Pee Dee Electricom, a subsidiary of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, and Marion County announced a partnership to build a spec building in the Marion County Industrial Park. The theme for the project is, " A new light is shining in Marion County."
The 50,000 square foot facility can expand to 200,000 square feet. It will sit on 12-acres less than ten minutes from Interstate 95.
The building will be used to attract industry to Marion County. The county has been ranked near the top of the state in unemployment rates for the past 12 years. The county lost a number of factories and textile mills beginning with the closing Russell Stover in 2000. It was the largest employer in Marion County with 836 employees.
"Unfortunately, we boast the highest unemployment rate in the State of South Carolina something that we're not proud of, but this is a step in the right direction, " said Senator Kent Williams, (D) Marion.
"This is absolutely ammunition for our fire power. The biggest things you can do in economic development, and for the past three years, we've been putting these type of things in our pipeline and I think 2012 will be, I'm comfortable saying, will be the biggest one of the biggest years that Marion County's had, " said Rodney Berry, Executive Director Marion County Economic Development Commission.
Monday morning, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site. They expect a major industry to move into the spec building, eventually putting people back to work in Marion County.
County leaders praised their partnership with Pee Dee Electricom, agreeing it was a smart move that will reap dividends for the county.
"I'm very optimistic. From day one, Pee Dee Electric has been a Godsend to Marion County and going to serve the residents of this county very well," said Elista Smith, Marion County Council Chairperson.
"We have to do all we can to get jobs and investments for the members we serve and this is a great pathway to doing that," explained Toy Nettles, President & CEO of Pee Dee Electricom, Inc.
Construction on the spec building is expected to be completed by September, but county leaders believe they will get dozens of calls from potential industries before the building is finished.
