SPOTLIGHT
McLeod Health recently recognized four individuals with the inaugural McLeod Health President’s Award to celebrate their leadership, service, and contributions to the organization. Established by Donna Isgett, president and CEO of McLeod Health, the President’s Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, vision, and commitment have significantly advanced the mission of McLeod Health. The inaugural recipients are Dr. C. Richard Alexander, Jr.; Frank V. Boulineau III; Sherron Brown; and Adele Hewitt, R.N. “In this, our 120th anniversary year at McLeod Health, it is indeed my great honor to present the inaugural McLeod Health President’s Award,” said Isgett. “Every day, there are people within McLeod Health who quietly make a difference. They lift up those around them, guide others through challenges, and dedicate themselves to improving the lives of our patients and communities. Their impact is measured not only in achievements, but in the relationships they build, the lives they touch, and the legacy they leave behind.”
SPOTLIGHT
Able South Carolina (Able SC), has been awarded an $80,000 grant from SC Student Loan Corporation through its philanthropy, Power:Ed, to expand Able SC’s Youth-to-Adult Transition Program to more underserved schools and rural communities across the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate. Able SC believes that every student should be given the opportunity to build skills that allow them to become successful at work, so they can find employment, work towards their individual goals, and become full members of their community. The process begins with Able SC’s team of young professionals, who are individuals with disabilities themselves, coming into classrooms and teaching lessons on self-advocacy, work readiness, and disability pride. By being disability led, youth can see peers with disabilities who have successfully achieved their goals and feel empowered to do the same. The opportunity provided by Power:Ed will allow Able SC to further continue their work and teach one hundred students in grades 6–12 and post-high school across South Carolina's Upstate, Pee Dee, and Midlands, focusing on high-poverty, rural areas like Marlboro, McCormick, and Chester counties.
Carl Humphries, CEO of HopeHealth, was recognized as 2026 Champion for Youth by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area. He was given the award Aug. 25 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology at Florence-Darlington Technical College. Humphries, who has led HopeHealth since 2000, was recognized for his work as well as his community service. In 2017, he was recognized with the Fred R. Sheheen Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Leadership. “As a pillar of the community, we are proud to honor Carl as our 2026 Champion for Youth,” said Neal Zimmerman, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area.
Meeting the demands of South Carolina's continued growth will require more than new infrastructure. It will require a skilled workforce ready to build it, and to help strengthen that talent pipeline, Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $180,000 in grants to nine technical colleges across the state. The grants will help to expand construction-related training, enhance hands-on learning opportunities, and support industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields. Each of these schools received a $20,000 grant that supports workforce training programs, welding tools, materials and supplies for electrician programs and more.
Central Carolina Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Greenville Technical College
Northeastern Technical College
Piedmont Technical College
Spartanburg Community College
Tri-County Technical College
Williamsburg Technical College
York Technical College
"Florence-Darlington Technical College is grateful to have Duke Energy as a partner providing funds for our Electrician Program," said Debbie Cheek, interim president of Florence-Darlington Technical College. "Construction is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Pee Dee, yet nearly half of construction firms cite labor shortages as the leading cause of project delays. ... With the help of Duke Energy and its support of FDTC's electrician program, we are helping to fill the demand for highly skilled electricians."
HopeHealth has announced the acquisition of Eastern Carolina Pediatric Associates (ECPA), a respected pediatric practice that has served children and families throughout the Pee Dee for more than 40 years. The acquisition expands access to trusted pediatric care in Florence and Darlington Counties while preserving the relationships families have established with their providers for decades. Dr. Richard Davis and Dr. John Keith have built a pediatric practice that takes care of the whole child, serving Pee Dee families for many years. “Joining HopeHealth allows us to continue the legacy of care our patients have trusted for 42 years while providing access to additional resources and services that will benefit children and families throughout the region,” said Davis, ECPA president and co-founder. “We share the same commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care, and we are excited about what this partnership means for the future of pediatric health care in our community.”
Several health care providers in the Pee Dee region will share in the 228 grants announced last month by Gov. Henry McMaster. The awards, totaling $167,299,900.69 statewide, are intended to strengthen health care access, quality and outcomes in primary care, maternal and infant care, pediatrics and behavioral health in rural communities. These grants provide one-time funding for high-impact, sustainable health care initiatives that remove systemic challenges and build infrastructure and long-term capacity through facility modernization, technology upgrades, and workforce development. Recipients include Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, $268,713 for Connections to Care initiative and $2.163 million for facility enhancements; Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority, $585, 090; and Pee Dee Mental Health Center, $181,261 for mobile crisis response.
Last month, the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority launched the the Tri-County Connector, a new service connecting Marion, Dillon, and Florence counties. The service combines a fixed route and Demand Response model to meet regional transportation needs while expanding transportation options between Marion, Dillon, and Florence counties. The Tri-County Connector provides scheduled connections to help residents access employment, health care, education, and other essential destinations throughout the Pee Dee region. The Morning Connector provides an early morning connection from Marion and Mullins to Harbor Freight in Dillon. Beginning at 8 a.m., the service transitions to a reservation-based Demand Response model providing scheduled transportation connections between Marion, Dillon and Florence counties. The service provides connections between Marion and Dillon, from Marion or Dillon to Florence, and from Florence to Marion or Dillon for return trips only.
Florence-Darlington Tech (FDTC) has received a $474,296 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. government’s independent science agency. “We are sincerely grateful to receive this NSF Award and for the opportunity it provides to advance technician training at our college,” FDTC Interim President Dr. Debbie Cheek said. “Our dedicated faculty have developed an innovative approach to training that has the potential to shape future curriculum not only at Florence-Darlington Tech, but beyond our campus as well.” A key focus of the grant will be the integration of several robotic technologies from Mechatronics into CNC courses within the Machine Tool Technology (MTT) program. Students will gain hands-on experience using robotics alongside CNC machining, helping them understand how automated systems, robotic material handling, and CNC equipment work together in modern advanced manufacturing environments. The project will allow FDTC faculty to develop and test new instructional approaches that better connect mechatronics, robotics, automation, and CNC machining, preparing students with the cross-disciplinary technical skills increasingly needed by advanced manufacturing employers.
The Darlington County Council last month voted against a proposed nine-month moratorium on new solar and wind projects. The ruling, which passed by a 5-3 vote, came after a public hearing in which residents shared support and concerns about the proposed moratorium. Palladium Energy is working to develop Stripe Solar, a large solar project in Kellytown. Among the guidelines are that solar panels should not be located within 100 feet of a property boundary or within 600 feet of a "properly permitted residential structure." The ruling allows projects such as Stripe Solar to continue through the development and permitting process.
The SC Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation (GSSMF) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC), through its philanthropic arm, Power:Ed. This marks the third consecutive year SCSLC and Power:Ed have partnered with the GSSM Foundation to expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities for students across South Carolina. The funding provides $25,000 to support GSSM’s GoSciTech Summer Camps and $25,000 for academic-year STEM Days. Together, these initiatives deliver hands-on, inquiry-based STEM experiences to middle and high school students, with a dedicated focus on financial-need scholarships and reaching rural and underrepresented communities. GoSciTech Summer Camps offer rising sixth- through 10th-graders immersive experiences across diverse STEM fields, ranging from robotics, environmental engineering and biology to astrophysics and game design. Camps are delivered through day programs across all 16 South Carolina technical college campuses, a residential camp on GSSM’s Hartsville campus, and interactive virtual offerings.
Colony Bankcorp Inc., the holding company for Colony Bank, and First Reliance Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Florence-headquartered First Reliance Bank, jointly announced that all regulatory approvals have been obtained for the proposed consolidation in which First Reliance will join forces with and into Colony. The consummation of this partnership remains subject to the approval by Colony's shareholders and the approval by First Reliance's shareholders, along with the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The special meetings for both companies are scheduled to be held on Oct. 14, 2026. “Securing regulatory approvals marks a pivotal milestone in bringing Colony Bank and First Reliance Bank together. Our joint integration planning is on track and progressing smoothly, reflecting strong alignment across both management teams,” said Heath Fountain, Colony’s chief executive officer. “As we move toward our shareholder vote and our planned fourth-quarter close, we remain focused on executing a seamless transition that expands our capabilities while preserving the dedicated community banking service our customers expect.” Colony and First Reliance announced the signing of a definitive agreement on June 24, 2026, in which Colony agreed to acquire 100 percent of the common stock of First Reliance in a combined stock-and-cash transaction valued at approximately $163 million.
At its quarterly meeting in September, the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees approved the naming of two university facilities in honor of longtime board members. The Kenneth W. Jackson Lecture Hall, located in the Hugh and Jean Leatherman Medical Education Complex in downtown Florence, will be named for Trustee Ken Jackson (`84). Jackson has served on the FMU board since 1998. During his tenure, he has served as board chair, vice chair, and secretary. The George C. McIntyre Training and Fitness Center in the Smith University Center will be named for Trustee George McIntyre (`78). McIntyre has served on the FMU Board of Trustees since 1999, holding the positions of chair, vice chair, and parliamentarian.
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