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December 17, 2007

Darlington County Council passes economic development ordinance

DARLINGTON ? Darlington County Council approved final reading on an ordinance to establish a partnership between Darlington County Progress Inc. and the county for a public/private initiative to bring more industry to the area.

Magnolia Mall halts renovations to accomodate holiday shoppers

The renovation of Florence?s Magnolia Mall has been halted, but is expected to resume in January and continue until completion by March.


December 14, 2007

Weed and Seed Safe Haven receives grant

The Pee Dee Community Action Partnership Weed and Seed Safe Haven recently received a Workforce Development Soft Skills Grant funded through the S.C. Office of Economic Opportunity.


December 12, 2007

Board approves ?precedent-setting? sign for downtown Rite Aid

FLORENCE ? The Florence Design Review Board has approved a downtown store?s plans for a monument-style sign that is ?precedent-setting,? one board member said.

Morris named Sonoco division vice president

HARTSVILLE ? Sonoco Products Co., headquartered in Hartsville, announced that James W. Morris has been named division vice president-paper North America sales and marketing, effective immediately, Marty Pignone, vice president-paper North America, said in a press release issued Wednesday.


December 11, 2007

Marion votes to suspend blue laws

Marion City Council unanimously passed a resolution allowing retail businesses in the city to open at 10 a.m. on Sundays before Christmas.

Washington Mutual lays off 17 employees in Florence

SEATTLE ? Washington Mutual Inc., the nation?s largest savings and loan, said Monday problems in the mortgage and credit markets are forcing it to close offices, slash more than 3,100 jobs, and set aside far more than expected for loan losses in its fourth quarter. Lisa Friedman, a spokeswoman for WaMu?s national public relations office, said 17 employees in Florence, S.C., were affected.

Survey: Hiring to be steady in 2008

According to Florence area employers who answered the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, hiring should be steady for the first quarter of 2008.

Marion Blue Laws could be suspended today

The City of Marion is set to adopt a resolution that would allow retail businesses in the city to open at 10 a.m. on Sundays, Marion Mayor Bobby Gerald said. Tonight at 6:15pm, Marion City Council will vote on a resolution to suspend the Blue Laws in the city through December


December 10, 2007

Marion County economic development director to retire

Frank Jones, longtime director of the Marion County Economic Development Commission, is stepping down at the end of the year.


December 03, 2007

Council approves business-releated ordinances

DARLINGTON ? Members pf Darlington County Council approved final reading of an ordinance authorizing the county to re-write a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxation agreement (FILOT) it has with NSLC Darlington Inc., formerly Chesterfield Lumber Co. Inc.

Council leaves tap fee increases unchanged after meeting

FLORENCE ? Changes to Florence?s scheduled water- and sewer-tap fee increases might not hurt revenue, but would compromise the integrity of the system the city uses to determine its utility fees, city manager David Williams said.

Dutchman Global to have official grand opening Friday

With projects to improve the business climate in the city of Darlington ongoing, a business that started in Darlington is poised to make an announcement later this week related to its success and expansion.

Kellve to locate in Lee County

BISHOPVILLE ? Kellve U.S. Inc. will open a facility in Lee County to manufacture belt conveyors for customers in North America. The company expects to employ up to 50 people by the end of 2008, according to a press release from the S.C. Department of Commerce and the Central S.C. Alliance.


November 30, 2007

Organization weighs in on proposed coal power plant

The battle for the right to build a coal-fired power plant on the banks of the Great Pee Dee River continues to rage between Santee Cooper and local environmental groups, but recently a new group added their voice to the discussion.


November 29, 2007

Students see practical applications during Wellman visit

DARLINGTON ? Students taking mechatronics and electricity courses at Florence School District 1?s Career Center visited Wellman Inc. on Thursday to apply what they learn in the classroom to future careers.


November 28, 2007

Disbarred Hartsville attorney faces indictments

Disbarred Hartsville attorney Harriet E. Wilmeth is headed to court again, this time to face two counts of securities fraud.

Building contracts down in Florence

Future contracts for building in October in the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area were down compared with the same month of 2006, according to the latest report from McGraw-Hill Construction.


November 27, 2007

Rezoning opens Radio Drive for more businesses

FLORENCE ? More businesses could spring up along Radio Drive in west Florence if Florence annexes more than 17 acres of vacant land owned by General Electric Co.

Darlington residents buy country club

DARLINGTON ? Darlington Country Club will remain in the hands of the people who love it most: the residents of Darlington.

Florence City Council, homebuilders work on tap fees compromise

FLORENCE ? Florence City Council and local homebuilders are discussing a compromise to lower the increase of some tap fees without dropping an additional burden on city residents? monthly bills.


November 26, 2007

Groups seek to change ‘Corridor of Shame’ to ‘Hallway of Hope’

The South Carolina Council on Economic Education and the South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors are calling for a change in the name of the state?s area called the ?Corridor of Shame.? The two organizations have joined to rename the Interstate 95 corridor the ?Hallway of Hope.?


November 25, 2007

Chesterfield County slaying susepct arrested in L.A.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker said a man wanted for the killing of a Myrtle Beach man is in police custody in California.


November 23, 2007

Bank of America to eliminate 105 jobs in Florence

More than 100 workers will lose their jobs in January when Bank of America closes an office where workers bought mortgages from other lenders.


November 21, 2007

Entertainment complex makes steady progress

The Carolina Entertainment Complex in Marion showed some signs of life and stability in 2007 with new ownership in place.


November 20, 2007

Unemployment rises in four Pee Dee counties in October

The unemployment rate edged upward in Florence, Darlington, Marlboro and Chesterfield counties in October, but decreased in Marion and Dillon counties while remaining the same in Williamsburg County.

AT&T awards $15,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area

FLORENCE ? The AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc., has awarded $15,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee Area in Florence to support technology upgrades that will help the organization track and build its membership.


November 19, 2007

County seeks to establish economic development partnership

DARLINGTON ? Darlington County Council took took the first steps Monday night to approve a development partnership designed to streamline economic development opportunities in the county.


November 13, 2007

Council to consider suspending blue laws

Florence County Council will discuss whether to suspend blue laws that would restrict Sunday retail hours through the holiday shopping season.

Foundation to aid Pee Dee philanthropy efforts

FLORENCE ? The Pee Dee now has its own community foundation aimed at supporting and enabling effective philanthropy with the launch Tuesday of the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation.

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