PDF - SouthernCarolina Regional Development Alliance

Region News
Winter 2015
Allendale • Bamberg • Barnwell • Colleton • Hampton • Jasper
Diverse Companies Invested in the SCA Region in 2014
The Southern Carolina region was the location of choice
in 2014 for several companies opening new manufacturing
operations, as well as three existing industries that reinvested
in our communities through expansions, bringing more than 348
new jobs and $42.5 million to the six-county region.
The companies manufacture diverse products in several
industry sectors, including: ball and cylindrical ball bearings
for automotive and industrial applications; fiberglass vessels;
hardwood veneer; aircraft components; plastic efficiency and
safety products; advanced composites; and wood laminate
flooring. In addition, a South Carolina-based company invested
in a new distribution facility at Exit 38 on I-95 in Hampton County.
The companies investing in the region included a wellestablished Italian firm investing in their first U.S. manufacturing
facility, creating 48 jobs over the next five years.
Of the new companies establishing a presence in the region,
five chose existing industrial buildings in the six-county area,
while one of the companies is building a new 77,000 SF facility.
Among the existing industries that announced expansions,
Augusta Fiberglass, a homegrown company located in Blackville,
South Carolina, is expanding at their Barnwell County location
and adding jobs at an existing building in Bamberg County. With
(continued on page 2)
SouthernCarolina Alliance Breaks Ground
on Spec Building in Jasper County
On January 20, 2015, Jasper County business and community leaders
gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to announce the construction of
a 53,775 square-foot industrial building at PointSouth Commerce Park,
located at Exit 33 on I-95. Built by Gordon Construction, the building will
be expandable to 100,000 SF to accommodate both manufacturing and
distribution operations. Gordon Construction, Point South Partners, Zinn
Asset Management Corporation, South State Bank, SCANA Corporation,
and Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung were all represented at the event as
partners who have played a critical role in the production of the project.
Progressive Packaging
Celebrates Grand Opening
in Hampton County
Sandy Fowler, Hampton County EDC Director, welcomed Russ Crowe,
President of Progressive Packaging, Inc. to Hampton County.
L-R: Larry Rowland, Point South Partners; Brad Samuel, Local Economic Development Representative at
SCANA Corporation; Kraig Gordon, Owner of Gordon Construction Company; Carl Kilpatrick, Senior Vice
President of South State Bank; Tom Zinn, Zinn Asset Management Corporation; Marty Sauls, President of
the Jasper County Chamber, Jasper County Council and SCA Board of Directors; Chairwoman Barbara Clark
of Jasper County Council; Phil Richardson, SCA’s Economic Development Director of Jasper County; Mayor
Bronco Bostick of Hardeeville; John Fleming, Vice President at Hussey Gay Bell and DeYoung; Greg Lyon,
Director of SC Dept. of Commerce, Japan Office; and Henry Etheridge, Jasper County Council.
Progressive Packaging, Inc. held a grand
opening celebration on January 22 at its location
in the Lowcountry Regional Industrial Park in Early
Branch, South Carolina.
A full-service packaging solutions company,
Progressive Packaging opened a new distribution
center in Hampton County in 2014 to accommodate
its growing consumer base. The $500,000
investment will create five new jobs in the area in
the first 12 months of service.
Along with dinner and music, attendees were
treated to a tour of the new facility during the grand
opening celebration. More photos from the event
are available on the SCA Facebook page @ www.
facebook.com/SouthernCarolina Alliance.
1750 Jackson Street, Suite 100 | Barnwell, SC 29812
www.southerncarolina.org | 803.541.0023
Companies Invested
(continued from page 1)
their 2014 announcement, Kronotex, a Swiss-German company
located in Barnwell County, marked their third expansion here
since 2005.
“We appreciate the jobs and investment that these diverse
companies brought to our region in 2014,” said SCA Chairman
Johnny Williamson. “Every job created affects a family in this
area.”
Williamson noted that many of the new jobs announced were
done at the SCA annual event with Governor Haley in May.
“We were delighted that the Governor joined us for these
announcements, and we look forward to working closely with
Governor Haley, the S.C. Department of Commerce, and the
companies in our region to bring new jobs to the area in 2015,”
said Williamson.
Williamson added that SCA is currently working with several
existing companies in the region that are considering expansion
in 2015, as well as several prospects that are expected to make
decisions on site locations in the coming months.
“It is critical that we all work together to build the best
environment to attract new companies and to allow our existing
industries to flourish,” said Williamson. “Companies are looking
at our workforce, our infrastructure and industrial sites, our
education system, our healthcare, cost of operation, and our
overall business climate. In that sense, we are all economic
developers in the Southern Carolina region because the
communities we create have a direct impact on our marketability.”
For more information on SouthernCarolina Alliance, visit:
www.SouthernCarolina.org or contact K. Maxwell at the SCA
office at 803.541.0023.
Newly Formed Barnwell County Economic Development Commission Organized
The newly appointed Barnwell County Economic
Development Commission met for their initial organizational
meeting at the Southern Carolina Business Center in Barnwell
on January 26.
The new board consists of seven members: Mr. Tommy
Rivers (Town of Williston), Mr. Will Lemon (City of Barnwell),
Mr. Tommy Boyleston (School District 29), Mr. Chip Still (School
District 45), Mr. Toby Singletary (Elko, Hilda, Kline and Snelling),
Mr. Tim McCormick (School District 19), and Mr. Steve Jowers
(Town of Blackville).
County Councilman Jerry Creech, Chairman of the Economic
Development Committee appointed by Barnwell County Council,
presided over the meeting, as well as the subsequent meetings
in February, until the group could elect their new officers.
At the first meeting, SCA Vice President Kay Maxwell
welcomed the group on behalf of SouthernCarolina Alliance and
led them on a tour of the Southern Carolina Business Center
offices and facilities.
The commission plans to operate from the Southern Carolina
Business Center as a cost-effective measure for the county. In
addition, locating in the facility allows the EDC the opportunity
to work more closely with the SCA staff, the county developers
from Allendale and Bamberg Counties,
the Barnwell County Chamber of
Commerce, and the Boys and Girls
Clubs of Southern Carolina, who are
also located in the building.
The Barnwell County EDC held their
second meeting on February 9th at the
Southern Carolina Business Center, as
well as their third meeting on February
16th, where officers were elected.
The new officers of the Barnwell
County Economic Development Commission are: Tommy
Boyleston, President; Will Lemon, Vice President; and Chip Still,
Secretary.
Councilman Creech, as Chairman of Barnwell County
Council’s Economic Development Committee, will provide
guidance and serve as the liaison between the Economic
Development Commission and County Council.
The commission will work closely with Barnwell County
Council, SouthernCarolina Alliance, the S.C. Department of
Commerce, and local and utility allies in economic development
efforts.
AT&T Invests in Allendale County
Edisto Electric Presents USDA Grant
Funds for Speculative Building
Ike Byrd, Regional Director of AT&T, presented a check for
$50,000 to assist with the non-construction costs associated
with the extension of the water and sewer lines to the Pointe
Salkehatchie Industrial Building in Allendale County. Accepting
the check are: Bill Robinson, SCA Project Manager for Allendale
County; Carl Gooding, SCA Board Member and Allendale
County Councilman; and James Pinckney, SCA Board Member
and Chairman of Allendale County Council.
page 2
David Felkel, President and CEO of Edisto Electric, presented
Kell Anderson, SCA’s Bamberg County Project Manager, with
$173,000 in designated USDA Rural Development Authority
funding to support the construction of a 40,000-square-foot
industrial building in CrossRhodes Industrial Park in Bamberg
County.
www.southerncarolina.org
Kronotex Launches New ‘American Concepts’ Line
Kronotex USA, a division of Swiss Krono Group, began distribution in the
United States in 2000 and later opened its current manufacturing facility at the S.C.
Advanced Technology Park in Barnwell, S.C., in 2005, creating 140 jobs. Due to
the growing popularity of Kronotex flooring, the company invested in expanding the
facility in 2011 and again in 2014, making it the largest producer of laminate flooring
in America. The highly efficient facility in Barnwell is ideal for both accessing wood
from sustainable-forest suppliers and shipping. Kronotex USA’s management,
marketing, design, sales and customer service are also based at the site.
In August 2014, Kronotex USA launched a new brand called American Concepts
in response to consumers’ desire for flooring that has American style, quality
and value while being “green” and made in America. The new brand, available
at specialty retail stores, offers 57 laminate flooring choices in a wide range of
thicknesses, colors and finishes, which are all made in Barnwell, South Carolina.
Kronotex USA’s Executive Vice President Travis Bass said, “American Concepts
by Kronotex USA is a combination of our best existing decors and our most fashionforward new decors. And being made in America is a good start, but it’s not enough.
American consumers also value quality design products that are healthy for their
home and sustainability. Retailers can now give their customers everything they
need in one practically priced floor.”
Barbara June, the Director of Marketing at Kronotex USA, said, “American
Concepts is about more than where it is made. It’s also about how a laminate floor
is made. Redecorating a room has usually meant compromises between how the
flooring looks, how it’s priced, and how well it’s made. And this brand is about no
compromises.”
American Concepts launched with the tagline, “Inspiring style. Uncompromising
quality.”
All 57 items are made in Barnwell, S.C., and are GREENGUARD certified for
indoor air quality and without such harmful substances as petroleum, halogen,
chloride or dioxin.
More information can be found at www.kronotexusa.com or
www.americanconceptsflooring.com.
P R O U D L Y
M A D E
I N
T H E
U S A
Jeff Martin, HR Director at Kronotex USA meets with
Melissa Steinkuhl of SCMEP.
The Southern Carolina Region Rocks
Legendary Gretsch drums are manufactured by skilled workers
at their manufacturing facility in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The
company is part of The Gretsch Company, which produces a range
of musical instruments and was founded in 1883. Gretsch drums kits
have been used by many notable drummers including Phil Collins.
Moving It at the Ports
Extensive expertise with ports, where each minute the ship sits waiting to get
unloaded is a major cost, has propelled TICO Manufacturing of Ridgeland, SC,
to build the most efficient heavy-duty vehicles in the industry. Since 1946, the
company has grown to be the largest fleet owner and operator in North America,
so TICO (Terminal Investment Corporation) produces trucks and trailers made
to sustain enormous weight loads and provide continuous service in very brutal
environments. These requirements demand a workforce in expert welding and
metal fabrication to produce trucks and equipment with the quality and durability
for which TICO is known. The company continues to grow their operations at
their Ridgeland site, where TICO now employs 80 in manufacturing in a location
that provides excellent access to the ports of Charleston and Savannah.
www.southerncarolina.org
page 3
SouthernCarolina Alliance and Counties Partner with Allies
to Develop Industrial Buildings and Parks
SouthernCarolina Alliance, partnering with county and private partners, began work on new speculative buildings in 2014, while
continuing to develop and complete other buildings and industrial parks that are now on the market. SCA invests in product
development throughout the region in order to further market the area to industrial prospects.
Allendale County: Pointe
Salkehatchie
Industrial
Building; a 40,000 squarefoot
industrial
building
located in the 130-acre
Pointe Salkehatchie Industrial
Park, continued to attract
many visits from prospects
in 2014. Recently, Allendale
County was awarded a Rural
Infrastructure Authority grant
to extend the water and sewer
lines to the building.
Bamberg County Industrial Building: SouthernCarolina Alliance is constructing a new 40,000 square-foot industrial building that
will be located in the CrossRhodes Industrial Park, a 427-acre park in Bamberg. The building will be across the street from Tobul
Accumulator/Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, which expanded into the speculative
building previously built by SCA. The building will be expandable to at least 80,000 square
feet and the initial site permitting has been submitted to state and local agencies. Santee
Cooper, Edisto Electric and the SC Department of Commerce are among those who have
awarded various grants towards the project.
Barnwell County Industrial Building: SCA is constructing a 50,000 square-foot
industrial building to be located at the South Carolina Advanced Technology Park in
Barnwell. The 1,606-acre industrial park is located adjacent to the entrance to Savannah
River Site and is home to industries such as Kronotex USA, Horsehead Corporation,
Unitech and Government Training Institute.
page 4
www.southerncarolina.org
Colleton
County
Commerce
Park
Industrial Building: Colleton County has
just completed the construction of a 100,000
square-foot building that is expandable to
600,000 square feet. The building is located
at the Colleton County Commerce Park
across the street from Crescent Dairy and
Beverage. Additional upgrades to the roads
and infrastructure surrounding the 260-acre
industrial park just off Exit 62 on I-95 are
currently underway.
Hampton County Industrial Building and Southern Carolina Industrial Campus: Hampton County completed work on a
50,000 square-foot building in 2012. In 2014 the entrance and landscaping of the 1,369-acre industrial park were finalized by
MeadWestvaco, owner of the industrial park, while the county continued work to extend the water and sewer lines to the building.
SCA assisted in purchasing a track of land needed to extend a rail spur to the building.
Jasper County Industrial Parks and Buildings: In order to develop
industrial properties along I-95, SCA has partnered with county and
private developers in the planning and construction of three new
industrial buildings in Jasper County.
PointSouth Commerce Park: A 53,775 square-foot industrial building
will be constructed at PointSouth Commerce Park at Exit 33 on I-95
in Jasper County. Built by Gordon Construction, the building will be
constructed with ceiling heights from 24-30’ to accommodate both
manufacturing and distribution operations and will be expandable to
more than 100,000 square feet.
Cypress Ridge Industrial Park: Jasper County is planning to build a
40,000 square-foot building in the 262-acre industrial park located
on Highway 278 in Ridgeland. The building will be expandable to
100,000 square feet. Tico Corporation, Be Green Packaging, Brown
Campbell Company and Ohio Grating Inc. are currently located in the
park.
Industrial Building
Currently Under
Construction
RiverPort Business Park:
Stratford Land has completed the
landscaping and upgrades to the entrance of RiverPort Business Park,
a 342-acre industrial park located at Exit 5 on I-95 and US Highway
17. The park is currently being certified by the SC Department of
Commerce and is being marketed to manufacturing and distribution
companies worldwide.
For complete information on these properties, please visit the
SouthernCarolina Alliance website, www.southerncarolina.org, to
obtain a downloadable flyer.
www.southerncarolina.org
page 5
Our Workforce
Allendale and Bamberg Counties are Certified as “Work Ready”
Allendale and Bamberg Counties were recognized by
Governor Nikki Haley on December 18 for receiving the
South Carolina WorkReady® Community designation.
A national certification from ACT, the initiative provides a
framework for states to strengthen economic development
using a community-based approach grounded in certifying
counties as “work ready”. To earn a Certified WorkReady®
Community designation, counties have to reach goals
in earning National Career Readiness Certificates, meet
or exceed the three-year graduation rate average or
improvement percentage, and engage business support.
The centerpiece of the program is the national
WorkKeys® testing system, which measures skill necessary
for success int he workplace.
For additional information, please visit www.scworkready.org.
School-to-Work Coordinator at BambergEhrhardt High School, Heather Ulmer,
accepts the WorkReady® Community
certificate on behalf of Bamberg County.
She is pictured above with current SC Lt.
Governor Henry McMaster and former Lt.
Governor Yancey McGill.
Interim Superintendent for Allendale
County, Walter Tobin, accepts the
WorkReady® Community certificate on
behalf of Allendale County. He is pictured
above with current SC Lt. Governor Henry
McMaster and former Lt. Governor Yancey
McGill.
Southern Carolina Regional Job Fair Attracts Nearly 500 Job Seekers
Job seekers lined up early on October 23 outside of the Southern Carolina
Business Center in Barnwell waiting to attend the job fair.
SouthernCarolina Alliance partnered with
the SC
Department of Social Services Workforce Development
Division along with other workforce development allies to
host the Southern Carolina Regional Job Fair on October 23,
2014.
A total of 37 vendors participated in the job fair including
industries such as Kronotex USA, Augusta Fiberglass, and
SRNS.
More that 500 job seekers attended the job fair to apply for
jobs ranging from entry level to management positions. “We were very impressed with the turnout,” said John
Timmons, the program manager of Workforce Development
at the SC Department of Social Services.
The job fair was hosted for Allendale, Bamberg and
Barnwell County residents and was held at the Southern
Carolina Business Center in Barnwell.
Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Program
Certifies New Class of NCCER Welders
The newest class of advanced welders trained through
SouthernCarolina Alliance’s Advanced Manufacturing Skills
Training (AMST) Program earned their NCCER certification
and graduated the program on Thursday, January 15, at the
AMST Center in Allendale.
The welders, who live in the SouthernCarolina Alliance
region of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton
and Jasper Counties, completed 10-14 weeks of full-time
Advanced Structural Welding Technology training and met
the exacting standards of NCCER certification. To date, 70
welders have been NCCER-certified and provided with job
placement.
For more information on the training program, visit the website:
www.scweldingjobs.com
page 6
Some of the NCCER-certified welders who are
now entering the workforce.
www.southerncarolina.org
Regional Industry Appreciation Events
Salute Job Creation
“Our existing industries not only
provide jobs, they fund county services
and schools,” said SouthernCarolina
Alliance Chairman Johnny Williamson,
announcing the kick-off of the regional
economic development organization’s
Annual Industry Appreciation effort. The
campaign was launched on Thursday,
Oct. 16, with three regional networking
events held in Barnwell.
“Spreading
the
message
that
industries are the backbone of the
local economy and creating business
opportunities for service providers and
retail operations is our primary objective
through the annual Industry Appreciation
Energy Solutions Vice President James Miller
welcomed guests at the event. Energy Solutions was
the primary corporate sponsor of the festivities.
campaign,” said Williamson.
Providing
marketing
and
recruitment
services
for
Allendale,
Bamberg,
Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton
and
Jasper
Counties,
SouthernCarolina
Alliance
launched this year’s regional
program with a captain’s
choice golf tournament at
Sweetwater Country Club
and a marksmanship event at
Government Training Institute,
followed by a reception catered
by Blaze n’ Buzz’s Catering of
Bamberg.
This
year’s
events, Congressman Joe Wilson (r) joined SCA Chairman Johnny
Williamson for the Regional Industry Appreciation Reception
made possible by sponsors,
including corporate partner
Energy Solutions, included
activities and messages throughout the
industry and community leaders from fourth quarter of this year and the first
the six counties, with more than 300 quarter of 2015. The campaign concludes
attending the evening reception, including after statewide recognition of industry
Congressman Joe Wilson.
and S.C.’s Economic Ambassadors at a
“The events provided a great ceremony with the Governor and the S.C.
opportunity for the plant managers and Legislature on April 2.
local industry leaders to network beyond For more information on the region’s
county lines,” said Williamson, “which is industries or the regional Industry
key to strengthening our ideals of regional Appreciation Celebration, visit the
cooperation and trust. During the annual website:
www.SouthernCarolina.org
sporting events, we do that through good- or on facebook at www.facebook.com/
natured competition and camaraderie.”
SouthernCarolina Alliance.
SCA’s Industry Appreciation season
will encompass a series of marketing
SCA’s Regional Industry Appreciation Golfers
Raise $720 for PEARLS of Hampton County
SCA presented PEARLS of Hampton County with a check for $720 raised
by selling mulligans during the Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament.
PEARLS stands for Philanthropic Empowerment Among Rural Lowcountry
Sisters and was established to fulfill the mission of connecting women who
care with causes that matter in Hampton County. In partnership with the
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, PEARLS has awarded over
$21,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations since 2006. They focus
on strengthening families and individuals in the areas of arts and culture,
community development, education, the environment and health and
human services.
Front Row: Gwendolyn Hopkins of Hopjack Rentals; Sabrena Graham, Lowcountry Council of
Governments Director; Peggy Parker, Chairman of PEARLS; Becky Beyer, SCA Office Manager;
Morgan Reuis, SCA Marketing Associate; Jenifer Redmond of Jenifer’s New Image; Back Row:
Sharon Shealy of Harrison Peeples Health Care Center; Becky Peeples of The Frock Shop; and
Vonda Orr of Riley’s Funeral Home
www.southerncarolina.org
page 7
2014 Regional Industry Appreciation
Celebration Winners
First Place Golf Team
Closest To The Pin #14
Closest To The Pin #3:
Closest To The Pin #10
Closest To The Pin #6
Frank Vick
SRR
Jeff Derr
SRNS-PMCS
Casey Hill, Energy Solutions; Carl Gooding, SCA Board
Member; Johnny Williamson, SCA Board Chairman; and Miles
Loadholt, Motley, Rice, LLC.
Don Houck
Southern Pines Plantations
Mike Pritchard
SCE&G
Second Place Golf Team
Chaun Wu, ES&H Solutions, Inc.; Joey Ulmer, Farm Bureau
Insurance; Larry Zeigler, Zeigler’s Chevrolet; and John Tseng.
First Place Team in Marksmanship Event
Barry Moore, SCA Board Member; Tina Blume, Collum’s Lumber Mill;
Von Bolin, Bolin Marketing Group Surplus; and Veronica Guest (not pictured)
Third Place Golf Team
Reed Swann; John Young; Randy Brown, Allendale IGA
(not pictured); and Wayne Brown, Allendale IGA (not pictured)
page 8
First Place Individual in
Marksmanship Event
Donald Walters, Archroma
Second Place Individual in
Marksmanship Event
Von Bolin, Bolin Marketing Group Surplus
www.southerncarolina.org
Industry Appreciation 2014 Sponsors
Corporate Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
AT&T
Alliance Consulting Engineers
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Fuss and O’Neill, Inc.
Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung
J. Sam Plexico and Associates, Inc.
MeadWestvaco
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Parker Poe Consulting
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions
SCANA
South State Bank
Thompson Construction Group
Tobul Accumulator
New River Auto Mall
Moore Industrial Services, LLC
Palmetto Putt Around
South Carolina Power Team
Hole Sponsors
Allendale IGA
Edward Smith
Carlisle Associates, Inc.
Coastal Electric Cooperative
Edisto Electric Cooperative, Inc.
First Citizens Bank of SC
Foster and Company Real Estate
Gold Sponsors
Harvey & Kulmala, LLC
Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce
M.B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc
Barnwell County Chamber of Commerce
Mixson Oil Company, Inc.
Mr. B’s
Silver Sponsors
Atlantic Broadband
Days Inn
Precision Machined Components, Inc.
Savannah River Remediation LLC
SRNS
Winton Inn
www.southerncarolina.org
Pinkney’s Transportation, LLC
Rice Land & Timber, LLC
S&ME Engineering
Serotta Maddocks Evans & Company
SRNS - PMCS
The Barnwell People Sentinel
University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
page 9
Saluting Our Industries:
Carolina Visuals, Colleton County
South Carolina was recently named the most patriotic state in
the nation, according to a national study by the real estate research
firm Movoto. The Palmetto State received the ranking based on
the study’s measure of: veterans per capita, national historic
landmarks per capita; money spent to fund veterans; percent of
residents who voted in the last Presidential election; people who
Google for American flags to buy; and people who list America as
an interest on Facebook.
It’s true that in South Carolina, we respect and honor those
who have served our country . . . and everyone knows that in South
Carolina, we make sure our voices are heard on Election Day.
What the research firm’s study missed, though, is that in South
Carolina we don’t just wave the American flag, we produce it.
The 98 employees at Carolina Visuals’ manufacturing facility
in Smoaks, South Carolina, proudly produce more than 10,000
American flags per week for the Valley Forge Flag Company.
The production floor at the Colleton County facility often looks
like Santa’s workshop with the bolts of red, white and blue fabric
stretched across manufacturing equipment, over sewing machines,
in the hands of seamstresses, and practically hanging from the
rafters in a sea of stars and stripes.
American flags in a variety of materials, ranging in size from
2’X3’ up to flags that are 30’ in length with huge appliquéd stars,
are manufactured there. Flags used by the federal government,
which has strict specifications for those flown at federal facilities,
including the shade of red, white (which is actually cream), and
blue that are utilized, are expertly produced among them. Military
flags, including those draped over caskets of our fallen heroes, are
made at this plant.
Employees there also manufacture and package other flags,
including the 50 state flags, team flags, and themed flags for
festivals and products.
Carolina Visuals employee Ron Gordon is proud of the flags
manufactured in Colleton County.
page 10
Founded in 1882, Valley Forge Flag Company, Inc. is a
fourth-generation, family-run business that began as a burlap bag
business which later sold World War I surplus, including U.S. flags.
During the Depression Era, the company opened its first small
sewing factory in Spring City, Pennsylvania to meet the increasing
demand for U.S. flags, giving a formal beginning to the Valley Forge
Flag brand.
World War II brought an unprecedented demand for U.S.
flags, with military and other government contracts becoming the
company’s core business and a strategically important part of
their business today. Over the years, as consumer demands have
changed, so has Valley Forge Flag’s business. After World War II,
sales through commercial flag dealers and mass-market retailers
became increasingly important. Today, Valley Forge Flag products
can be found in some of America’s most well-known retail outlets,
large commercial dealers, and on the Internet.
Valley Forge Flag Company continues to grow and flourish,
employing well over 300 people in our state. Headquartered in
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Valley Forge Flag invested in five stateof-the-art facilities throughout South Carolina, where their products
are manufactured and distributed. Virtually all of the sewing of
the American flags is done at the facility in Smoaks. Valley Forge
Flag Company continues its commitment to provide high-quality
flags exemplifying our country’s national honor and spirit, raising
its colors to express respect and pride for our American way of
life, which makes the Southern Carolina region a perfect fit for this
American company.
To learn more about the Southern Carolina region of South
Carolina and our manufacturers, please visit our website at: www.
SouthernCarolina.org. For more information on the Valley Forge
Flag Company, visit their website at: www.valleyforgeflag.com.
Carolina Visuals employee Renea Jackson uses her skills as a seamstress to sew
American and State flags.
www.southerncarolina.org
Carolina Visuals employee Demetrius Brown stands in front of a 20’ x 30’ flag.
In South Carolina we don’t
just wave the American
flag, we produce it.
For more than 50 years, Barbara Nobles has been employed at the plant where Carolina
Visuals is located.
www.southerncarolina.org
The manufacturing facility in Smoaks can produce more than 10,000
flags a week.
page 11
In The Spotlight:
SCA Board of Directors
Carol Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
Carol Johnson is the
President and Chief
Executive Officer of
Savannah River Nuclear
Solutions, LLC (SRNS).
She is responsible to the
Department of Energy
for the safe, effective and
efficient management
and
operations
of
the Savannah River
Site
(SRS).
Her
responsibilities include
providing
vision,
leadership, mission growth, technological advancement, a
performance-based culture of safety and operational excellence
at the Site.
Carol Johnson has more than 30 years of leadership experience
in the operation of high hazard nuclear facilities, environmental
management, decommissioning and infrastructure at several
DOE locations. Prior to joining SRNS, Johnson was President
and Project Manager at Washington Closure Hanford, LLC,
at the Hanford Site in Richland, Wa., where she led the $2.4
billion environmental cleanup of the Hanford 220-square-mile
Columbia River Corridor.
She has also served as the Executive Director of Infrastructure
at the URS-led Sellafield remediation project in the United
Kingdom, where she was responsible for critical nuclear safety
related infrastructure and support services, commercial fuel
transport, and nuclear materials safeguards and security.
As Director of Infrastructure for Battelle Energy Alliance at
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Johnson successfully managed
infrastructure capital projects for both research facilities and
support facilities and led the effort to develop and implement a
behavior-based safety strategy for INL. Johnson also provided
operations and management consulting services as the Director
of the Los Alamos National Laboratory Advisor Program, including
development of a work control system for the laboratory.
Johnson returns to SRS where she held positions from 1981
to 2003 as business manager for all nuclear operations, general
manager for facility support services, area operations manager
for nuclear materials storage and stabilization in F Area plutonium
processing facilities, and facility manager for the high level waste
tank farm and effluent treatment facilities.
Johnson served on numerous boards in the Tri-Cities area
in Washington, serving on the Chaplaincy Board of Directors,
the United Way Board of Directors and Tri-Cities Development
Council.
Carol joined the SouthernCarolina Alliance Board of Directors
in 2014.
Ike Byrd
Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T
Ike Byrd is a Regional Director of External
Affairs for AT&T South Carolina. His
major responsibilities include community
and governmental relations for 11 South
Carolina counties, AT&T South Carolina PAC
Secretary and Administrator, and budget
manager for AT&T’s State President External
and Legislative Affairs organization.
Ike graduated from Auburn University
in 1969 with a Bachelor of Electrical
Engineering degree. He obtained a Master
of Business Administration degree in Finance
from Georgia State University in 1979.
Ike has enjoyed a 40 plus year career
with AT&T with assignments in Defense
page 12
Contracts, Network, Finance, Pricing,
Federal and State Regulatory, and
External Affairs. Ike accepted his current
position as a Regional Director of External
Affairs in Columbia, South Carolina in
October 2008. Ike relocated to Columbia
in August 2009 from the Atlanta, GA area.
Ike and his wife, Joyce, have been
married for more than 40 years and have
two children and three grandsons.
Ike joined the SouthernCarolina Board
of Directors in 2014.
www.southerncarolina.org
Dr. Joseph Flowers, MD
Colleton County Council
Dr. Joseph Flowers, MD, has served as a Colleton County
Council member since 1999 and was Chairman from 2007 to
2010.
Born in Colleton County, he graduated from Lodge High
School, received a B.S. in Pre-Med from the Citadel in 1957
and subsequently graduated from the Medical College of South
Carolina (now Medical University) in 1961 with an M.D. degree.
Dr. Flowers interned at Spartanburg General Hospital from
1961 to 1962. He served in the US Army as a General Medical
Officer between 1962 and 1964 and came to Walterboro in
1964 to practice family medicine and has continued to practice
full time, currently working at Walterboro Family Practice.
Dr. Flowers formerly served as the Chief of Staff at Colleton
Medical Center. He established a Rural Health Clinic in
Walterboro and also provided high school athletic physicals
free of charge for over forty years. He is now honored by
a scholarship in his name for Colleton County students that
pursue studies in the medical field.
While on County Council, he has been active in the effort
for the development of the county-wide Fire-Rescue district,
a pro-business stalwart in the creation of the Colleton County
Commerce Center and Colleton Career Skills Training Center,
and a strong advocate for the improvements of the County
Recreation Department, such as the Ace Basin Sports Complex
and the Colleton Soccer
Facility.
Along with serving on
the
SouthernCarolina
Alliance board of directors,
he presently serves on
the Lowcountry Council
of Governments (LCOG),
the Lowcountry Regional
Airport Commission and
the Board of Visitors for
Colleton
Preparatory
Academy.
He is a member of the Republican Party and served as a
state delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2004,
2008 and 2012. He has also been awarded the Eisenhower
Award for support by the National Republican Party.
In 2014, Dr. Flowers was awarded the Walterboro-Colleton
Chamber of Commerce’s lifetime achievement award.
A member of Bethel United Methodist Church, he is married
to Libba Hiers Flowers; together they have seven children and
14 grandchildren.
Thomas Williams
Project Manager , Savannah River Remediation
Thomas Williams is
a native of Barnwell S.C.,
where he graduated from
Barnwell
High
School
and South Carolina State
University, where he earned
a B.S. Degree in Business
Administration with a minor
in Accounting. Thomas is
a member of the Union
United Methodist Church in
Kline, S.C., where he has
held numerous positions
including Chairperson of
the Administrative Board, Chairperson of Finance, Trustee, and
Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.
Thomas is also a member and past Master of Barnwell Lodge
#180, past Commander In Chief of Prince Hall Consistory #282,
and a member of Cairo Temple #125 of Ancient Egyptian Arabic
Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (Shriner). Thomas has served as
treasurer of the Barnwell County Democratic Party for 21 years.
He has also served on the Barnwell County Transportation
www.southerncarolina.org
Committee and as Chairperson of the Barnwell County Hospital
Board.
In 1999, Governor Jim Hodges appointed him to the Governing
Board of the S.C. Commission for the Blind. He served for three
years and then decided to run for Barnwell County Council. He
was elected in 2002 and served as Barnwell County Council
Chairperson in 2003 and 2010. He has also served on the
Board of Directors of the Savannah River Site Redevelopment
Authority.
Along with serving on the SouthernCarolina Alliance Board of
Directors, he is presently serving on the Board of Directors of the
Lower Savannah Council of Governments, Denmark Technical
College Foundation Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Clubs of
Southern Carolina Board of Directors, Big 7 Association Board
of Directors, Executive Vice President of the Ourglass Plan, and
President and founding member of the Barnwell County New
Voters League. In March of 2013, Thomas was appointed to the
Denmark Technical College Area Commission.
Thomas and his wife Katha have three children. He is currently
employed by Savannah River Remediation as a project manager.
page 13
USC Salkehatchie Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie kicked off
their 50th anniversary with the release of 5,000 balloons. Dr.
Ann Carmichael, Dean of USC Salkehatchie, said the balloons
represented the more than 5,000 graduates they’ve sent into the
world.
“They started here and have gone everywhere. Think of the
difference they’re making,” Carmichael said.
The school started in 1965 with 74 students and one building
and has grown into 200 acres, 20 buildings and 1,000 students at
the Allendale and Walterboro campuses.
Also addressing the crowd were S.C. Representative Lonnie
Hosey and Mr. John McCain. McCain was a member of the first
class in 1965. He fondly reminisced of professors, classmates and
his time spent at The University, crediting them with contributing to
his growth and success as an individual.
Carmichael said they are collecting stories from former students
and staff for a book to be published later this year. She also invited
everyone to come back on October 24 for an alumni and friends
celebration.
For more information on USC Salkehatchie, visit their website
at www.uscsalkehatchie.sc.edu.
USC Salkehatchie students released 5,000 balloons to kick off the 50th
Anniversary Celebration.
SCA Sponsors Advanced Regional Leadership Program
SouthernCarolina Alliance is sponsoring the Advanced Regional Leadership program facilitated by USC Salkehatchie. The
first class of 14 participants began on November 19, 2014. Individuals from Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and
Jasper Counties were selected to attend six leadership development sessions.
Topics include leadership development, economic development, business analysis and metrics, and the legislative process.
Students have visited the Darla Moore School of Business in Columbia and will travel to legislative offices in Washington, D.C. On
December 10 the group held their class at The Southern Carolina Business Center in Barnwell where SCA presented an overview of
the region and economic development along with the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Hampton County Economic
Development Commission.
Front Row: Warren Johnson, Attorney, Jasper County; Jacob Baker, Boy Scouts of America, Jasper County; Kristin Huber, PR/PI Specialist for SRNS, Barnwell
County; Arlene Washington, Executive Director of Lowcountry Community Action Agency, Colleton County; Rachael Sharp, COO of Sharp & Sharp Certified Seed,
Allendale County; Kimberli Scott, Owner and HR Manager at Collum’s Lumber Products, Allendale County; Blake Hodge, Director of Public Works, Hampton
County. Back Row: William Bowman, Owner of Perfect Image Portrait Studio and WBJ Board Consulting Group and Colleton County School Board Member;
Jonathan Vickery, Managing Editor of The People Sentinel, Barnwell County; Kevin Braddock, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, Hampton County; William
Robinson, Assistant Director of Emergency Management, Allendale County; Heather Ulmer, School-to-Work Coordinator at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School,
Bamberg County; Brad Griffin, CEO of Colleton Medical Center, Colleton County. Not Pictured: Adam Ness, Attorney, Bamberg County
page 14
www.southerncarolina.org
The Barnwell County Family YMCA Opens to the Public
SouthernCarolina Alliance joined others from the Barnwell
County community at a special ceremony to celebrate the grand
opening of the Barnwell County Family YMCA on January 30.
Danny McConnell, president and CEO of the Family YMCA
of Greater Augusta, led the ceremony that focused on giving
thanks to those who helped bring the YMCA to Barnwell County.
McConnell recognized Barnwell County Councilman Jerry
Creech, who spearheaded the effort to bring the YMCA to the
area.
“We would not be here without Jerry Creech,” McConnell
said.
Creech said he was just “one fish” of many who made
the YMCA a reality and also gave credit to Sheriff Ed Carroll,
SouthernCarolina Alliance, members of the Barnwell YMCA
Steering Committee, Barnwell County Council, Barnwell City
Council and numerous others who have donated time and
money. He also thanked Kronotex, a wood laminate flooring
manufacturer, for donating the laminate wood floors used in the
new facility.
Councilman Creech said he recognized a need for something
positive in the community.
“I want to get Barnwell County back on track,” said Creech,
citing how the YMCA could lead to more opportunities for the
community and possibly bring more jobs.
Matt Mullen has been hired as the director of the Barnwell
facility and has moved here with his wife and two children from
Illinois.
Danny Black, President and CEO of SCA, is pictured
with Barnwell County Councilmen Jerry Creech and
Lowell Jowers at the Barnwell County Family YMCA
Grand Opening VIP Ceremony.
“We’re ready to be part of the community,” said Mullen.
Twenty-two others have been hired to staff the facility.
The YMCA is a non-profit Christian-based organization
that focuses on strengthening communities through youth
development, healthy living and social responsibility. It officially
opened its doors to the public on January 31 by hosting an event
that included free food, live entertainment, free blood pressure
checks, fitness demonstrations, activities for children and a tour
of the facility. The Barnwell County YMCA is the tenth branch of the Augusta
family YMCA and is located at 660 Joey Zorn Boulevard across
from the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office. It has undergone a
complete renovation and now includes new floors, state-of-theart fitness equipment and children’s play equipment.
Besides the fitness center, the YMCA will offer group fitness
classes, a Livestrong program for cancer patients, a diabetes
prevention program, art classes and childcare. They plan to add
a pool once the funds are raised.
To assist those who can’t afford a membership, the YMCA
offers scholarships through fundraising. Energy Solutions
pledged $7,500 to the scholarship campaign over the next
three years. Lisa Firmender, chairperson of the Barnwell County
Family YMCA board, said 100 percent of the funds raised will
stay in the county.
For more information on the Barnwell County Family YMCA,
visit www.thefamilyy.org or call 803- 450-4151
Mike Benjamin of Energy Solutions presented Jerry
Creech with a check for $7,500 to go toward the
YMCA’s scholarship fund.
The newly renovated Barnwell County Family
YMCA facility located on Joey Zorn Boulevard.
The Reserve at Salkehatchie Celebrates Grand Opening
The Reserve at Salkehatchie, a new 100-bed student housing facility, celebrated its Grand Opening on November 24, 2014, and
USC Salkehatchie students are now living in the facility located adjacent to the school’s Allendale campus.
The project was made possible through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant secured by the Community Development &
Improvement Corporation (CDIC) of Aiken in association with SouthernCarolina Alliance (SCA). Hussey, Gay, Bell and DeYoung is
responsible for full architectural and interior design services, in addition to civil and structural engineering.
www.southerncarolina.org
page 15
SouthernCarolina Alliance
1750 Jackson Street, Suite 100
Barnwell, SC 29812
Good Jobs Build Opportunities.
Good Jobs Build Communities.
Good Jobs Build Dreams.
SouthernCarolina Alliance Salutes Our Industries
No matter where you work, you can thank our local industries. As the economic foundation on which our local economies
are built, our industries create opportunities for service providers and retail businesses, while providing additional tax revenue
to fund county services, schools and a great quality of life.
Our companies also provide unique and exciting job opportunities for our local residents.
You don’t have to travel far to find the high quality jobs that can build a career and make your dreams come true.
That’s why SouthernCarolina Alliance continues to work closely with our industries to help them grow,
while marketing the Southern Carolina region of our state to prospective companies as the best place in the world to live and work.
Regionalism at Work for Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties
1750 Jackson Street | Barnwell, SC 29812 | 803.541.0023 | www.southerncarolina.org