Facilities & Services Workforce Development Economic Development Community Development Planning Public Administration Engineering Technical and Grant Services Computer Mapping Satellite Training Revolving Loan Fund Regional Development Corporation Workforce Development The Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments serves as the administrative entity and grant recipient to implement the goals of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Marlboro Counties. Working under the guidance of the Pee Dee Workforce Investment Board (WIB), staff establishes policies and guidelines to deliver workforce investment activities to individuals who need those services, including job seekers, dislocated workers, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, persons with disabilities, and employers. • Pee Dee Workforce Investment Board (WIB) The mission of the Pee Dee Workforce Investment Board is "to facilitate successful partnerships among businesses, educators, organizations and individuals to achieve a highly educated and skilled workforce resulting in a thriving community with full employment." • One-Stop Workforce Centers The Act requires that each local workforce investment area establish a One-Stop Delivery System of employment services to individuals and employers. The One Stop Workforce Centers ("One Stops") are the primary point of contact for customers seeking services. Job seekers are able to conduct their own job searches, complete resumes and skills assessments. Employers can utilize the One Stops for staffing, training and business support. The Pee Dee WIB "chartered" eight One Stop Workforce Centers to cover the six-county region: 1. Cheraw One Stop Workforce Center- James Hillian, Director; 318 Front Street Cheraw, SC, 29520; ph. 843-320-9760; fax 843-320-9770. 2. Chesterfield One Stop Workforce Center- Doris Ann Breeden, Director; 202 Page St., Chesterfield, SC 29709; ph. 843-623-5260; fax 843-623-5272. 3. Darlington County One Stop Workforce Center- Susan Stuckey, Director; 904 S. 4th St., Hartsville, SC 29550; ph. 843-857-0700; fax 843-857-9110. 4. Dillon County One Stop Workforce Center- Nancy Finklea, Director; 410 W. Main St., Dillon, SC 29536; ph. 843-774-1420; fax 843-774-1411. 5. Florence One Stop Workforce Center- Connie Ford, Director; 1558 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501; ph. 669-4271; fax 843-679-3955. 6. Lake City One Stop Workforce Center- Dianne Oliver, Director; 209 Graham Rd., Lake City, SC 29560; ph. 843-374-0970; fax 843-374-0232. 7. Marion County One Stop Workforce Center- Elaine Barkley; 1305 N. Main Street, Marion, SC 29571; ph. 843-423-8288; fax 843-423-8290. 8. Marlboro County One Stop Workforce Center- Doris Ann Breeden; 460 Hwy 9 West, Bennettsville, SC 29512; ph. 843-479-4081; fax 843-479-9811. The WIB has also established four One Stop Computer Resource Rooms to supplement the eight One Stops: 1. Darlington City Office- 400 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532; ph. 843-319-4509. 2. SC Employment Security Commission- 1317 S. Fourth Street, Hartsville, SC 29550; ph. 843-332-1554. 3. R.N. Beck Learning Center- 1001 W. Sumter Street, Florence, SC 29501; ph. 843-673-5793. 4. SC Employment Security Commission- 2413 E. Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571; ph. 423-6900. • WorkKeys The Pee Dee WIB is pleased to offer the WorkKeys Employment System, developed by ACT, Inc., to area employers and job seekers. In order to determine the skills and levels of skills required to be successful in various jobs in their business/industry, employers can hire a One Stop certified profiler to conduct a profile of the job. Current and potential employees can be assessed to determine if they have the skills to accomplish the job. The One Stops have pools of individuals who have been assessed and are looking for employment. Employers can select from this pool to fill open positions. • Incumbent Workers Training Program (IWT) The purpose of IWT is to provide resources for employers to train currently employed workers in an effort to keep the businesses competitive. The program is designed to meet changed skill requirements caused by new technology, retooling, new product lines and organizational restructuring. Employers can apply for IWT funding on an annual basis. To learn more about WorkKeys and Incumbent Workers Training services call Kim Gardner, Business/Industry Liaison, at 843-669-4271 or 843-319-7727. For more information on Workforce Development programs and services, including success stories, WIB Board membership and other details, visit the Pee Dee Workforce Investment website at www.peedeewib.org or contact: Vickie Tyner v-tyner@peedeecog.org or Joette Dukes j-dukes@peedeecog.org. Back to Top Economic Development At its inception, one of the original functions of the COG was economic development planning and technical assistance. The staff monitors economic conditions of the region, conducts occasional specialized studies and coordinates programs of the Economic Development Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce). • Infrastructure Projects A primary economic development activity at the COG is the identification and development of infrastructure projects that are eligible for funding assistance through the Economic Development Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce). These public works grants and related activities include nearly 100 projects and $50 million in EDA funding to the region in the last 35 years. The COG has also assisted with related funding applications to other agencies for these infrastructure improvements. Typical projects funded by EDA are water and sewer improvements, railroad improvements and expansions of technical colleges. • Economic Planning & Technical Assistance In addition to project-specific activities, overall economic planning activities include: • Providing economic data to local governments, business, industry and organizations on a continuing basis; • Preparing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region on a periodic basis; and, • Preparation of master plans for public industrial parks in the region; • Assisting communities with strategic planning (including assistance with federal Enterprise and Empowerment Zone applications); • On a periodic basis, undertaking specialized studies or surveys, including cost of living surveys of urban counties, the Florence Civic Center Feasibility Study, an Infrastructure Assessment of the I-95 Corridor and others. For more information on Economic Development Programs, contact Phil Goff, Assistant Director. pcgoff@peedeecog.org Back to Top
			Community Development The Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments assists in developing and managing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects and programs in the six counties. This includes full management of specific projects when called upon by the local government, as well as providing general advisory assistance to local governments in terms of funding availability, project eligibility, project development and other project aspects. CDBG projects are designed to assist low-to-moderate (LMI) persons and families. Typically, CDBG projects address neighborhood needs and community facilities, as well as projects that boost the local economy by creating jobs. Pee Dee COG has been involved in developing projects for: • Water and/or Sewer Service • Economic Development • Drainage Improvements • Housing Rehabilitation & Affordable Rental Apartment Reuse • Roadway Improvements • Competitive Communities (public facility & service activities) • Downtown Revitalization • Local Planning Studies For more information on Community Development Programs, contact Shannon Munoz, Community Development Director. smunoz@sc.rr.com Back to Top
			Planning The Pee Dee Regional COG staff assists counties, municipalities and several State agencies in a variety of short- and long-term planning efforts with a focus on: • Community Planning The staff prepares comprehensive plans and related zoning ordinances and development standards for counties and municipalities, as requested. In addition, it also provides professional advice on zoning cases and related matters when requested by local governments. The COG also assists with downtown redevelopment and other specialized planning issues. • Regional Planning From time to time, the COG staff undertakes regional planning for infrastructure needs, including water and sewer and transportation requirements. • Transportation Planning and Coordination Pee Dee Regional COG assists the South Carolina Department of Transportation in the long-range planning of transportation improvements in the region, particularly highway needs. The COG has assisted SCDOT in preparing a State Transportation Improvements Plan and makes recommendations to SCDOT regarding priorities for highway improvements in six counties (all areas except the Florence urban area, which has its own planning process and transportation improvement funds). In 1998, the COG recommended a list of roadways to be constructed using statewide bonds. Those projects are well under construction. • Census Data and Planning Pee Dee Regional COG cooperates with and assists the U.S. Census Bureau in redrawing Census boundaries in advance of the 10-year Census. The COG also serves as an Affiliate Data Center for the Census, maintaining and making available a wide variety of Census information and maps to governments and organizations. For more information on community planning programs, contact Levonne Powell, Senior Planner. lpowell@peedeecog.org Back to Top Public Administration Pee Dee Regional COG provides roving municipal administrator services to several communities and assists other communities with a broad range of management issues, miscellaneous ordinances and technical assistance. Currently, the staff provides part-time town administrator services for the Towns of Jefferson and Pamplico. The COG also has provided E911 street naming and numbering technical advice and mapping services to four of the region’s six counties. For more information on Public Administration Services, contact Glenn Lane, Public Administration Specialist. gclane@peedeecog.org Back to Top
			Engineering 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 on: • roadway design and "C" Fund paving projects; • drainage design and advice/calculations; • construction administration and inspection services; • surveying assistance. For more information on engineering services, please contact Sandy Watford, P.E. swatford@peedeecog.org. Back to Top Other Technical and Grant Services Pee Dee Regional COG assists local governments with other specialized needs, including: • assisting with the design of recreational facilities; • assisting in design of public buildings (town halls, health centers, community centers, etc.); • assisting with applications for PARD, ISTEA, criminal justice and other grant programs when called upon by local governments; • undertaking special regional projects and plans, such as local Hazard Mitigation planning, E-911 addresses and others. Pee Dee Regional COG also assists local governments with other specialized needs, such as: • designing recreational facilities • designing public buildings (town halls, health centers, community centers, etc.) • preparing applications for PARD, ISTEA, criminal justice and other grant programs • undertaking special regional projects and plans, such as local Hazard Mitigation planning, E-911 addresses and others. Back to Top
			Computer Mapping Pee Dee Regional COG operates both an ACAD and GIS-based computer mapping and design system that supports planning, community development and engineering services provided by the Council. The COG operates an AutoCAD computer drafting system in support of engineering and planning programs, including the production of detailed engineering drawings, planning and zoning maps, and community maps for chambers of commerce and local governments. Pee Dee Regional COG also operates a Geographic Information System (GIS) including current economic analysis programs of the SC Department of Commerce (INSITE). The GIS system maintains computer files of water and sewer systems in the region, industry locations, industrial sites and other economic-related data useful in industrial and business development and economic planning. Most of these data files were developed through a cooperative effort of the COG and the SC Department of Commerce. The COG also utilizes GPS satellite technology in geo-locating structures, services and facilities. Back to Top Satellite Training Pee Dee Regional COG maintains a satellite hook-up with the SC Educational Television Network and facilitates training for local officials on an as-needed basis. Over two dozen satellite training sessions have been held over the past five years, including courses offered by the Municipal Association of South Carolina for newly-elected officials, Census 2000 orientation sessions for local governments as well as specialized planning workshops. Back to Top Revolving Loan Fund Pee Dee Regional COG operates a $1 million Revolving Loan Fund for small businesses, using state and Federal funding. Loans of up to $175,000 are made to small businesses that create jobs. Loans are below market rate and are intended to supplement what private lenders can contribute to a project. Loans have been made to 22 businesses and industries. Learn how the loan fund can help your business by speaking to the staff or reviewing guidelines on this website: • Loan Program Guidelines • Loan Application Kit Or contact the staff: gclane@peedeecog.org pcgoff@peedeecog.org Back to Top Regional Development Corporation Pee Dee Regional COG utilizes its own non-profit development corporation to assist in a variety of projects, including: • constructing single-family housing projects; • purchasing and transferring property to industry; • construction of industrial and speculative buildings; • construction and leasing of industrial buildings; • similar purposes that enhance the regional economy or serve a local need. Back to Top