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Mr. Tim Harper – Marion County Administrator
Mrs. Elista Smith – Vice Chair County Council
Mrs. Ogleretta White – Grants Writer/ Public Relations Administrator
“Igniting Marion’s Power: Attaining Countywide
Transformation!”
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Started at the South Carolina Rural Summit held at the Municipal
Center, Aiken, SC on March 4, 2013
Sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Commerce Small
Business and Rural Development
Closing Speaker was Tan Kirby Davis, President, The Kirby Resource
Group
Her Topic: “The Evolving Leader: Understanding the Impact of Diversity
and Inclusion”
Gained City Council approval to contract with Ms. White to serve as
Marion County’s Diversity and Inclusion Consultant and Strategic
Partner
Background
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Background
Leadership & Governance Provide visible and consistent leadership in setting direction,
establishing high expectations,
charting a clear course, and holding
stakeholders accountable for their
contributions towards the D&I
strategic plan.
Advocacy & Outreach Develop a comprehensive outreach
campaign that promotes the value and
benefits of Diversity and Inclusion, and
increases understanding, trust and
buy-in.
Education & Training Support needs-based education and
training programs that helps Marion
County achieve its’ Mission, Vision,
and Diversity and Inclusion strategic
goals.
Collaboration & Alignment Collaborate with key county
organizations, groups, and
departments to ensure that the
Diversity and Inclusion strategic plan
is aligned and compatible with existing
and future plans/programs.
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Marion County was awarded grant funding from USDA to assist
emerging and existing small businesses develop and expand.
The overall goal was to establish the Marion County Small Business
Center.
Marion County contracted with a consulting firm and tasked them
with managing the clientele and assisting the County in:
Developing operational policies and procedures.
Conducting a participants assessment of the services and what
additionally was needed to advance their businesses.
The issues identified in the assessment were:
1) More face time with a business assistance provider or service provider
2) Funding for specialized services such as attorney fees and accountant
fees
3) An easily navigable system for resources, training and workshops.
Shift Begins
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USDA placed a hold on grant
award and application
acceptance
Dilemma
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The County contacted the Florence Area Small
Business Development Center for assistance.
Met with a representative from the SCWorks
System about the dilemma of advancing the
emerging and existing small businesses.
Add more agencies that provide inter-related
services to small business and training for the
workforce.
Include Local and State elected officials
Include faith-based organizations
Solutions
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IMPACT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Lucas Atkinson- S C Works Pee Dee
Beth Bristow- Mullins Chamber of Commerce
Russell Ford – Army Veteran
Rev. Stan Gibson – Marion Baptist Church
Dianne Herrington- S C Works Pee Dee
Deborah S. Martin – Marion County DSS
Elista Smith- Marion County Councilperson
Ogleretta White- Marion County Grants and Public Relations
Administrator
Dr. Kandace R. Bethea- Assistant Superintendent of Marion County
Education System
Terry Davis - Mullins City Councilperson
Kim Gardner - Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments
Ronnie Green – Technology Professional Door of Hope Christian
Church
Barbara Hopkins- Mayor of Sellers
Dr. Julie Norman – Executive Director Marion County Economic
Development
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IMPACT COMMITTEE MEMBERS CONT. Jamie Thomas- Coker College Student Services Coordinator Marion
Senator Kent Williams
Bishop Michael Blue – Pastor of the Door of Hope Christian Church
Joette Dukes - Pee Dee Workforce Investment Board
Representative Wayne George
Rev. Marvin Hemingway – Army Veteran and CEO of Marion
Empowerment Outreach Organization
Mamie Legette – Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments
Dr. Willena Rembert – Independent Consultant, Grant Writer,
Project Manager, Social Media Sales and Marketing
Professional
Eddie Watson – Small Business Development Center
Vickie Nichols – Grants Writer/Public Relations, City of
Mullins
Lawson Battle – Mayor of Nichols
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First Event
Career Fair
and Small
Business Expo
1000+ in Attendance
50+ Exhibitors
75+ Volunteers
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Green Fence Recycling
First Citizens Bank
MCHF
Carolina Bank
Anderson Bro Bank
Big John's Bar-B-Que
Crown of Glory Beauty Salon
Professional Tax Svcs
Carolyn Wallace Resume
writing
Coker College
FDTC
ACCUSTAFF
Evoke Choice Resume
Writing
Wilson Senior Care
Robert Corley Law Firm
The George Agency Ins
Marion Police Department
AWS
Marion Fire Department
S C Works
Aqua City
Marion County Youth Day
Perdue Farms
Benedict College
Virginia College
Olsten
GoodWill
McDonald's
Tender Care
Legal Shield
Tommy Richardson Boats
Primerica – Columbia, SC
Olsten
ACT
Exhibitors/Presenters/Sponsors
Accent Signs and Printing
PEE DEE Federal
LDH Sports and More, LLC
Peterkin Rehab Center
SoPak Co
Crawford's Home Healthcare
Services
Marion County Adult
Education
Mullins Police Department
Francis Marion University
Chyrel Legette
Mullins Fire Department
Marion County School District
Duke Energy
Virginia College
Kelly's Educational Staffing
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SHIFTING THE COUNTY’S CULTURE
THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATION
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Second Event
The Next Level:
“ Professional
Excellence”
20+ Instructors
75+ Volunteers
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Seminar Topics Instructor Developing as a Professional Elizabeth Jones
SC Works Seminar 1
IT for Small Business Robby Hill
The owner of HillSouth, an innovative IT consulting firm
SC Works Lab Notorious Jones
"Getting prepared for College life" Kelvin Gary
Legal Matters II Clearing the RECORD (Expungement and
Pardon)
Solicitor Ed Clement
SC Vocational Rehabilitation Services Mitchell Rouse
Developing a Business Plan Eddie Watson
Upgrading A Business Plan Michael Bell
WIB Youth/Parents Empowerment Cheryl Lewis
Sissy Meredith
Workforce Development Seminar (Adult Ed., WorkKeys, Free
Training:
Candyce Brooks & Jim Hill
Session A: Marketing Dr. Susan Peters
Session B: Small Business Employment Dr. Susan Peters
Personal Finance Seminar Bishop Marcus Benjamin
Pee Dee Agriporium Seminar Dr. Julie Norman
Marion County Executive Director of Economic Development
"LinkedIn: Using Social Media as a Career Tool"? Coker College Communication Honor Society
Pastors Empowerment Rev. Stan Gibson
Upgrading Professional Skills Curtishia Campbell- Phillips
SC Works Seminar 2:
Legal Matters I:
Driver’s License Recovery
SC Thrive Seminar Stephanie McGuire
"You are never too old to earn a College Degree." Tina Dupree
SC Works Lab Seminar April Gaskins
Interviewing and Application Lou Washington
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IMPACTING OUR STATE WITH POSITIVE
CAREER AND ECONOMIC PLANNING
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2015-2016 YEAR PLAN • October 17, 2015 Fundraiser for Pee Dee Regional Transportation
Authority
• Youth Career Festivals- Impact will partner with local 2-4 year
colleges and universities and the Marion County School District to
provide career resources for youth grades 3-5. This will be offered
during the scheduled PTO meetings (emphasis on critical areas in
skills/professions).
• Partner with organizations, faith-base and local and state government
agencies/ officials to establish fundraising structure to support youth
activities in the school and provide scholarships for each high school.
• Marion County will continue to search for Funding for specialized
services such as attorney fees and accountant fees. Hire a staff to
coordinate services on behalf of small business, the partners in areas
such as DSS, SCWorks, School Districts and the Community at large.
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SUMMARY Marion County is accepting the leadership role to
be a model in changing our state with Positive
Career and Economic Growth.
We are capitalizing on resources and assisting
our clientele in achieving their goals, however,
we believe that efficiency could increase. By
concentrating on emerging and existing small
businesses and making deliberate attempts to
plan and align funding to achieve goals, we can
advance our County and tout, Marion County is
small business friendly.