Congratulations PDRTA!

Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority has received two SCDOT awards from the Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC) conference. PDRTA was acknowleded as being the best Urban Transit provider of the year and Amy Ragin was given kudos for best driver of the year. Amy was commended for her assistance with a customer that was having a heart attack.

PDRTA's increased ridership has resulted in new routes that serve the outer areas of Florence. They have also increased the number of daily trips to Lake City and Myrtle Beach. PDRTA has developed partnerships with Northeastern Technical College, Francis Marion University, the US Census Bureau, the United Motorcoach Association and City/County governments providing great benefits to their service area.

We are fortunate to have a group that wants to serve the community in the best capacity available. PDRTA continues to pursue the need for bus shelters and bus stop areas at subdivisions and affordable housing projects.

Way to go PDRTA!

New FLATSPress available

The Florence Area Transportation Study has released the February 2010 newsletter.

See the newsletter here:

From Newletters

This issue includes articles about air quality, the 2035 transportation plan, enhancement grants and the comprehensive plan.

Please send us your feedback and offer new topics for us to address in the next issue.

Aging Boomers Flock to the Southeast

When considering retirement, Baby Boomers have a different opinion than previous generations. It seems that Florida is no longer the first choice for those looking forward to their golden years. The preferred destinations are North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The 2010 Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey revealed the following information:

• 42% of today's 50-year-olds plan to move during retirement.


• 20% preferred South Carolina while 16% chose North Carolina and Florida receives 15% of the vote.


• 72% of the younger Baby Boomers feel the need to continue employment after retirement while 14% believe the possibility of never retiring may be inevitable.

The economic recession has changed the retirement plans for many over the age of 55. Savings that would have been used for retirement are no longer there. Downsizing will be necessary but pedestrian friendly communities, trails and public transportation will be high on the priority list when considering retirement destinations. Sprawling subdivisions will give way to a community that supports the urban style of living.

It is certain that the future relocation of Boomers to these areas permits the opportunity to ensure Smart Growth!

Transportation Plan Forging Ahead!

The last two weeks have been non-stop transportation planning for the Florence County Planning Services staff. The Florence Area Transportation Study (FLATS) Long Range Transortation Plan (LRTP) is coming along nicely thanks to Florence County resident's interest and input. The LRTP serves as a guide for overall transportation improvements in the Florence area. Safety and mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and highway users is so important.


The Transportation Advisory Committee (TPAC) met in the afternoon of February 18th to review the recent updates to the plan. These updates were presented by Kimley-Horn and Associates, the consultants on the plan development. In the evening of the 18th, we had the opportunity to speak with Florence residents at the 2nd public workshop to review the same updates. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and then vote on preferred projects from several lists of recommendations.


During the first public workshop a few months back, your major concerns were about the need for more provisional bicycle and greenway space and the need to clean up what we already have in Florence County. You gave us great ideas on problem areas to look at and study.


If you have not been able to attend one of the first two public workshops, you'll have another chance soon, so keep your eyes and ears open for the next public notice. Better yet, comment on this blog and give me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the FLATS Contact List and you'll receive all updates on what's going on in the FLATS area.


In the meantime, take a look at the completed chapters for the LRTP on the transportation website and give us your opinion and feedback.

Hybrid Rebates Anyone?

The $500 hybrid rebate offer continues until 06/30/10. This rebate was approved for a second year by County Council to encourage "greener choices". Florence County continues to lead the way in improving our air quality and with your help we can make it happen!

Last fiscal year we issued eight rebates to Florence County residents. Six residents were from Florence, one from Scranton and one from Olanta. They were the proud owners of the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, or the GMC Yukon. These are only a few of the hybrids that qualify for the rebate.

Our first recipient this year is Peggy Brown from Florence. Ms. Brown purchased a Toyota Prius and states that she "LOVES" her car.

If you are in need of a vehicle, we hope that you will consider a new hybrid. The fuel reduction creates significant savings that you will realize over a period of time. This in addition to the reduction of harmful emissions makes the hybrid purchase a wise choice for anyone.

Please visit http://www.florenceco.org/ for more information and the application. A $500 rebate may be awaiting you!

Census 2010 Road Tour Comes to Florence

Look for a census vehicle on February 3rd at the intersection of Baroody and Irby Streets. The 2010 Census vehicles are about to invade cities across the U.S. in a national campaign effort to promote communication. The objectives of this Portrait of America Road Tour are:

• Emphasize how safe and easy it is to complete the questionnaire;


• Communicate when the form will arrive in households;


• Show an example of the form and envelope;


• Educate the public about the uses of census data;


• Communicate that personal information completed on the form is secure by law;


• Emphasize that immigration status is not asked on the form.

There will be hands-on experience with promotional giveaways and exihibits that will be inviting while educating the diverse audience. The Road Tour is designed in a way that connects to the public and explains what the census is and why it is important for all of us to participate.

Please take this opportunity to support Florence County in this educational experience that will benefit us for years to come.

A Community Foundation for the Pee Dee Area

Until a few weeks ago, I was not aware of the many benefits available to an area through a community foundation or that nearly all of South Carolina is served by them. The Eastern Carolina Community Foundation serves our Pee Dee area and is located here in Florence at 234 West Cheves Street. This foundation was formally announced in November of 2007 to serve Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties.

If you're as unfamiliar as I was with what a community foundation is and what they can do for a community, let me fill you in. They are tax-exempt public charities created by and for the people in a local area to help improve the quality of life. Their four main roles are:

• act as grantmakers to any non-profit in the region;
• community conveners and partners to bring together government, business, and individuals to address local issues and needs;
• consolidators of existing small foundations; and
• philanthropic advisors and partners to match donor interests with community needs.

In January of 2008, the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation was chosen as the recipient of the first Liberty Prize from the Liberty Fellowship, a statewide leadership program that seeks to inspire value-based leadership among young South Carolina leaders. This vote validates the importance of the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation not just to our area, but to the state as a whole. Impressive!

Were you able to attend the dedication of the City of Florence Trails System and Family Fitness Day? For those who missed it, it was held on National Trails Day, June 7, 2008. The dedication recognized the growth of the Florence trails system from two miles to 18 miles, stretching from the new Veterans Park behind the Civic Center to Freedom Florence. It was a great day!

Ok, so you missed the 2008 event. You want another chance to join the fun? The Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, along with local volunteers, have just started brainstorming ideas to host a 2010 Florence Trails Event. I'll keep you posted on when and where. More volunteers to help coordinate the event are welcome. If you're interested, get in touch with David Wach, Event Chairman, and he'll add you to his e-mail distribution list. Contact him at (843) 629-4850, (843) 229-9000 or david.wach@roche.com.

I've only touched on the surface about this foundation, so check out their website for the whole picture. Susan Bankson, Executive Director, would welcome hearing from you. She can be reached at (843) 667-1131 or susan@easterncarolinacf.org.