Pee Dee Palmetto Pulse September

RURAL SUPPORT

Grant Funds Available to Build on Progress in South Carolina's Rural Communities

The Rural Development Initiative annual competitive grant program, administered by S.C. Commerce, will accept applications from Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with awards being announced in January 2027. County and municipal governments are invited to submit implementation-ready projects. The first of those projects is nearing completion, with partners working to transform a vacant Main Street alleyway in Bishopville into a pocket park with seating, fresh landscaping, and a mural. Conway, Marion, McCormick, and Walterboro have also completed plans and are moving toward implementation.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

Rural Infrastructure Authority Awards Construction Grants to Upgrade Critical Infrastructure in Five Pee Dee Counties

GRAND OPENING

Cheney Brothers Grand Opening of Florence Distribution Facility June 17 Marks Major Investment and Job Growth

Cheney Brothers, Inc., Florence County Economic Development Partnership, and design-build firm A M King hosted a grand opening event on June 17 for the food distributor’s first facility in South Carolina. A M King has completed design and construction of the 386,047-square-foot refrigerated/freezer distribution center, which includes 45 loading docks, a Cheney Express, and the largest culinary kitchen the company has developed to date. Cheney Brothers employs more than 3,800 individuals and reports annual revenues exceeding $3.2 billion.

MENTAL HEALTH

McLeod Regional Medical Center Opens EmPATH Unit

McLeod Regional Medical Center has opened a  15-bed pediatric behavioral health crisis stabilization unit. The hospital was one of 13 South Carolina hospitals to receive funding from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to build specialized hospital-based emergency department units dedicated to behavioral health crises. McLeod’s Pediatric EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) Unit in the McLeod Children’s Hospital is for pediatric patients suffering from acute psychiatric crises.

CHAMBER APPRECIATION

Florence Chamber of Commerce Hosts Annual Board Appreciation Luncheon, Celebrates Departing Board Members

The Florence Chamber held its annual Board Appreciation Luncheon on June 18 to acknowledge departing board members for their service. The chamber staff presented current chairperson Paige Ard, VP and People Business partner at Assurant, with an appreciation plaque honoring her service to the chamber. The incoming Chamber chairperson is Ashley Christenbury, senior vice president-city executive at First Bank, who began her term July 1. Departing board members include Ed Hoffman, Trinity Collegiate; Kirby Anderson, Raldex Hospitality; Rose Abuaita, Raines Company; Jay Hinesley, MUSC Health Florence; Dr. Brian Sang, Palmetto Smiles; and Amber Stephens, American Red Cross.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Thermo Fisher Scientific Showcases New Capabilities Across Manufacturing, Clinical Development, and AI-Enabled Research at BIO International 2026

• Expanded AI-enabled scientific workflows through strategic relationships with NVIDIA, OpenAI, TetraScience, and BenchSci.

• Through Accelerator Drug Development, Thermo Fisher is helping emerging biotech companies combine scientific expertise, AI-enabled workflows, and laboratory technologies for more efficient clinical development.

• Recent software acquisitions, MSAID and Proteinaceous, strengthen Thermo Fisher’s proteomics ecosystem by adding AI, machine learning, and proteoform analysis capabilities that help scientists interpret complex population-scale datasets faster and with greater confidence.

NATIONAL EXCELLENCE

McLeod Health President and CEO Donna Isgett Earns National Recognition for Transformational Leadership

Becker's Hospital Review has named Isgett to its prestigious list of "Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know," recognizing leaders across the country who are expanding access to care, driving innovation, improving quality, and shaping the future of health care. Isgett is one of only two hospital CEOs in South Carolina to receive the honor this year. Since joining McLeod Health in 1997, Isgett has helped shape the organization into one of the nation's leading health care systems before becoming the first woman to serve as president and CEO in 2021.

SPOTLIGHT

MUSC Health Breaks Ground on New Hollings Cancer Center Facility at Florence Medical Center

MUSC Health has officially broken ground on the future MUSC Hollings Cancer Center at Florence Medical Center. Expected to open in winter 2027, the new cancer center will be a three-story, 63,000-square-foot facility located on the MUSC Health Florence Medical Center campus. The facility will serve as a regional hub for advanced cancer care, extending the reach of South Carolina’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center. The facility will also provide patients access to clinical trials, research opportunities, and specialized therapies.

MANUFACTURING

SteelFab Expands Florence County Operations

SteelFab, Inc., a leader in the steel fabrication industry, announced it is expanding its operations in Florence County. The company’s $38.92 million investment will create 108 jobs. SteelFab’s new facility, located at 500 Freedom Blvd. in Florence, will produce fabricated steel parts for U.S. naval defense purposes. Operations are expected to be online in September 2027. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. The council also awarded a $300,000 Set-Aside grant to Florence County.

NATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Pee Dee Brewery Shines in National Competition

The South Carolina Brewer’s Guild has announced that nine South Carolina breweries have won 17 total awards, including Hartsville’s Wild Heart Brewing Company winning Brewery of the Year (501-1,000 Barrels), at the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship, held in Oxford, Ohio. Jerry Rivers, head brewer at Wild Heart Brewing in Hartsville, said, “We’re incredibly honored to receive Brewery of the Year for our production size. We’re proud to represent South Carolina and be part of such a great craft beer community. Thank you to everyone who supports Wild Heart Brewing and SC beer, and congratulations to all of the breweries recognized in this year’s competition.”

SPOTLIGHT

SC Commerce Announces Significant Impacts of Rural Grant Programs

The South Carolina Department of Commerce has announced the following significant measurable impacts resulting from the initial $65 million Rural Initiative Grant and Rural Broadband Grant programs:

• New law enforcement center in Bamberg County 

• Alcolu Technology & Industrial Park improvements in Clarendon County leading to hosting Homanit's first U.S. manufacturing operation

• Construction of new speculative industrial building in Fairfield County, now selected as the site of Mega Metal's first South Carolina operation

• Greeleyville sewer system expansion in Williamsburg County 

• Downtown Bishopville revitalization in Lee County

HEALTH CARE

McLeod Health Foundation Receives $1,035,000 in Grants from The Duke Endowment

 The McLeod Health Foundation has received two grants from The Duke Endowment totaling $1,035,000 over the next two years. The first grant for $500,000 supports AccessHealth McLeod. Launched at McLeod in 2014, AccessHealth provides navigation services to uninsured patients with chronic illnesses across 11 counties. The second grant for $535,000 will support the McLeod Medication Access Team. Established in 2025, the Medication Access Team helps McLeod Clinics manage prior authorization insurance requirements related to medications.

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