Pee Dee Palmetto Pulse, January / February

HEALTH CARE

Interim HealthCare Expands in South Carolina with Successful Palmetto State Health Care Entrepreneur

Interim HealthCare Inc., a leading network of home health and staffing services that span the care continuum, announced a major expansion in South Carolina, backed by Gary Cooper, a longtime South Carolina health care entrepreneur and co-founder of Palmetto Infusion Services. Alongside his son and business partner, Clemons Cooper, they will oversee operations across Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Florence, Kershaw, Lee, Marlboro, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties. Officials said the new franchise is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

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ACCREDITATION

McLeod Specialty Pharmacy Achieves Accreditation with ACHC

(Photo Courtesy of McLeod Health) dec.3

McLeod Health has announced that its outpatient pharmacy, McLeod Choice Pharmacy, has achieved specialty pharmacy accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). McLeod Choice Pharmacy’s specialty program is the first and only accredited Specialty Pharmacy by ACHC in Florence County. Jenna Swindler, vice president of pharmacy services for McLeod Health, said, “This accreditation provides expansion of access for patients and providers to evidence-based medication treatments for many common, chronic diseases, such as asthma and Crohn’s disease, and further enhances the care we deliver to our cancer patients.”

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FMU to Offer Eight Evening College Courses This Spring

Francis Marion will offer eight courses as part of its Spring 2026 Evening College program. Now in its eighth semester, Evening College offers courses for professional and personal development.

Spring offerings include:

Genealogy: Walking with Ancestors taught by Dr. Erica Johnson

C’est la Vie Française: French Language and Culture Oui-k by Oui-k taught by Melanie McMillan

Curtain Up! A Journey Through American Musical Theatre taught by Glen Gourley

True Crime in a Southern Clime: Florida’s Most Foul taught by Dr. Rebecca Flannagan

The Art of Acrylics: Beginner and Intermediate taught by Brittany Gilbert

Exploring Watercolor for Beginners taught by Jane Jackson

Level Up Your Layers: Intermediate Watercolor taught by Jane Jackson

There’s a New Stitch in Town: Beginning Sewing Techniques taught by Clair Hummel

Evening College credits are not applicable to degree programs. The 11-week program, taught by experts in each field, begins the week of Jan. 20 and costs $200 per course.

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PEOPLE

Florence County Economic Development Partnership Welcomes New Project Manager Josh McDaniel

Florence County Economic Development Partnership (FCEDP) announced the addition of Josh McDaniel as its new project manager. A native of Florence, he is a graduate of Francis Marion University, holding dual degrees in economics and supply chain management. McDaniel most recently completed the North Eastern Strategic Alliance’s (NESA) apprenticeship program. In his new role, he will be responsible for supporting business recruitment and retention, assisting with product development, and conducting research.

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SPOTLIGHT

(Photo Courtesy of McLeod Health)

Hundreds Gather for 40th Annual McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting

McLeod Hospice celebrated its 40th Annual “A Light for Someone You Love” Tree Lighting Ceremony, presented by Signature Wealth Strategies, Dec. 4, at McLeod Regional Medical Center. Hundreds attended the event which raised more than $149,000 to support programs and services provided by McLeod Hospice. During the ceremony, the family of Kaye Floyd-Parris, representing all the families served this year by McLeod Hospice, lit the trees. The Masterworks Choir also performed a new annual tradition song, “All Will Be Well” by Terre Johnson, a song commissioned specifically in honor of the 40th McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting. Crystal Orphan, administrator of McLeod Hospice and Palliative Care, presented the Spirit of Hospice award to M.B. Godbold during the event. Godbold was the 25th recipient of the award.

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MANUFACTURING AWARD

Otis Named Among America’s Most Responsible Companies for 4th Consecutive Year

Otis (NYSE: OTIS), a leading company for elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service, has been named among America’s Most Responsible Companies 2026 by Newsweek. This is the fourth consecutive year Otis has been included in the list, which recognizes U.S. companies for their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Companies were evaluated on more than 30 key performance indicators as well as the results of an independent survey of approximately 18,000 U.S. residents. Otis's main U.S. manufacturing facility is in Florence County, South Carolina.

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MERGER

Vanco and ACS Technologies Unite to Deliver More Connected Services and Solutions for Churches

Vanco, a leader in secure digital payments and online giving for faith communities, schools, and nonprofits, and ACS Technologies (ACST), the Florence-headquartered church management software and service provider, have officially merged. Vanco and ACST have worked as partners for over a decade, and their combined reach now serves more than 40,000 churches and ministries. Vanco’s faith organization will operate under the ACS Technologies name, and its payments capabilities will be woven into ACST’s leading platforms — including Realm and MinistryPlatform — so churches experience a more seamless, connected workflow. 

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MICROGRANTS

Duke Energy Foundation provides $125,000 in grants to South Carolina nonprofits to prepare homes for energy efficiency upgrades

Duke Energy and Duke Energy Foundation awarded a total of $125,000 in microgrants to South Carolina nonprofits to help bolster existing programs that help make the necessary repairs that enable households to become eligible for energy efficiency improvements and long-term cost savings. Qualified nonprofit organizations that prepare income challenged households for participation in energy efficiency and weatherization initiatives applied for grants up to $20,000 through a request for proposals process launched in September. Awardees in Pee Dee included the City of Florence ($10,000), Helping Florence Flourish ($10,000), and the United Way of Hartsville ($20,000).

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MANUFACTURING UPDATE

AESC Working to Resume Battery Plant Project

Scotty Davis, city manager for Florence, said that the AESC electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing plant project is expected to begin again soon. "AESC is working to continue to meet the requirements of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’,” he said. The project was halted due to “federal policy changes affecting the entire energy sector,” according to Brad Grantham, head of U.S. communications for AESC, short for Automotive Engineering and Supply Corp. Grantham said they are in “advanced discussions” with several industries to continue production at the plant and that he hopes AESC can share more information in the coming months. “The project remains paused at the moment, but we are in active discussions to restart the project as soon as possible,” Grantham said in a statement. “We remain fully committed to delivering 1,600 jobs in the region and over $1.6 billion in direct investment.”

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PEOPLE

SPC Credit Union Welcomes Allison Boulware as Vice President of Human Resources

SPC Credit Union announced the appointment of Allison Boulware, PHR, SHRM-CP, as vice president of human resources. Boulware, who joined the team in October, brings over 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience to the credit union and has been working alongside longtime SPC VP of HR Elaine Hungerpiller, who plans to retire in early January 2026. Boulware most recently served as director of human resources at Anderson Brothers Bank in Mullins, South Carolina, where she led transformational HR initiatives.