working at McDonald’s, you have the older ones working at McDonald’s,” said Marlboro County resident James Quick.

Marlboro County is listed in the top 5 places for people unemployed, according to state statistics.

As part of a strategy to lower the jobless rate, Marlboro County Council approved second reading for tax incentives for a company looking to help fix the problem.

Marlboro County Economic Development Director Roy Munnerlyn says the project is called “Project Custom”.

Munnerlyn says county officials are not able to release the name of the company until county council approves a third and final reading. But he says ‘Project Custom” could bring a $50 million investment along with more than 150 jobs to Marlboro County.

“It is something we are really excited about but like any economic development project until a deal is done then it is not a sure thing but that being said, we feel good about the project and we think it will have obviously a very positive impact on the county,” explained Munnerlyn.

James Quick says ultimately the project could also break the cycle of crime and violence committed by young adults.

“If they are out working then they won’t be out in the streets, you know we won’t have to worry about our youth killing each other, therefore that will give them something to benefit from,” Quick mentioned.

In an effort to lower unemployment local officials are considering fresh steps to bring in more jobs.

“We obviously are at a disadvantage because we are not immediately on the interstate but we are in close proximity to the interstate and those things we are beginning to market and push and they are resulting in interests like this company,” Munnerlyn explained.

Marlboro County Council will have a third and final reading on “Project Custom” in a council meeting next month.

Count on News 13 to keep you up to date on “Project Custom”.

South Carolina’s Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership provides resources to enhance economic growth and quality of life in the county. Marlboro County is among the poorest communities in the state with one of the highest unemployment rates, which makes economic support for industry and manufacturing of utmost importance. One way it’s working to provide this support is through the development of a training facility—the Eastside Center for Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM). In mid-May, along with the Marlboro County School District and Northeastern Technical College, the nonprofit organization broke ground on the up-and-coming industry-training center. The facility is being constructed on the grounds of its namesake, the old East Side school. Scheduled for October completion, ECAM aims to be a training hub for both current industry workers and those looking to enter a career in manufacturing.

The Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership was the recipient of a one by one® from promotional products retailer 4imprint®. It used the grant to purchase branded calculators that were given as keepsakes to attendees to commemorate ECAM’s ground breaking. “I was very excited to receive this grant,” said Kenneth Stroman, Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership Board Secretary and Treasurer. “We appreciate 4imprint’s community service efforts and we are elated that they saw our training center worthy of support.”