Florence Agriculture -based company expands
Florence County Economic Development Partnership (FCEDP) is pleased to announce that another Florence County company is expanding and adding jobs. McCall Farms, Inc., located in Effingham, SC is a family owned farming, canning, and distribution company specializing in vegetables and fruit. With many known brands such as Margaret Holmes, Peanut Patch, Greer, Osage, and Lord Chesterfield along with many private labels, McCall Farms products are known around the country. The expansion of their operations will include a new $3.9 million vegetable freezing operation that will create up to 40 new full time positions.

McCall Farms, Inc., originally considered purchasing a competitor company located in Georgia to expand their operations with the frozen foods product line. A team of local officials, consisting of the Florence County Council, Senator Hugh Leatherman, FCEDP staff, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, Inc. and the South Carolina Department of Commerce worked diligently to assist the company with the expansion in Effingham.
The company decision was based on many factors, including the available labor pool, commitment to Florence County and South Carolina, and economics.  The project will also have a tremendous agricultural benefit as it will place between 3000 and 4000 acres of new produce into production in South Carolina, adding farm employment.

“We are so pleased that McCall Farms has decided to grow and expand in Florence County and add employees. This county has been home to McCall Farms for over 100 years and has been valued corporate citizen.  "We look forward to many more great years of Peanut Patch, Margaret Holmes, and other McCall Farms products being produced in the Pee Dee." stated Senator Hugh K. Leatherman. 

K.G. “Rusty” Smith, Chairman, Florence County Council said, “ I have grown up with McCall Farms products and to see the company grow and prosper is a true testament to the vision of the owners and associates. They have been able to creatively and effectively market and grow this company and now their products are sold across the country everyday.”

"Another fine business has chosen to expand and add employment in Florence County. It is truly exciting to watch a family owned business with deep roots to the area become a national leader in their respective field. Through hard work of a dedicated work force they have been able to steadily grow. We are so appreciative of McCall Farms commitment to the Pee Dee and Florence County. This project like the new company in Lake City, East Coast Erosion Blankets, will have tremendous indirect benefits to the agricultural economy of this region," stated Dr. Charles Gould, President of Florence Darlington Technical College and Chairman of the FCEDP.

Pee Dee Electric is proud and grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Florence County Economic Development Partnership and the USDA for the benefit of the local economy and McCall Farms. McCall Farms has been a hallmark of the Pee Dee economy for many, many years and our board and staff wish for the company every success in the future.” said Toy Nettles, President & CEO of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative.