SC Department of Transportation approves funding to purchase land for I-73 corridor.
Efforts to secure federal funding for the South Carolina section of the proposed I-73 corridor, officially named the "Interchange of Hope," received a big boost last week as the South Carolina Department of Transportation approved funding to purchase land necessary to begin its construction.
Congress designated the I-73 project as a "Highway of National and Regional Significance," in 2005 because of the crucial impact it will have on the regional economy. According to a report released earlier this year authored by economists at Coastal Carolina University, construction on the interchange will create more than 7,500 jobs throughout the ten years the project takes to complete.
The University report also indicated that the interchange would grow tourism at the famed Myrtle Beach and be a boon to area economic development efforts, bringing much needed jobs to the region's hardworking but underemployed workforce.
"This is precisely the type of job-creating stimulus necessary to get our economy back on track," said South Carolina's Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence and Darlington). "Our state and federal leaders are working to bring the jobs back to communities all across the country. Columbia's decision to approve funding for the 'Interchange of Hope' is a good first step towards fulfilling that goal, and we now hope that Washington will follow suit."
"The I-73 project has been one of our organization's key focuses for some time," said Sen. J. Yancey McGill (D-Florence, Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg) Chairman of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA), an economic development organization encompassing South Carolina's northeast region. "I am glad to see that progress is being made on making the 'Interchange of Hope' a reality, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels."
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Trinity Iron Works Announces New Facility in Georgetown County
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Georgetown County today announced that Trinity Iron Works will locate its new facility in Georgetown County. The $500,000 investment is expected to generate 15 new jobs.
“We are pleased to locate our new operations in Georgetown County. This new facility will allow us to meet the growing demand from our customers and reach new markets. Georgetown County provides us with an excellent business environment, with a skilled workforce, terrific market access with the Port of Georgetown and close proximity to the Port of Charleston. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Mike Herron, owner of Trinity Iron Works.
Trinity Iron Works’ new operations will consist of its structural steel fabrication and erection operations and its pre-engineered metal buildings operations. The company serves customers in eastern North Carolina and South Carolina, and is expanding into the Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama markets.
“Trinity Iron Works is a growing provider of pre-engineered metal buildings and a structural steel manufacturer. The company’s decision to locate its new operations in South Carolina is a testament that our business-friendly climate and skilled workforce are working to attract new investments and job opportunities to our state. Thanks to the team effort of state and local officials, Georgetown County will benefit from this investment,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“Trinity Iron Works will become an important part of our local business community and we are pleased to see them invest in our area. We congratulate them on their success in these difficult economic times. Georgetown County is committed to working with new and existing businesses to bring investment and job opportunities to the residents of our county,” said Johnny Morant, Georgetown County Council Chairman.
For more information about Trinity Iron Works, please visit www.trinityironworks.net.
“We are pleased to locate our new operations in Georgetown County. This new facility will allow us to meet the growing demand from our customers and reach new markets. Georgetown County provides us with an excellent business environment, with a skilled workforce, terrific market access with the Port of Georgetown and close proximity to the Port of Charleston. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Mike Herron, owner of Trinity Iron Works.
Trinity Iron Works’ new operations will consist of its structural steel fabrication and erection operations and its pre-engineered metal buildings operations. The company serves customers in eastern North Carolina and South Carolina, and is expanding into the Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama markets.
“Trinity Iron Works is a growing provider of pre-engineered metal buildings and a structural steel manufacturer. The company’s decision to locate its new operations in South Carolina is a testament that our business-friendly climate and skilled workforce are working to attract new investments and job opportunities to our state. Thanks to the team effort of state and local officials, Georgetown County will benefit from this investment,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“Trinity Iron Works will become an important part of our local business community and we are pleased to see them invest in our area. We congratulate them on their success in these difficult economic times. Georgetown County is committed to working with new and existing businesses to bring investment and job opportunities to the residents of our county,” said Johnny Morant, Georgetown County Council Chairman.
For more information about Trinity Iron Works, please visit www.trinityironworks.net.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Roche Carolina Celebrates Completion of Expansion Project in Florence County
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Florence County Economic Development Partnership today celebrated the completion of a $60 million plant expansion at Roche’s Florence facility. The dedication ceremony held today at Roche Carolina was attended by over 200 local stakeholders and Roche employees. Among the special guests in attendance was William M. Burns, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Division of Roche. The expansion has allowed the company to double the facility’s manufacturing capacity. Roche Carolina employs more than 300 people at its Florence County operations.
“The decision to make this expansion investment in Florence reflects positively on our past achievements while the successful completion and startup of this production facility demonstrates the high quality of the workforce in the area. Both of these speak well about the business climate in Florence,” said Dr. Hans Groeger, Site Head Roche Carolina.
“Roche is one of the world’s largest healthcare companies and a leader in research-focused healthcare with strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche Carolina has been an important part of South Carolina’s business community for a number of years and the company’s decision to further expand its Florence operations signifies a continued commitment to our state. Today’s ceremony is also a reminder that our focus to enhance and maintain a business-friendly environment is working to attract new investment and encourage growth among our existing businesses. Thanks to the team effort of state and local officials, Florence County will benefit from this investment now and in the future,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“Roche’s expansion demonstrates their commitment to Florence County and dedication to help Florence continue to grow and prosper economically,” stated Florence County Council Chairman K.G. “Rusty” Smith. “I am delighted that yet another existing business is reinvesting and expanding in our county.”
“As a major player in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry, we are excited Roche chose to expand their roots in our region. Roche has been an incredible corporate citizen for many years; they consistently assist us in the recruiting of new industries to the area by selling the Florence community as a great place to do business,” said Dr. Charles Gould, Florence County Economic Development Partnership chairman.
Roche Carolina Inc. is a strategic process development and manufacturing facility in the pharmaceutical division of its parent company, Roche. Based in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leading healthcare company with a broad spectrum of products and services. The company has been discovering and providing novel healthcare products to the world for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit www.rochecarolina.com.
“The decision to make this expansion investment in Florence reflects positively on our past achievements while the successful completion and startup of this production facility demonstrates the high quality of the workforce in the area. Both of these speak well about the business climate in Florence,” said Dr. Hans Groeger, Site Head Roche Carolina.
“Roche is one of the world’s largest healthcare companies and a leader in research-focused healthcare with strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche Carolina has been an important part of South Carolina’s business community for a number of years and the company’s decision to further expand its Florence operations signifies a continued commitment to our state. Today’s ceremony is also a reminder that our focus to enhance and maintain a business-friendly environment is working to attract new investment and encourage growth among our existing businesses. Thanks to the team effort of state and local officials, Florence County will benefit from this investment now and in the future,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“Roche’s expansion demonstrates their commitment to Florence County and dedication to help Florence continue to grow and prosper economically,” stated Florence County Council Chairman K.G. “Rusty” Smith. “I am delighted that yet another existing business is reinvesting and expanding in our county.”
“As a major player in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry, we are excited Roche chose to expand their roots in our region. Roche has been an incredible corporate citizen for many years; they consistently assist us in the recruiting of new industries to the area by selling the Florence community as a great place to do business,” said Dr. Charles Gould, Florence County Economic Development Partnership chairman.
Roche Carolina Inc. is a strategic process development and manufacturing facility in the pharmaceutical division of its parent company, Roche. Based in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leading healthcare company with a broad spectrum of products and services. The company has been discovering and providing novel healthcare products to the world for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit www.rochecarolina.com.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Aviation Week Article Features Horry County
Myrtle Beach Adds Air Service, Facilities
Allegiant Air is entering the Myrtle Beach, S.C., market, the eighth airline to serve Myrtle Beach International Airport, which has become the hub of a model for redevelopment of a former military base.
The airport itself is expanding, with an 11,000-square-foot, $4.5 million general aviation terminal about half completed and scheduled for opening this fall. Expansion will continue as the Horry County-owned airport is laying plans to replace its commercial terminal with a new facility to be constructed adjacent to the current one. initial plans call for doubling the number of gates to 14, and the airport is also extending its 9,500-foot runway by 1,000 feet.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant will operate twice weekly from Huntington, W. Va., and is adding service from Allentown, Pa. The carrier joins Continental, Delta, Spirit, Northwest, Direct Air, US Airways and United Express as Myrtle Beach clients.
The leisure-oriented Myrtle Beach area has been a strong stimulus for airport growth and the redevelopment of the nearly 4,000-acre former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
"More than 80% of the former base property has been sold to private groups or developed, or [is] in the process of redevelopment by institutions," says Hugh Owns, president/CEO of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp.
The airfield was part of the initial round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in 1990. It was decommissioned in 1993, and South Carolina followed closely with the creation of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. At not cost, the city took over the base gold course and 100 acres of parks and athletic facilities. The county received the airport property, and 76 acres were dedicated to a technical college.
In the late 1990s, the redevelopment authority, under Executive Direction Buddy Styers, demolished 93 obsolete buildings and invested $30 million gained from the lease and sale of property to rebuild the infrastructure. McCaffery Interests of Chicago has been in charge of development, which has focused on the Market Common, a $600 million, 380,000-square-foot area of retail space, more than 95% or which is leased. It also includes 114 apartment rentals, 65 of which are currently occupied, 81 vacation apartment rentals that are regularly occupied, and 100 townhouses, a majority of which have been sold.
Horry County is working to develop a 460-acre site as an aviation industrial park. One-third of the site alongside the runway would be dedicated to aviation-related companies, one-third to aerospace industries, and one-third for a technology and office park.
"A unique feature of the Myrtle Beach Airport," says Owens, "is that it is only one mile from the beach and four miles from downtown. When you take off from the airport you are flying directly over the open ocean." -James Ott/jott@aviationweek.com
Allegiant Air is entering the Myrtle Beach, S.C., market, the eighth airline to serve Myrtle Beach International Airport, which has become the hub of a model for redevelopment of a former military base.
The airport itself is expanding, with an 11,000-square-foot, $4.5 million general aviation terminal about half completed and scheduled for opening this fall. Expansion will continue as the Horry County-owned airport is laying plans to replace its commercial terminal with a new facility to be constructed adjacent to the current one. initial plans call for doubling the number of gates to 14, and the airport is also extending its 9,500-foot runway by 1,000 feet.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant will operate twice weekly from Huntington, W. Va., and is adding service from Allentown, Pa. The carrier joins Continental, Delta, Spirit, Northwest, Direct Air, US Airways and United Express as Myrtle Beach clients.
The leisure-oriented Myrtle Beach area has been a strong stimulus for airport growth and the redevelopment of the nearly 4,000-acre former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
"More than 80% of the former base property has been sold to private groups or developed, or [is] in the process of redevelopment by institutions," says Hugh Owns, president/CEO of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp.
The airfield was part of the initial round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in 1990. It was decommissioned in 1993, and South Carolina followed closely with the creation of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. At not cost, the city took over the base gold course and 100 acres of parks and athletic facilities. The county received the airport property, and 76 acres were dedicated to a technical college.
In the late 1990s, the redevelopment authority, under Executive Direction Buddy Styers, demolished 93 obsolete buildings and invested $30 million gained from the lease and sale of property to rebuild the infrastructure. McCaffery Interests of Chicago has been in charge of development, which has focused on the Market Common, a $600 million, 380,000-square-foot area of retail space, more than 95% or which is leased. It also includes 114 apartment rentals, 65 of which are currently occupied, 81 vacation apartment rentals that are regularly occupied, and 100 townhouses, a majority of which have been sold.
Horry County is working to develop a 460-acre site as an aviation industrial park. One-third of the site alongside the runway would be dedicated to aviation-related companies, one-third to aerospace industries, and one-third for a technology and office park.
"A unique feature of the Myrtle Beach Airport," says Owens, "is that it is only one mile from the beach and four miles from downtown. When you take off from the airport you are flying directly over the open ocean." -James Ott/jott@aviationweek.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)