Three Pee Dee counties searching for economic development directors

Three Pee Dee counties are on the hunt for economic development directors.

Darlington, Dillon and Marion counties have acting directors in some capacity but are in need of full-time directors for their economic development boards.

Last Tuesday, Eugene “Gene” Butler III submitted his letter of resignation as Dillon County’s development board director to take a position as Berkley County’s director. His resignation is effective Aug. 18 and his last day in Dillon is Aug. 8.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in this community and I feel there are a lot of things that were done as (an economic development) board to set up Dillon County for industry,” he said. “It’s been a building process to get the county ready for future opportunities and even though we haven’t brought in as many as we’d like, the county is ready for growth now.”

Butler said the creation of a tri-county industrial park with Marion and Marlboro counties was a major achievement, along with bringing in Harbor Freights Tools.

“Harbor Freights is a $1.2 million move that brought 600 jobs,” he said. “I think the industrial park is a first of it’s kind in the state because it’s owned equally by all three counties that profit equally from it.

“It’s a model for the rest of the state and has bridged relationships between three counties.”

Gordon McBride took on the role of interim director of the newly formed Darlington County Economic Development Partnership in the later part of 2007.

It was during a time when the county’s economic development board dissolved into the partnership and then acting director Dave Bailey went into retirement.

“I was on the old development board and offered to man the office since I’m semi-retired,” McBride said. “(Darlington County) is in the process of interviewing applicants today (Wednesday) but I haven’t even applied. I’m just helping out until a replacement is found.”

The partnership is a 50-50 relationship between public sectors including government and private industries.

Marion County also has been looking for a director for more than a year. Last year, current director W. Frank Jones announced his retirement but he had to put it on the back burner until the county is able to replace him

“I was asked if I would help out while (Marion County) looked for a replacement,” he said. “I’m a native of Marion County and I grew up here. I want to see the county do well, so I couldn’t turn a deaf ear and leave them without anything.”

Jones said he’ll remain the director until a replacement is found but added that he’s working only two days a week, unless there are prospects visiting, in which case he works a full work week.

All three said the economic development field is a tough one to lead. Jones said because Marion County is half way between Florence and Horry counties, it can be overlooked.

“When you’re looking at a rural community like a Marion, a Dillon or a Marlboro, you have to expect there to be some difference from Florence and Horry County,” he said. “There are assets, resources and benefits that come to those communities more so than the more rural areas.

“Marion County has had some great performance activity in the past year, and we’ve had some small companies to open and expand, creating 200-plus jobs in the past two years.”

Jones said for a company to move into Marion County and add 150 jobs would be equivalent to a company that comes to Florence and adds 300 jobs, such as Monster or Heinz.

“We’re hovering around a 12 percent unemployment rate and, no, we don’t like it,” he said. “It would be difficult to wave your flag to get attention, no matter where you are.

“I would like to get job announcements like Florence County has been in the past few months and I do think we have established the ground work in the community to elicit growth.”

Jones said Tripac Inc., Aerial Options, Road Rescue, U.S. Components, LogistiCare, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., and Stergis Windows and Doors have brought 200 jobs during the past two years.

Jones and Butler are unsure if and when their counties will actively look for replacements, but they said the role is vital to any county.

“The business has changed so much that if a county isn’t ready for the opportunities when they come, the area is going to get bypassed,” Butler said. “It’s a critical and key role in any community.

“You put your best foot forward to the community and make the best of what you hope will happen and what you can make happen.”