Heinz looking for suppliers, commission is told

The Russell Stove building on U.S. Highway 76 in Marion County is back on the market, Marion County Economic Development Commission Interim Executive Director Frank Jones told the county’s commissioners this week. The commission, which met June 24, has already shown the building once, he said.

Northeastern Strategic Alliance is working on suppliers for the Florence-based Heinz project and Jones said the building is up for consideration. The building is well suited, he said, for food processing industries. A marketing firm in Florence will be doing a media promotion for NESA to publicize the northeast corner of South Carolina, Jones said. Also, he reported, another project the commission is pursuing could bring a “significant” amount of jobs to the county. He anticipates an announcement being made in the next 30-60 days. 

In other business, some 170 people attended the Economic Outlook Luncheon, Marion County Progress Chairwoman Suzanne Dawsey said. An evaluation team that will include the Marion and Greater Mullins Chamber directors will meet to discuss how to improve the event, she said.

The commission had a closed session to receive an update from Marion County Council on the proporsed inland port. County Council Chairman John Q. Atkinson Jr., Council member Milton Troy II and County Administrator Tim Harper were included in the hour-long session. No action was taken in the session.

County and commission officials also discussed the possibility of establishing an appearance ordinance for private property.