Wedding & Event Venue Near Florence, SC.

The complex (located on Jennie O'Bryan Avenue, next to the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center) already has Carolina Bank Field, home to the Coastal Plain League’s Florence Flamingos.

Now, it has five LED-lighted Little League Baseball fields (four batting cages for these) and an LED-lighted high school-regulation diamond (with bullpens, and players can use batting cages at Carolina Bank Field).

But that’s not all.

There is an LED-lighted track & field facility.

The opening ceremony for Little League Baseball is 9 a.m. Saturday on the high school/regulation field (Field No. 1). And youth games will start at 10 a.m. on Fields 2 through 6.

“It will be a mixture of satisfaction and relief. Maybe a little scared. Now that it’s here, it becomes more of an operational piece,” said Tim Wilson, athletic director for the City of Florence Athletics and Sports Tourism Department. “It’s fun when you’re building it and all that. And now, we’ve got to run it and make sure it’s staffed and doing everything properly.

“We want to make sure it’s enjoyable for the community.”

FINANCIAL IMPACT It is also expected to be an economic home run for the community.

“We’re averaging around $9 million a year in economic impact through the sports tourism market, and I think we can grow that,” Wilson said. “With this facility, I think we can get up to a $15-16 million economic impact each year.”

City manager Randy Osterman is also enthusiastic.

“As we continue to improve and add sports facilities, it opens up much more opportunity for sports tourism events generating hospitality revenue for the city and businesses within Florence,” he said.

To have a chance at generating more money, a lot of it had to be spent.

According to Wilson, construction costs for the entire complex were $19,539,500. It cost $343,072 for each of the baseball fields.

And as for the track-and-field facility, that cost $1,891,949.42.

THE BEGINNING “The idea for the Florence Sports Complex, as well as other parks, recreation, and athletic capital projects that have been completed over the past several years, began in early 2017 when City Council approved a resolution to issue a $15 million bond for construction and improvements to the City’s park system,” said Chuck Pope, public works director for the City of Florence.

The logistics were then put into play.

“The City contracted with FitFields, a Division of The Dodd Studio from Fort Mill, to provide strategy, consulting and design services for the Sports Complex. Edcon, Inc., from Peak, South Carolina, was hired as the general construction contractor for the Sports Complex,” Pope said. “Construction began in May 2021. It has been a pleasure working with both FitFields and Edcon in the design and construction phases of the project.”

Pope then talked about the proverbial hurdles faced during construction.

“One of our biggest challenges in the construction process of our facility was the supply chain issues that our contractors had to deal with over the past couple of years,” Pope said. “Fortunately, our construction time schedule allowed us some leeway in these delays and enough time to get the project completed for this year’s opening ceremony of our youth league programs.”

TIME TO PLAYFlorence’s second season of Little League Baseball is upon us.

“The City of Florence, in January 2022, decided to bring all our existing youth baseball leagues under Little League Baseball,” Pope said. “The City felt that the most efficient, effective, and equitable way to serve all City of Florence residents and youth participants is through this conversion of the City’s baseball programs playing at Maple Park, McLeod Park, and Northside Park.

ON YOUR MARK ... And then, there is the track-and-field facility.

“The track is very exciting,” Wilson said. “The stadium is a cool thing; the baseball fields are cool things, but (the track) is something the city has needed for a while. Our track program (Florence Track Club) has a lot of kids in it. And it’s exciting to finally give them a space.”

According to FTC president Winston Stewart, past track practices had primarily been held at West Florence High School. Wilson was the next option. Then, if no other place could be found, practice was canceled.

Then, FTC would host meets at Darlington High.

“That was due to the unavailability of a facility (in Florence) that had the capacity to accommodate 800-plus athletes from other clubs around the state and their families,” Stewart said.

Now, that will change.

“The new facility will allow the FTC to better manage and conduct safe and effective practices for the athletes (ages 5 to 18, with typically more than 200 total athletes each spring),” Stewart said. “For the broader track and field community (including other local clubs, high schools, and colleges), the new facility offers a good alternative to host and participate in events at a quality facility, with potentially the capacity to accommodate large crowds, such as for state level or multi-state championships.

“For the city of Florence, the new facility adds to the variety of sporting events to attract visitors to benefit the local economy.”

WHERE TO PARK

In addition to the 525-space parking lot at Carolina Bank Field (it can also be used for youth events), another lot of the same size will be near the youth baseball fields and track. There is also parking space at the tennis center if there isn’t a major tennis tourney at the time.

There is one concessions/restroom building for the youth baseball/track area.

“We may have to utilize porta potties for fields 5 and 6 (the lower two fields) and for large tournaments and track events,” Wilson said.

Food trucks are a possibility, too.

There are two portable sets of bleachers at each field and the track, except for fields 5 and 6 because the sets of bleachers originally meant for there are now at the track. Soon, according to Wilson, sets of bleachers will be back at fields 5 and 6.

A SCORER’S VIEW

There are portable scorers’ boxes that can be put outside the gate behind home plate, and for judges/scorers to sit at for track meets. Not only is the track wired for possible electronic timing, it’s also possible at youth baseball fields for games to be live-streamed (one camera behind the plate, another for center field).

Pope also talked about what went into the FSC’s youth baseball fields.

“The youth baseball fields that have been constructed are first class. The ballfields were laser graded and constructed with an underdrain system, a sand-based compacted subgrade, 7” of root zone material, and the grass surface is Tifway 419 Bermuda sod,” Pope said. “The infield surface is a mixture of clay, sand, and surface conditioner. The young people will now be playing on ballfields like what they see the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers play on at their respective universities.”

According to Wilson, fields 5 and 6 (no grass infields) can possibly be converted for Little League Softball games.

Whatever sport is played at the sports complex, it’s obvious the future is bright.

“From a sports tourism perspective, the new complex provides us with the opportunity to bid on track events and larger baseball tournaments that we’ve not been able to host in Florence. An increase in tournaments and sports tourism related events benefits our hospitality industry and entire community through economic impact,” said Jade Perkins, tourism development manager with the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“The addition of new venues and complexes over the last few years has really helped put Florence on the map as a premier host for amateur sporting events in the Southeast.”

Youth baseball teams have been practicing on the FSC’s fields since March 13. The City of Florence’s other parks, meanwhile, will maintain big roles.

“Freedom Florence will continue to be a big tournament hub,” Wilson said. “It’s also home to the youth softball program, which is also part of Little League, so that won’t change. Football will continue to be over there. This is a partnership with Freedom. Parks like Maple Park, McLeod Park and Northside Park − we’re still utilizing those for practice and will continue to do so.

“Depending on the growth of the baseball program, we might have to go back and utilize those for games,” he added. “This year, our T-Ball program will play at McLeod some.”

The search is under way for a Florence Sports Complex director.

“I believe this Sports Complex will provide first class facilities for our young athletes in the Florence community,” Pope said. “I also believe that this complex, along with other city facilities (Freedom Florence, Florence Soccer Complex, Florence Tennis Center, and Pearl Moore Basketball Center) offer an opportunity for the City of Florence to be very competitive in the recruitment of various sports tourism events.”

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Wednesday morning for a Japanese battery plant along the 1300 block of Estate Road near Wilson High School in Florence.

The plant will employ more than 1,100 workers with an average salary of around $65,000 a year, according to officials.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Carolina Secretary of State of Commerce Harry Lightsey, Managing Director of AESC Jeff Deaton, as well as other state, city and county leaders will be on hand for the event.

UPDATED GALLERY: Gov. McMaster, other officials break ground for Japanese battery plant in Florence

Florence County Economic Development CEO Gregg Robinson calls it one of the biggest economic development projects in the county's history.

"For the North Eastern section of the entire state, this is the biggest economic development project that we have ever had. It ranks in the top three for economic development projects for the state of South Carolina. For the Northeastern strategic alliance in our region, this is an opportunity for us to grow our tax base. To advance qualities of life. And employ future generations in a brand new technology. It’s a milestone," said Robinson.

The state will provide water, sewer and a newly built road from Highway 327 to Estate Road, as an incentive, for the plant.

SEE MORE: Behind the scenes: CCMF set up underway in downtown Myrtle Beach

"Incentives are the critical part of the package. But it’s not the only part. But you have to have it ready. And so, our infrastructure is being provided by the state of South Carolina. With water and sewer upgrades. Directly behind us, you see the water tabs that are going in from the city. We will have a new road that’s coming from 327 back all the way to Koppers. So, we are dedicating all of this infrastructure to developing 950 acre industrial Park. Where AESC will be the anchor tenant. And that's very important. We will have a number of suppliers. And a number of companies that will support AESC in the next 20 years," said Robinson.

AESC will supply technology-leading battery cells to be used in the next-generation electric vehicle models produced at the BMW Group’s Plant in Spartanburg. The advanced battery format will result in 20% more energy density than the current generation, reduce charging time and increase range and efficiency for electric vehicles by 30%.

AESC has 5,600 employees and 12 manufacturing sites in Japan, the U.S., the U.K., France, Spain and China.

In the past 12 years, AESC has produced power batteries for more than 800,000 electric vehicles in 59 countries, achieving a record of 'zero critical battery malfunction, according to a news release.

FLORENCE, S.C. (WIS) - On Thursday, state leaders announced what they are calling an innovative approach to treating South Carolinians’ growing mental health needs.

It will start with a new, $100 million behavioral health facility in the Pee Dee, but its successes could be replicated in other parts of South Carolina.

“That’s why we’re here today: celebrating a bold, new, and aggressive approach to treat behavioral health across the state of South Carolina,” Francis Marion University President Dr. Fred Carter said at the announcement event Thursday in Florence.

That kind of approach is what medical leaders say South Carolina desperately needs right now.

“I’m not even going to talk about the tsunami of anxiety and depression that our youth are facing — by the way, stay tuned because it’s heading our direction,” Medical University of South Carolina President Dr. David Cole said. “I think this provides a basis for us to actually start putting the fire out and then start doing something on a larger scale to actually have us have a healthy society to reflect the health of our state.”

On Thursday, state and medical leaders gathered outside the future site of a regional behavioral health hub in downtown Florence, located at an MUSC-owned property on E. Cedar St.

Construction is slated to start in 2024, with the facility opening two years after that to serve the Pee Dee region, according to Cole.

The facility will offer a combination of triage, crisis stabilization, telehealth, outpatient, and inpatient services, a first-of-its-kind model in South Carolina.

“When good things happen, they happen here first, and they happen here fast, and today is another example of that,” Gov. Henry McMaster said.

The project announced Thursday is a public-private partnership between the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Mental Health, MUSC, McLeod Health, Francis Marion University, and HopeHealth.

Up to $100 million in state funds have been set aside for this facility, along with another $5 million from the City of Florence.

“This is the future of what’s coming to South Carolina,” Speaker of the House Murrell Smith, R – Sumter, said. “This is the model of care that we’re going to set up regionally throughout the state, and we’re going to have a vibrant and successful behavioral health system.”

State leaders say they will be looking at what works at the Florence facility to use it as a model for future behavioral health hubs in other regions of South Carolina.

“We’d like to get some of those models learning from quick wins, quick learning that we’re going to experience as we bring this facility up. I’m hoping in the next couple years, we start getting some replication in some other areas,” SCDHHS Director Robby Kerr said.

The Florence behavioral health hub will be named in honor of the late Florence County Sen. Hugh Leatherman, who chaired the state Senate’s powerful budget-writing committee and advocated for the facility’s creation at the State House before his death in 2021.

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Furthering its commitment to manufacturing next-generation batteries in the United States, accelerating the transformation to e-mobility.

FLORENCE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AESC (the “Company”), a world-leading Japanese battery technology company, held a groundbreaking ceremony today on its new battery plant in Florence County, South Carolina. AESC U.S. Managing Director Jeff Deaton, along with local leaders including Governor Henry McMaster and Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey, attended the groundbreaking event on-site in Florence.

“Today, South Carolina is proud to celebrate AESC as the company embarks on a historic chapter in our state,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Florence County has been ripe for an investment of this magnitude — one that will transform local communities and create generational wealth for South Carolinians. The groundbreaking for AESC’s battery cell gigafactory is a landmark moment in the evolution of South Carolina’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry.”

With construction of the 1.5 million square foot plant underway, commercial operations are expected to commence in 2026, creating 1,170 new jobs for the local community.

“This groundbreaking marks another major milestone in AESC’s commitment to investing in South Carolina and manufacturing electric vehicle batteries,” said AESC U.S. Managing Director Jeff Deaton. “AESC continues to be a global leader in developing next generation EV battery technology, and we’re proud to be further growing our capacity to build those products in U.S. facilities, accelerating the transition to clean energy transportation.”

The new 30 GWh battery plant builds on AESC’s existing battery manufacturing network that includes a plant in operation in Tennessee and another plant under construction in Kentucky. Collectively, AESC’s U.S. plants upon completion will provide up to 70 GWh capacity annually, powering the shift to electric vehicles with U.S.-made batteries and components.

The AESC Florence site supports the Company’s multi-year partnership with BMW Group, announced in October 2022. Under the agreement, AESC will supply technology-leading battery cells for next generation electric vehicle models produced at BMW’s Spartanburg plant. The advanced battery format will result in 20% higher energy density than the current generation, with reduced charging time and increased range and efficiency of 30%.

Aligning with the Company’s global commitment to sustainability, the new manufacturing plant will be 100% powered by clean energy. Leveraging the net-zero solutions of its partners, AESC will implement renewable energy generation, carbon management and reduction software, and a battery recycling system to accelerate carbon neutrality throughout the entire battery value chain. AESC is also committed to pursuing responsible sources for its critical battery materials, providing full transparency into extraction methods. The Company increasingly relies on recycled materials, leading to an overall reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from cell production at the new plant.

Individuals interested in joining the AESC team in Florence should visit readySC’s recruitment website to explore opportunities. Companies interested in becoming a supplier for AESC should complete S.C. Commerce’s online interest form.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES

“AESC’s groundbreaking marks a tremendous milestone for the future of South Carolina’s economy and, specifically, electric vehicle industry. The company’s new gigafactory brings the world’s leading EV battery technology to our state, and with it, the long-term career, and educational opportunities paramount for Florence County to develop, attract and retain top talent. We congratulate AESC and look forward to supporting the company’s continued success.”

- Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“AESC’s groundbreaking marks a historic day for Florence County and its residents, as it will bring an abundance of high paying jobs to our community. We know AESC will be a vital and active partner in the County for decades to come.”

- Willard Dorriety, Chairman Florence County Council

“AESC’s significant investment in our community will offer unique career opportunities for our citizens and economic growth to our local community. We are honored to participate in today’s groundbreaking and look forward to working with our community members and stakeholders to ensure AESC’s success here in Florence.”

- Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin

“We are ecstatic about AESC’s decision to locate in Florence County and are honored to be celebrating this groundbreaking today alongside the community leaders whose collaboration made this project possible.”

- Rocky Pearce, Chairman Florence County Economic Development Partnership

" What an exciting day for Florence County and all of the NESA region. We applaud the efforts of all those involved in securing this location for our area. We welcome AESC to our manufacturing community and look forward to the positive impact that they will make within our region."

- Yancey McGill, Chairman North Eastern Strategic Alliance

About AESC

AESC (formerly Envision AESC) is a Japan-headquartered global battery technology company dedicated to the research, development, design, manufacturing, and sale of power batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems. AESC has over 5,000 employees and 13 manufacturing sites across Japan, the U.S., the U.K., France, Spain, and China.

Over the past 13 years, AESC has produced power batteries for more than 800,000 EVs across 59 countries, achieving a flawless record of 'zero critical incidents.' AESC teams strive for continuous improvement and global leadership in product development, quality, and sustainability. In 2022, AESC was again named among 'Global Tier 1 Battery Companies' by Benchmark, a leading UK-based lithium-ion battery supply chain research organization.

About Florence County Economic Development

Since 1999, Florence County Economic Development Partnership has served as the public-private entity that works to recruit new business and industry to Florence County, South Carolina, while also helping existing industries grow and expand. Florence County Progress, the private sector arm of Florence County Economic Development Partnership works to promote, implement and support activities designed to improve economic development within Florence County. To learn more visit fcedp.com.

Contacts

For Florence County Economic Development: Debbie Jones Membership Relations Manager 843-676-8796 dsjones@florenceco.org

FLORENCE, S.C. (WMBF) – A commissioner with the Florence Housing Authority has been removed from her position.

The Florence City Council voted unanimously on Thursday morning to remove Linda Becote from the board of commissioners for the Housing Authority of Florence.

“It’s a very difficult day and very difficult days leading up to today,” said Florence Councilman Bryan A. Braddock “You are our voice on that board.”

The housing authority helps provide safe and affordable housing for low-income residents in the city of Florence, while also helping residents to become self-sufficient.

A hearing took place to determine if Becote should be removed for “inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office.”

Council made the decision to remove her due to misconduct in office.

Councilmembers were not pleased during the meeting, saying they could be focusing on other things they considered more important.

“This takes away these types of activities. This takes away from that and that’s why I am not pleased. Because we are here today when the board needs to be focused on other things,” Braddock said.

Back on April 12, the Housing Authority of Florence board voted in favor of petitioning the mayor to have Becote removed from her position.

The resolution from the board of commissioners states that Becote violated the Ethics Act and the rules and regulations governing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. It also shows that the board determined that her conduct placed the Florence Housing Authority and the residents it serves at “substantial risk.”

According to some of the documents presented during Thursday’s hearing, Becote and her husband leased a property that is managed by the Florence Housing Authority.

During that time, documents show Becote would use her position to receive special treatment in the way her home was maintained and repaired, while other tenants were not allowed to make such demands.

Some of those documents said that Becote told housing authority employees to install new appliances in her home and use paint from the housing authority for her house.

Becote attorney said she used to be a member of the board for 18 years and six years as the chairman.

She and her husband had the chance to speak to the board, saying that all the allegations are false.

“Those were not true and there was nothing. No evidence whatsoever of the inefficiency of the board by Ms. Becote as chairperson. I am dumbfounded by their decision and we will appeal it,” said John Bledso, the attorney for the Becote family.

The Housing Authority of Florence released this statement after the city council’s decision:

The Florence City Council has voted today to remove one of our commissioners, Mrs. Linda Becote. We, the Board of Commissioners accept this decision. We thank Mrs. Becote for her service to the Housing Authority of Florence.

As we move past this episode, the Board of Commissioners can now focus on solving more pressing issues, such as the mitigation of the mold problem, reopening Creekside Village and hiring a new Executive Director.

Copyright 2023 WMBF. All rights reserved.