February 20, 2026

Pee Dee Pathways Career Expo Draws Capacity Crowd

In collaboration with Debbie Jones, Regional Workforce Advisor for the SC Department of Employment and Workforce and a variety of community partners, employers, and school districts from the Pee Dee Region and beyond, Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments' Workforce Development Department supported an event to expose 8th graders to career opportunities in our Region. More than 2,000 eighth-grade students from schools around the Region attended the Pee Dee Pathways event on Thursday, January 29 at the Southeastern Institute for Manufacturing Technology!

About 60 area businesses set up booths in the conference center and main lobby of Florence-Darlington Technical College’s SIMT building. Many of the stalls featured hands-on exhibits and demonstrations of on-the-job activities.

Ms. Jones, the Pee Dee Pathways de facto organizer, said in an interview that the event is “a collaboration between education, industry and community partners to help students connect what they're learning in school to real-world careers,” adding that it’s the first event of its kind hosted in and for the Region. She shared how local planning organization Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments organized a sector strategy team for the Region and one of the things that again surfaced as a need was to do a business and industry showcase for eighth-grade students.

Businesses represented such fields as manufacturing, healthcare, STEM, education, agriculture, finance, first responders, government and hospitality. These included some of the largest employers in the Pee Dee: American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Nucor Corp., Schaeffler Group USA Inc., Sonoco Products Co., McLeod Health, MUSC Health, and Duke Energy Corp., as well as Florence County, the City of Florence, Florence-Darlington Technical College, GE Healthcare, Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Smurfit Westrock. Even representatives from local sports teams - the Florence Flamingos and Pee Dee Icecats - participated. Each business was asked to bring an interactive activity to engage the students.

One of McLeod’s exhibits featured high-fidelity mannequins that simulated respiratory airway training and personal protective equipment for clinicians in the work area. Duke Energy's exhibit was designed to demonstrate how a lineman would use a pole to replace the fuse link on an overhead circuit. GE Healthcare, which manufactures MRI machines at its Florence plant, demonstrated MRI equipment at its booth, while representatives from the FBI simulated a crime-scene investigation at theirs.

The project is intended to be more than a one-day event. It’s part of a larger effort to strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline across our region. The goal is to help students see their future right here at home, in local industries that are growing and hiring.

To access a video highlight the event, click here.

SC Works System Coordinator Announces Retirement

Mamie Legette, a member of Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments Workforce Development Department and who has served as the SC Works System Coordinator for the Pee Dee Region has announced her decision to retire, effective February 28, 2026.

Mamie has been employed with Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments for 14 years. Prior to her tenure with Pee Dee COG, she worked for Dillon County's workforce programs for 15 years, for a total of 29 incredible years in workforce development! Throughout this time, Mamie has embodied what it truly means to live a life of service above self. Her work was never just a job—it was a calling.



Mamie set the standard for exceptional customer service. Whether working with partners, employers, or community members, she treated everyone with respect, patience, and genuine care. People didn’t just feel helped—they felt heard.

Her commitment to community engagement strengthened the Pee Dee region in ways that will be felt for years to come. She understood that real workforce development is about people, relationships, and opportunity—and she showed up consistently to make all three better.



Mamie was truly the owner of the process. From the first conversation to the final outcome, she took responsibility, followed through, and ensured every project was completed with excellence. She didn’t leave things half-done—she saw every effort all the way to the end, and she did so with care, integrity, and pride.

Her legacy is in the countless lives she touched and the example she set for all of us. We will never forget her amazing, sincere laugh or her amazing bear hugs!

Mamie, thank you for your dedication, your leadership, and your heart for service. Your impact will continue long after you've left us. We wish you joy, rest, and fulfillment in this next chapter—you have truly earned it.

Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for everything.

A video tribute, containing farewell messages to Mamie from those she's worked with over the years, can be accessed here.

Pee Dee COG Joins Its Partners in Celebrating the Region's Successes

Florence County Progress hosted its annual meeting on January 28. The event was a packed house and brought together private sector members and industry leaders who make economic development happen in Florence County. Among the attendees were Bridgette Coates, Lindsay Privette, and Joette Dukes representing Pee Dee COG. The full room speaks volumes about the commitment, leadership, and belief driving our community forward.

The featured speaker for the event, Derieth L. Sutton, CEcD, HLM, EDFP of Niagara Bottling, shared insights on leadership, growth, and what it takes to compete. In addition, Florence County Economic Development released its annual report, which highlighted the following progress in 2025:

• 4.8% Unemployment Rate
• Gross Domestic Product: $7.41 Billion
• 2.7% increase in nonfarm employment
• $2+ Billion in new capital investment in the last 4 years

Florence County is also celebrating its rise from a Tier II to a Tier I County for the first time in 15 years. Reaching Tier I status signals that Florence County is now recognized among the State's most developed and forward-moving communities, creating a strong foundation for continued opportunity an success in the years ahead.

To learn more about Florence County Progress, visit them online at FCEDP.com.

On February 5, 2026, the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) hosted its annual meeting. Joette Dukes and Lindsay Privette represented Pee Dee COG at this event. Jeff McKay, Executive Director for NESA, provided an annual report overview, which included the following highlights.

The Region, which includes Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties, had over $426 million in new investment as well as the creation of over 400 jobs in 2025.

The regional unemployment rate was 6% as of December 2025. Employment in the NESA region as of December was over 340,000.

Regionally, there were 13 announcements: seven were existing industry expansions and six were new locations.

The full annual report can be accessed here. In addition, the county economic developers for the 9-county NESA Region provided reports of their successes and future plans. Each county in the 6-County Pee Dee Region had great news to share about new investments and/or expansions in their respective counties. Dillon County also reported that Inland Port Dillon had the largest volume on record in 2025!

Joey Von Nessen, Research Economist from the Darla Moore School of Business, provided a 2026 economic forecast. In short, the bottom line is

• Despite a mild slowdown over the past year, South Carolina’s economy remains healthy in early 2026. Most industries have continued to see positive growth, the labor market is stable, and South Carolina continues to benefit from strong population growth.

• Nevertheless, we are seeing a bifurcated economy in which the services sector has been the primary driver of growth. The goods sector has slowed due to the uncertainty of ongoing trade negotiations and cost increases from tariffs

• While the U.S. labor market is currently stable (low unemployment and low layoff activity), job growth has slowed in recent months, making it likely that the Federal Reserve will pursue additional interest rate cuts in 2026. 

To access the Dr. Von Nessen's full presentation, click here. For information regarding NESA, visit https://www.nesasc.org/.

Pee Dee COG appreciates the opportunity to celebrate the successes of our partners. Team Pee Dee is doing great things and has so much to be proud of!

Transportation Highlight for the Pee Dee Region

SCDOT recently completed a series of roadway improvements along US 1 in Chesterfield County. The project features three new bridges, enhanced safety features, and a design that safeguards both drivers and the surrounding forest.

Located between the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Hills State Forest, the project required close coordination with environmental partners to minimize impacts. To protect the habitat of an endangered woodpecker that calls the forest home, crews used staged construction methods to reduce the footprint and limit tree removal.

In addition to new bridge structures, the project delivered wider shoulders, updated guardrails, rumble strips, and fresh pavement markings to improve safety for drivers traveling through the corridor.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

RIA Grant Deadline for Spring 2026

The deadline to apply for SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) Basic and Economic Infrastructure grants is March 23, 2026. If you would like to partner with Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments to submit an application, please contact Lindsay Privette at lprivette@peedeecog.org or (843)702-3134. For additional information regarding RIA funds, click here.

CDBG Spring 2026 Funding Round

The deadlines for the Spring 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications have been officially announced! Application Requests are due March 20, 2026 and the full applications are due April 20, 2026.

Our team has already begun working on spring applications as the upcoming round will be for community infrastructure projects, which require significantly more time and effort than the fall community enrichment grants. We want to be sure that we have enough time to complete everything for submission and to ensure that we put our best foot forward in the application process. If you have any questions regarding the CDBG program or the application process, please contact Kim Ethridge at kethridge@peedeecog.org or (843) 702-3139.

Pee Dee COG is Now Hiring

With the acceptance of Mamie Legette's departure from our team, the Workforce Development Department has plans to reorganize and is seeking a team member who will provide administrative and compliance support for the Pee Dee Workforce Development Area. The new team member will assume a portion of Mamie's present administrative responsibilities, along with other administrative and compliance responsibilities for our workforce development programs. Additional information and the full job description can be accessed at https://peedeecog.org/about_us/employment_opportunities.php.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

SC Housing's 2026 South Carolina Affordable Housing Summit is set for April 15-16, bringing together leaders, innovators, and advocates from across the state to tackle the challenges and opportunities shaping South Carolina’s housing landscape.

The 2026 version of the summit will feature keynote speakers, exhibitors, awards, and pertinent breakout sessions

The Summit will once again serve as the premier statewide gathering for sharing knowledge, celebrating progress, and building partnerships to expand affordable housing opportunities for all South Carolinians.

Early bird registration is open. To register and/or obtain additional information about the summit click here.

The SC National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) is hosting the SC Resilience Conference on April 19-22, 2026 at the Florence Center. This unique conference unites the dynamic sectors of health and wellness, conservation, and community and economic sustainability. This gathering assembles leaders, innovators, and advocates from diverse fields under one roof to delve into pressing issues, share insights, and forge collaborative pathways toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

Early bird registration for the conference has opened. You are invited to save the date and to visit https://www.scresilienceconference.com/ for additional information.

The SC Community Development Association (SCCDA) will host its 2026 Annual Meeting on May 6-8, 2026 at the Hyatt Place in downtown Florence. 

As a an affiliate group of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, the SC Community Development Association (SCCDA) provides a forum for learning about the community development process. Its members include municipal, county, regional and state community development professionals; employees of private companies with an interest in community development; elected officials and volunteers.

Registration for the conference will open at a later date. We hope you will plan to attend and join us in extending a warm Pee Dee welcome to our community development professionals from across our State.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Pee Dee COG Is At Your Service

Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments has a long-standing tradition of successfully pursuing and administering grants for the benefit of our localities and we take pride in performing those duties with excellence. However, we can assist you with other needs you might have also.

Our team remains actively engaged in supporting the Pee Dee Region's workforce, economic, and community development priorities.

We invite you to take advantage of the many services we can offer. For a menu of services that can be delivered by our planning, economic, and community development department, click here.

Pee Dee COG also oversees the public workforce system for the Region. In addition to services delivered to jobseekers, the SC Works System delivers services to employers. Units of government are considered employers and can access most of the services available to private businesses. A menu of employer services can be accessed here.

With an in-house Professional Engineer and engineering technician, the Pee Dee Regional COG provides a broad range of engineering support services to local governments, including engineering design, construction observation and/or general technical advice. For additional information regarding our engineering services, click here .

Upcoming Meetings/Holidays

County Administrators' Meeting

February 24, 2026

10:30 a.m.

Pee Dee COG Board of Directors' Meeting

March 9, 2026

6:00 p.m.



Municipal Elected Officials Training

March 17, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The full 2026 meeting schedule for Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments' Board and Executive Committee can be accessed here.

All meetings will be held at the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments' Administrative Building Conference Room unless otherwise indicated.

Our Mission

The mission of the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments is to assist local governments and organizations in a wide variety of planning, economic development, workforce investment and other technical services that will help meet the human and physical development needs of the region.

In support of our mission, we employ a dedicated team of professionals. To learn more about our organization and/or to access our staff directory, visit www.peedeecog.org.