Pee Dee Palmetto Pulse May

UniFirst No. 9 Chevy to Make 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season Debut at Darlington Raceway

(photo included)

UniFirst Corporation, a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety services, in collaboration with Hendrick Motorsports, debuted the No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet, driven by Chase Elliott, at Darlington (SC) Raceway on Sunday, March 22. This race marked the start of UniFirst's primary sponsorship schedule with the 2020 Cup Series champion for the 2026 season.

City of Florence Launches Multi-Year Initiative to Modernize Water and Sewer Utility Infrastructure
The City of Florence has announced the launch of a transformative, multimillion, multi-year initiative focused on enhancing water quality through significant upgrades to its drinking water and sanitary sewer collection systems. These plans will guide capital improvements that will be implemented over the next 20 years. Nearly $85 million is dedicated specifically to water quality improvements, including upgrades to the surface water plant, expanding capacity from 10 million to 15 million gallons per day. There will also be an upsizing to the Jeffries Creek sewer interceptor infrastructure.

JOB REPORT

Northeastern South Carolina Reports Over $426 Million in Capital Investment and Over 400 Jobs in 2025

Counties in South Carolina’s northeastern region reported more than $426 million in new industrial capital projects with over 400 jobs created based on public announcements. According to NESA, the region had over $426 million in new investment as well as the creation of more than 400 jobs in 2025. The regional unemployment rate was 6 percent as of December 2025. Employment in the NESA region as of December was over 340,000.

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WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE

ScribeAmerica Recognized as a Four-Time Handshake Early Talent Award Winner

HealthChannels announced that ScribeAmerica has once again been honored with the prestigious Handshake Early Talent Award (ETA). This latest recognition marks a notable milestone: ScribeAmerica is now a four-time consecutive winner, having secured the award every year since 2023. Handshake’s Early Talent Awards are designed to celebrate the top workplaces for Gen Z. In an increasingly competitive landscape, this award recognizes employers who demonstrate best-in-class engagement with early-career talent and provide the foundation for the next generation of health care leaders to launch their careers.

ALUMNI APPRECIATION

Coker University to Recognize Four Alumni with 2026 Alumni Awards

Coker University was set to honor four alumni whose careers and service reflect the lasting impact of the Coker community during Alumni Day on April 18. The University was to present the 2026 Alumni Awards to Jenn Bell, Lewis Sharp ’93, Sam J. Fryer III, and Donald E. Quist, Ph.D., recognizing their leadership and contributions in athletics, business, community service, and the arts.

Honda Overhauls Flagship Pioneer 1000 Platform for 2026

Honda celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship multipurpose side-by-side platform with a complete overhaul of the Pioneer 1000 lineup, highlighted by two all-new Deluxe trims. In addition, Honda is confirming the all-new Pioneer 1000 Elite. Scheduled to arrive at dealers in late 2026, the Elite is Honda's first side-by-side to come with a fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin and HVAC system, adding a new level of comfort and convenience to the Pioneer lineup. All three 2026 Pioneer 1000 versions are made in the USA — planned in Georgia, developed in Ohio, and produced in Timmonsville, South Carolina, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Pinnacle Creative Marketing Looks Local

Pinnacle Creative Marketing, in a intentional effort to bolster the Pee Dee business community, offered 20 percent off select services throughout April, giving Pee Dee businesses a strong opportunity to refresh marketing efforts for Q2. Pinnacle specializes in helping companies communicate more clearly through websites, digital ads, interactive brochures, sales tools, and training materials that actually get used. “We’re proud of the work we’ve been able to do for both our local community and larger partners,” said Hugh Garrett, Director of Digital Marketing. “Our goal has always been to create content that not only looks good, but actually works for the businesses using it.”

SPOTLIGHT

McLeod Health Recognized by Keep Florence Beautiful

(has photo with it)

A new Adopt-a-Street sign now stands at the corner of Cheves and Church Streets as part of McLeod Health’s partnership with Keep Florence Beautiful. The new sign marks the beginning of the McLeod Medical Mile. Through this program, McLeod Regional Medical Center team members and community volunteers work together to care for this stretch of the Medical Mile, promoting community pride, environmental stewardship, and a more beautiful Florence. Three clean-ups have already been completed, with a fourth and final clean-up planned for this spring.

Duke Energy Makes Donation to Building Bridges

On March 30, 2026, Mindy Higgs Taylor, director of government and community relations at Duke Energy, presented a check for $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce helping to support the Chamber’s ongoing Building Bridges Diversity and Leadership program. The mission of the Building Bridges project is to help enable the Greater Florence community to address diverse issues by the process of changing attitudes and hearts through education and situational awareness.

FMU Earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly School Designation

Francis Marion University been recognized as a Military Friendly School because of its work with military veterans, service members, and their dependents. Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 institutions participated in the Military Friendly survey, with only 878 earning the designation. The Military Friendly ratings program was started in 2003 as an advocacy vehicle that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community.

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Expands Local Access to Advanced Prostate Care

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is expanding access to advanced urologic care with the introduction of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), a highly effective, minimally invasive treatment for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. The procedure is performed by urologist Dr. Christopher Fukuda of Carolina Pines Medical Group Urology, bringing a leading-edge treatment option to patients in the region. “HoLEP is a gamechanger for men dealing with significant prostate enlargement,” said Fukuda. “The laser allows us to safely and precisely remove the obstructing prostate tissue, which can dramatically improve urinary symptoms and quality of life for our patients.”

SPOTLIGHT

Pee Dee Land Trust Hosts 20th Annual Oyster Roast

Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) held its annual Oyster Roast on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026, at Beneventum in Georgetown, South Carolina, hosted by Janet and Buddy Brand.  The sold-out event, attended by 650 supporters, gave guests the opportunity to stroll through the majestic oaks draped with Spanish moss and enjoy what PDLT officials described as some of the best hot oysters and Lowcountry fare to be found anywhere. From boat rides to hayrides and the sounds of live bluegrass, the 20th annual oyster roast was not only a time to raise funds to continue PDLT's work, but also a celebration of the partnership between the Brand family and PDLT to permanently protect Beneventum forever through a conservation easement.