The final vote on Sunday alcohol sales in Florence has been settled.
The final, uncertified results for the referendum, which asked voters if Sunday alcohol sales should be permitted on-site at local establishments, resulted in 8,039 votes in favor and 7,609 votes against it Wednesday after poll workers attempted to tally the remaining 3,000 or so absentee ballots for the county.
Tim Norwood, chairman of the Florence Hospitality Association, said the only goal the association had from the very beginning was to let the people of Florence decide.
“Our whole goal was to let the referendum be on the ballot and the people’s voices be heard,” he said.
Norwood said after the final vote that the people have made their opinion known.
“They want to have their choice,” he said.
Norwood said he never saw the referendum as a political or religious battle for the heart of the Pee Dee, but just as a way to bring more jobs to the region.
“I saw this as a difference of opinion by independent people,” he said.
Strengthening Florence Families chairman Gary Finklea said he thinks the change, if made, will be one Florence regrets as time goes on.
“Whether we lose or win, the position we took on this issue was the right one to take for Florence citizens and their families,” he said.
Finklea said Tuesday the results were too close for him to think it might go in favor of alcohol sales on Sunday.
“We’re still optimistic despite some of the irregularities at the polls,” he said.
According to a study by a Columbia consultant, Sunday alcohol sales in Florence could bring 200 new jobs and $234,000 in direct local road and hospitality tax revenue.
It could also generate economic activity leading to the creation of more than 160 jobs in the Florence area and a multiplied impact of more than 200 new local jobs, said Harry Miley Jr. of Miley, Gallo & Associates in a previous interview.
He also estimated about $2.3 million in labor income would be generated and spent throughout the Florence area.
The city’s projections of additional hospitality tax and city business license fees, plus a potential $93,000 in Sunday alcohol licenses could equal $261,129 in new revenue.
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