Turning the corner

Realtor, soccer coach, Marion County Councilman and golfer are some of the different hats that Allen Floyd currently wears.

After 22-years in the business, Floyd retired from New York Life Insurance Company this past September.

“I really don’t know how somebody could have a job they enjoyed their whole life.  Now I sit back and I they’re going to send me a check.  Isn’t that wonderful?” Floyd said.

But Floyd is doing anything but sitting back.  His wife Dawn is a retired teacher but is still teaching.  “She loves to teach children to read.  I don’t know if she’ll ever quit,” Floyd said.

The two were looking at something they could do together, so they decided to get their real estate licenses. The two are now partners at Carolina Realty & Associates in Mullins.  Floyd is not too worried about the housing market.

“Now is a wonderful time to purchase property. The interest rates are close to being at an all time low.  Everything is designed right now to make an investment if you want to take a chance,” Floyd said.

Floyd also volunteers his time with youth sports.  He said he does it to help keep the kids off the streets. “You can touch a lot of lives just by being there.  What these kids need the most is to be off the streets, they need to be involved in something.  And people have cut back on recreation services, its pretty pitiful,” Floyd said.

Floyd is optimistic about the economy of Marion County. He believes the new jobs coming to Marion County, like the diaper plant and construction of I-73, will help the county prosper.

“I feel like Marion County has turned a corner.  We’re in the best situation right now then I can remember, in nine years.  I’ve had more confidence in our county than I’ve ever had,” said Floyd.