Site Selection Magazine Ranks Florence, South Carolina 5th for 2008 ranking of top metropolitan areas, for new and expanding facilities in the United States.

Florence, SC 5th place ranking is for communities in the United States with a population of 50,000 – 200,000.

There were eight announced projects expected to create 1,500 new jobs and bring $161 million in new capital investment.

H.J. Heinz Co is building their first new facility in 30 years to produce “Boston Market” and other frozen meal entrees.

Monster.com, a customer care facility.

Dunline Rubber Products, endless preshrinking rubber belts.

Wellman Plastics Recycling – engineering resins/plastics.

Expansions announced in 2008 were:
McCall Farms – canned and frozen foods.

International Knife and Saw – knife and saw blades.

Assurant Specialty Property – insurance processing center.

GE Healthcare – MRI machinery

With established, well known employers such as Honda, and Roche Pharmaceutical, IREX Pharmaceuticals, Johnson Controls, two State of the art health care facilities (McLeod Hospital and Carolinas Hospital), Darlington Motor Speedway, and many others as important but too numerous to name, Florence, SC is first class city to grow and locate in.