Buying a new home is a big deal. For many homeowners, it's one of the most important decisions they ever make. When it comes to such a substantial choice, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
Getting the answers to those questions can be hard but finding a trustworthy manufactured home company can be even more challenging. Sure, you could settle for a fly-by-night company or a shady mobile home dealer. But if you're like most folks, you want to work with a reliable company that has been in business for years. You need a team of professionals who can answer your questions, address your concerns, and sell you a quality home that will keep your family safe and sound.
Welcome to Ken-Co Homes Inc. - your premier choice for mobile home sales in Florence, SC. Ken-Co Homes has been Lake City's go-to manufactured home since 1974. With several locations in South Carolina, we're the first choice for manufactured homes in the state. As longtime locals in the community, we pride ourselves on honesty, hard work, and running a manufactured home business that you can count on.
There's no secret sauce that makes Ken-Co Homes successful. We work hard, sell the finest Clayton, Destiny, Scotbilt, Homes, and treat our customers like we would like to be treated. That's why, when you meet our team for your home tour, you'll be treated with respect and greeted with a warm smile. Whether you have questions regarding financing or the fit and finish of a floorplan, we'll maintain that same level of kindness, courtesy, and honesty. That way, you know for sure that you have invested in a top-notch manufactured home that your family will love.
Unlike other manufactured home dealers, we have a full selection of Clayton Homes for sale with attractive floor plans to fit your unique lifestyle. When you choose Ken-Co Homes, you're also choosing:
We offer our valued customers a $500 guarantee that we will meet or beat ANY competitor who has a lower price on one of our homes with the same options. Don't believe us? Contact our office today!
With decades of combined experience, our team has the tools and know-how to make your buying process smooth and stress-free.
Buying a home can be challenging, especially with travel logistics and other factors at play. Our team can help answer any questions you have about buying a home and transporting it to a park or piece of private land.
When you buy from Ken-Co Homes, you're investing in a high-quality product that your family will love for years to come. With more than a dozen home choices, you're sure to find a new home that matches your lifestyle.
We'll work with you one-on-one to ensure you get the home of your dreams. If you have questions or concerns once you move in, give us a call - we're here to help.
We offer detail-oriented, experienced set-up crews that make living life in your new home easy and efficient.
At Ken-Co Homes, we offer flexible financing options to help make buying your dream home a reality.
Whether you're looking for a smaller two-bedroom manufactured home or a large, luxurious four-bedroom manufactured home, our friendly consultants are ready to help you build the home of your dreams.
"Is there a difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?" is one of the most common questions we get online and in person. Today, many people use mobile home and manufactured home interchangeably. That's understandable because both types of homes share similar features and benefits for homeowners. However, understanding the minor differences can be valuable when searching for a new place to call home.
Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes are built in a factory. Once completed, they're shipped to a specific location where the homeowner will live. The term "manufactured home" refers to any factory-built home constructed after June 15, 1976. That date is when the HUD or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented guidelines centered around manufactured home construction.
HUD code requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a base frame with wheels with a minimum of 320 square feet.
Thanks to fast build times and lower material costs, manufactured homes for sale in Florence, SC is often more cost-effective for home buyers. Compared to traditional site-built homes, many manufactured homes can be up to 35% less than more traditional houses.
Any mobile homes built after June 15, 1976, are considered manufactured homes today, though many people use the term mobile home casually. In the past, these homes were used to travel and were more like the expensive RVs that people use today than true manufactured homes. Back then, mobile homes received a bad reputation due to poor build quality, but they've come a long way since that time. Today, mobile homes are safe, comfortable, and structurally sound, with many types of amenities and floor plans.
Manufactured homes are more popular in the U.S. than ever, and for good reason: prospective homeowners are looking for affordable, quality alternatives to traditional homes. That's especially true today, with inflation on the rise, necessitating more budget-friendly options for anyone who wants to put a roof over their heads.
If you're used to living in a traditional, site-built home, you may be wondering what the advantages are of buying a manufactured home. Here are just a few of the most common benefits of buying a manufactured home:
When you boil it down to the basics, buying a new home is all about the money. One of the most attractive reasons for buying a manufactured home is that they are often much less expensive than traditional site-built homes. Today, manufactured housing is considered a crucial part of the housing shortage solution and a viable option with inflation rising. According to statistics, the average square-foot cost of a site-built home is $107, while the average price is only $49 in a manufactured home. Whether you're sticking to a strict budget or your finances have changed due to poor economic conditions, going manufactured might be your best choice.
Owning a manufactured home gives the homeowner long-term living options. Because basic manufactured homes are usually very affordable, families with enough land can start with a small home and add additional units as their needs change. Manufactured homes are also great as starter homes, especially for families that plan on building a permanent structure on their land in the future. Though it could be logistically challenging, manufactured homes can also be moved to a different site if the initial one was on rented property.
Manufactured homes have received a bad rap over the last few decades. In reality, most manufactured homes are purpose-built for longevity with structural integrity. Every manufactured home built today is subject to the HUD code adopted in 1976. This code is the only federally-mandated code in existence. It was designed to ensure that manufactured homes meet strict standards regarding fire safety, structural design, energy efficiency, transportation to home sites, and overall construction. All manufactured homes sold in the U.S. have a permanent red seal to confirm they meet HUD standards.
When you buy a manufactured home, you may be able to move in faster than you would via traditional routes. Some manufactured homes are even move-in ready in less than 45 days. Compared to a traditional home, once a new manufactured home is built in the factory, buyers usually find that installation is a quick process. Once the manufactured home is delivered, utility work usually moves quickly, regardless of whether you're moving to a park or transporting your home to a piece of land. Before you know it, you're eating, sleeping, and enjoying life in your new manufactured home.
When asked about the pros and cons, many buyers cite energy efficiency as one of the most significant benefits of owning a manufactured home. In general, manufactured housing is more energy efficient than traditional because HUD mandates ensure that homes have high energy efficiency ratings.
These ratings are achieved through upgraded insulation installation, on-demand water heaters, and energy-efficient windows. These upgrades often make entire manufactured homes Energy Star certified. It's no surprise that manufactured homes are 27% more efficient than they used to be with other additions like energy-saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you've ever lived in an apartment complex before, chances are you heard sounds and noises through your walls that you never wanted to hear. If you hate hearing your neighbors and despise thin walls, looking for mobile home sales in Florence, SC is a great idea. Why? Manufactured homes are typically built using separate modules, which reduces sound transference from room to room. When two or more modules are combined and insulated separately, buyers enjoy an even quieter, stronger home with less outside noise.
If there's one disappointing aspect of manufactured homes, the stigma seems to surround them. Yes, mobile homes from 30 or more years ago aren't exactly marvels of construction and deserve to be criticized. However, modern manufactured homes are cut from a different cloth and are often every bit as safe and luxurious as site-built homes.
Here are some of the most common (and annoying) mobile home myths debunked:
Modern manufactured homes are factory-built homes crafted with quality materials that meet comprehensive federal construction and safety standards. These standards, called the "HUD Code," outline how the homes must be built, including safety guidelines. For example, manufactured home builders must take strict measures to ensure their homes are resistant to wind. In terms of hurricanes and tornados, having such measures in place can prevent a tragedy from happening.
The bottom line is that manufactured homes are plenty safe and provide a quality product to people who want a lower-cost option over traditional housing.
One of the most repeated myths surrounding manufactured homes is that they are in poor shape and have an overall poor quality. Today, many manufactured homes are built with quality materials and care. It's not unusual to find a manufactured home with luxurious amenities and features lie state-of-the-art kitchens, high-end appliances, and chic open floor plans. At Ken-Co Homes, we can provide you with a complete list of available upgrades and amenities for you to enjoy in your new home.
Perhaps it's due to their popularity and lower prices, but we often hear that it's hard to find manufactured homes for sale. As seasoned home dealers, we can say this is categorically false. Whether you head over to Google and search for "mobile homes near me in Florence, SC," or simply head to Ken-Co Homes' website, you'll see plenty of homes to choose from. Contact our office today for a full list of our homes for sale!
When it comes to home prices in today's day and age, manufactured homes are among the most affordable options available.
That's because manufactured homes cost less to construct than site-built homes, with the average price costing $92K for new construction and $60K for a pre-owned manufactured home, according to recent data. The cost of a traditional home is much higher, with an average of $408K, according to Statista data from 2021. Even though manufactured home living costs change depending on the community, they're often much less expensive than their site-built cousins in the long run.
This myth parallels the stereotype that manufactured homes are cheap and poorly built. Unfortunately, many people still believe that living in a manufactured home community isn't safe. They think that the parks are run down and riddled with reprobates. In reality, many manufactured home parks mimic gated communities with 24-hour security and mandated quiet hours. Some manufactured home neighborhoods even offer community-wide amenities like spas and pools. If you're a fan of the gated community lifestyle but don't want to pay hundreds of thousands for a site-built home, a manufactured home community could be your best bet.
Are you giving serious thought to buying a manufactured home for sale in South Carolina? You're not alone - more than 365K people in the Palmetto State live in manufactured homes. At Ken-Co Homes Inc., we're not your average run-of-the-mill manufactured home dealer. We only do business with manufacturing partners committed to building top-quality products that our customers are proud to own.
If you're looking for modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, unique floorplans, and homes constructed with quality materials, Ken-Co Homes is the company for you. Contact our office today to learn more about our beautiful Clayton homes for sale in Florence, SC.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — According to a news release, a $100 million behavioral health facility will be built in Florence.The South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), South Carolina Dept. of Mental Health (SCDMH), McLeod Health, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health), Francis Marion University (FMU) and HopeHealth announced the facility on Thursday.The new innovative facility will serve as a regional behavioral health hub and include a combination of triage, crisis stabilization, teleheal...
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — According to a news release, a $100 million behavioral health facility will be built in Florence.
The South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), South Carolina Dept. of Mental Health (SCDMH), McLeod Health, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health), Francis Marion University (FMU) and HopeHealth announced the facility on Thursday.
The new innovative facility will serve as a regional behavioral health hub and include a combination of triage, crisis stabilization, telehealth, outpatient and inpatient services that will expand much-needed behavioral health resources in the Pee Dee region.
The release said that once built, the hub will occupy the site of an MUSC-owned property currently known as the Cedar Tower Campus on East Cedar Street in Florence.
The project was coordinated through an advisory committee convened by SCDHHS Director Robby Kerr.
"This first-of-its-kind facility is an enormous step forward in addressing the current and future needs of South Carolina's behavioral health system," said Governor Henry McMaster. "Through the collaboration of our state's universities, hospital systems and state agencies, we connect the pipeline between our education system, workforce and public health needs, leading to improved behavioral health outcomes in our state."
"This type of collaborative effort is the only way to transform the delivery of behavioral health services into a continuum of care that improves efficiency and access to these vital services," Kerr said. "We appreciate the partnership exhibited through this effort, including the financial support provided by the South Carolina General Assembly, and hope to develop a model of care from this innovative new facility that can be used in the other regions of the state."
The state's investment in the project is through funds appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly after years of work to foster collaboration and secure funding by South Carolina Senator Hugh K. Leatherman.
Officials said the new facility will be named after Senator Leatherman.
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As a first-of-its-kind hub, the collaborative pilot is poised to offer a new model for communities throughout the state to address the growing need for behavioral health services.
"Through historic investment and collaboration, the people of the Pee Dee region will soon have a first-of-its-kind, innovative facility to address the growing need for behavioral health services," said Speaker Murrell Smith. "This new facility will not only serve the people of the region, but also serve as an example to the rest of our state and beyond as an exceptional model of care. I'm appreciative of all the parties who came together to make this transformational aspiration a reality, especially the late Senator Leatherman, whose vision for this far preceded any of our plans."
"This historical collaboration will have a monumental impact on the mental health services which will be more readily available for the Pee Dee area and beyond," said Mayor Ervin. "This collaboration will help to create a more comprehensive healthcare hub of the Pee Dee."
"We are excited to partner with these public-private colleagues to make these services available as quickly as possible and have been supportive of finding innovative ways to serve some of our most vulnerable citizens in this way for some time," said David J. Cole, M.D., FACS, MUSC president. "Access to this kind of care is of paramount concern when we consider the economic and societal impact of mental illness, substance abuse and other behavioral health concerns.
"The need and investment are urgent for escalating behavioral health treatment needs and safety," said McLeod Health CEO Donna Isgett. "it will also help reduce over-utilization of the state's emergency rooms for psychiatric patients who need another level of care, as well as focus on bridging the gaps in mental health services for patients of all ages in the Pee Dee."
"Senator Hugh Leatherman had long envisioned a facility of this type in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina where our health providers and educational institutions would come together collaboratively," said FMU President Fred Carter. "At FMU, we're preparing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners and Doctors of Psychology to provide practitioners needed in this crucial field."
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The new facility will include:
"As one of the state's largest community health centers, we have invested significant resources into the integration of a multi-disciplinary behavioral health program, including psychiatrists, psychologists and behavioral health counselors," said HopeHealth CEO Carl Humphries. "This investment proved to be a critical necessity during the pandemic, when issues like isolation and fear of the unknown lead to larger mental health concerns for our patients."
"Insufficient behavioral health resources are not a problem limited to the Pee Dee region," said SCDMH Acting Director Robert M. Bank, M.D. "This partnership between local healthcare systems and state agencies will create a true continuum of behavioral health services so that citizens of the Pee Dee in need receive the right treatment at the right time in their local community. This type of collaboration not only seeks to improve services but could also serve as a model that could be duplicated elsewhere in the state."
Construction will begin in 2024.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Ground was broken Wednesday morning in Florence County for a new, state-of-the-art electric vehicle battery factory that is expected to create nearly 1,200 jobs.South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and other state and local leaders are attending the ceremony for the 1.5-million-square-foot plant, which is being built at the intersection of Estate Road and East Old Marion Highway across from Wilson High School.“Our future, our success depends on three main pillars of our success,” McMaster...
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Ground was broken Wednesday morning in Florence County for a new, state-of-the-art electric vehicle battery factory that is expected to create nearly 1,200 jobs.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and other state and local leaders are attending the ceremony for the 1.5-million-square-foot plant, which is being built at the intersection of Estate Road and East Old Marion Highway across from Wilson High School.
“Our future, our success depends on three main pillars of our success,” McMaster said. “That’s an education strength, our economic strength and our environmental strength. And all three of those pillars are wrapped together like roots of a tree. If ones missing, the other two can’t hold it up.”
The plant, which is being built by AESC, a Japanese battery technology company, is expected to open in 2026 and created 1,170 jobs, officials said.
“Today, South Carolina is proud to celebrate AESC as the company embarks on a historic chapter in our state,” McMaster said. “Florence County has been ripe for an investment of this magnitude — one that will transform local communities and create generational wealth for South Carolinians. The groundbreaking for AESC’s battery cell gigafactory is a landmark moment in the evolution of South Carolina’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry.”
Jeff Deaton, AESC’s U.S. managing director, said the plant is another milestone for his company.
“AESC continues to be a global leader in developing next generation EV battery technology, and we’re proud to be further growing our capacity to build those products in U.S. facilities, accelerating the transition to clean energy transportation,” Deaton said.
Deaton also said the decision to invest in Florence County and in South Carolina was an easy one.
“SC is home to 500 automotive companies and is the number one exporter of passenger vehicles and also the number one producer of tires in the United States,” Deaton said. “So, our decision to invest in SC was an easy one.”
The plant will be a major boost for the region, Florence County Council Chairman Willard Dorriety said.
“AESC’s groundbreaking marks a historic day for Florence County and its residents, as it will bring an abundance of high paying jobs to our community,” he said. “We know AESC will be a vital and active partner in the County for decades to come.”
Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin agreed.
“We are ecstatic about AESC’s decision to locate in Florence County and are honored to be celebrating this groundbreaking today alongside the community leaders whose collaboration made this project possible,” Myers Ervin said.
According to a news release, the 30 GWh battery plant builds on AESC’s existing battery manufacturing network that includes a plant in operation in Tennessee and another plant under construction in Kentucky.
“Collectively, AESC’s U.S. plants upon completion will provide up to 70 GWh capacity annually, powering the shift to electric vehicles with U.S.-made batteries and components,” the news release said.
The Florence location will support the company’s partnership with BMW Group, which was announced in October 2022. Under that agreement, AESC will provide battery cells for next- generation electric vehicles produced at BMW’s Spartanburg plant, the news release said.
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Aundrea Gibbons joined the News13 team in May 2023 after graduating from Clemson University with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and communication. Aundrea is a Marion native and graduated as salutatorian in 2019. Follow Aundrea on Twitter and read more of her work here.
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Dennis Bright is a digital producer at News13. Dennis is a West Virginia native and graduate of Marshall University. He has won copyediting and journalism awards in West Virginia and Ohio. Follow Dennis on Twitter and read more of his work here.
FLORENCE — The city of Florence is set to adopt a comprehensive plan that prioritizes rapid but responsible growth and paves the way for an expanded downtown, reinvestment in local neighborhoods and a growing housing supply.The comprehensive plan will serve as officials’ guiding document as they make decisions in the next 10 years.“It’s our Bible. It’s our guide for all the work that we do,” Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said. “It is important for us to set out realistic goals and ...
FLORENCE — The city of Florence is set to adopt a comprehensive plan that prioritizes rapid but responsible growth and paves the way for an expanded downtown, reinvestment in local neighborhoods and a growing housing supply.
The comprehensive plan will serve as officials’ guiding document as they make decisions in the next 10 years.
“It’s our Bible. It’s our guide for all the work that we do,” Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said. “It is important for us to set out realistic goals and a timeline and a map on how to do that.”
The plan builds on the city’s previous successes, Moore said, and does not significantly depart from the strategies employed in the past decade, which saw significant growth in Florence’s downtown. Much of the comprehensive plan focuses on expanding the strategies that worked downtown into neighboring areas.
This year’s 173-page document is just Florence’s second-ever comprehensive plan. The city only formed a Planning Department in the late 2000s after it broke away from Florence County’s Planning Department.
Development of the master plan began in 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Moore said. It was developed by city staff and consultants who compiled information from previous plans, city officials and public meetings.
In May, City Council members voted to approve the plan when it was introduced, and the council will likely officially adopt it in June.
One of the top priorities included in Florence’s comprehensive plan is growth, both in population and in land area, in order to continue the city’s economic development.
By 2040, the plan estimates Florence will have a population of between 45,000 and 50,000 people. That number could be greater, depending on the city’s success in attracting and retaining residents.
To encourage growth, the plan recommends officials continue annexing property on the outskirts of town while also annexing so-called “doughnut hole” properties that are within the city but not technically a part of it.
While annexation is a priority, the comprehensive plan also calls for the city to balance outward growth with targeted revitalization of core neighborhoods already in the city.
“We’ve made a major emphasis on our existing neighborhoods, how to revitalize them and how to do that appropriately so you’re not displacing or causing gentrification or anything like that,” Moore said.
Included in the plan are a range of policy options the city could use to encourage development of blighted areas, including some of the same strategies the city used to revitalize downtown.
Another focus is equitable growth. Officials have touted targeted investment in areas that have been historically neglected. At a recent panel to discuss downtown development, Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin said encouraging development “across the track” is a priority, both for quality of life and economic opportunity
“If you’re ashamed of any area of your city, that means you need to address that, because if you don’t want the businesses to come and look at a certain area, that’s saying that you’re not prepared for them,” Ervin said.
The plan recommends a comprehensive review of city policies and city zoning with an eye on creating more equitable outcomes for low-income areas.
Florence’s infrastructure is another focus of the comprehensive plan. At the top of the list is the city’s stormwater systems, a common cause for concern among residents.
Frequent flooding led officials to pursue development of a new stormwater master plan in recent years, an update to the 1970s plan the city has been relying on. Public meetings to collect feedback on the plan finished up at the beginning of May.
The comprehensive plan recommends officials seriously pursue the suggestions included in the plan and invest in infrastructure improvements across the city’s stormwater management system.
The plan also identifies “exasperation” with the state of Florence’s main corridors, citing an “inability to control corridor quality just outside the city limits, along with the challenge of having so many older areas in need of revitalization along Florence’s main roads and highways.”
Corridors such as Palmetto Street and Irby Street act as gateways into Florence and can quickly shape first impressions of the city, potentially discouraging investment or visitors’ interest in the area if they aren’t addressed.
The plan recommends creating a comprehensive approach to develop the corridors, fund streetscape enhancements and install entrance features and public branding.
Regarding transportation, the plan highlights needed infrastructure improvements for non-vehicle transportation, such as bicycle and foot traffic. The plan recommends changes to roadways that will make travel safer and more accessible for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Moore said that housing is often included in the growth or infrastructure sections of a comprehensive plan. In Florence’s plan, housing is its own section. That was intentional.
In the last decade, the city lost economic development opportunities because of disrepair downtown and in some of the surrounding neighborhoods. While downtown has seen revitalization, some neighborhoods are still in need of investment, Moore said.
The city is strapped for housing, according to the plan, and in order to accommodate a growing workforce, the city will need to develop a larger quantity and diversity of housing options for different incomes and circumstances — rental options, single-family homes, detached townhomes — all at different price points.
To develop the necessary housing, the city may need to construct housing, as it has already done, create incentives for development or work directly with developers, according to the plan.
While the plan calls for a wide variety of housing options, Moore said the city wants to encourage homeownership by incentivizing residents to buy homes and eliminating barriers to becoming a homeowner. The plan notes that homeownership can lead to a deeper and more long lasting investment in the neighborhood and the broader community.
FLORENCE — The streets of downtown Florence were empty in 2011, almost as empty as the buildings.“It was actually a ghost town,” said Ella Frazier, a downtown retailer. “The only thing that was actually there was a barbershop, a beauty shop and Lady Kids, a retail shop down the street. That was it on Evans Street.”Frazier has watched the growth over the past 12 years. Downtown has transformed from empty spaces and plenty of parking places to eight blocks of retailers, restaurants and bars, offices ...
FLORENCE — The streets of downtown Florence were empty in 2011, almost as empty as the buildings.
“It was actually a ghost town,” said Ella Frazier, a downtown retailer. “The only thing that was actually there was a barbershop, a beauty shop and Lady Kids, a retail shop down the street. That was it on Evans Street.”
Frazier has watched the growth over the past 12 years. Downtown has transformed from empty spaces and plenty of parking places to eight blocks of retailers, restaurants and bars, offices and pocket parks featuring sculptures and other public art installations.
Cars fill the parking spots, and people stroll the sidewalks.
It can be difficult to find parking in front of stores and restaurants, Frazier said. Fortunately, the city built a four-story free parking deck at the edge of the historic downtown.
“It’s been exciting to see the growth over these past years. I love to tell them it’s not over yet,” Frazier said.
In 2009, Frazier founded Ella’s Boutique Etcete’ra on North Irby Street, a major artery that connects north and south Florence.
Electrical problems forced her to seek another location.
She drove around Florence for four months but couldn’t find a place she liked or could afford. Finally, she walked around historic downtown and noticed a for-rent sign at 169 W. Evans St.
The owner wanted a five-year lease. Frazier didn’t want to commit to more than two. After a few months of negotiations, the owner decided to sell the building to Frazier and financed the sale.
“I was the first boutique there, and everything started building around me,” she said.
The Lake City native moved to New York when she was 16. She lived there for 36 years. She returned to Florence in 2001. After earning a master’s degree in health education, she sought a job in that field for three years. Potential employers kept saying they were looking for someone with more experience.
Health care was Frazier’s first option. Fashion was her second, and she made plans to open a boutique.
Fate stepped in to delay her boutique plans.
Someone asked if she was looking for a bed-and-breakfast location as she was touring Florence to find a boutique site.
Frazier wasn’t, but she was directed to the Francis P. Holman house at 111 Kuker St. near downtown.
She and her husband, David, liked the Holman house. They bought it and converted it into the Ambrias Garden Manor Bed and Breakfast.
In 2009, she restarted her pursuit of a boutique — first with her Irby Street location. The move to the former downtown J.C. Penney store came in November 2011.
Today, Ella’s Boutique Etcete’ra is filled with dresses, women’s suits, jewelry and hats.
Customers call her at all hours to make appointments. Customers travel from as far away as Georgia, Charleston and Greenville to find the perfect outfit for any occasion, she said.
“I call it a one-stop shop because women can come in and find anything they need for whatever occasion they need,” Frazier said. “Women don’t come in my store just to shop. ... They became friends and talk to each other. ... It’s a good time. It’s women coming together and helping each other.”
Frazier credits the city and the Florence Downtown Development Corp. with the rebirth of downtown.
The Downtown Historic District began its decline in the 1960s as shopping malls became the rage.
In 1976, a downtown renewal project was launched to update storefronts to attract shoppers. The project attempted to create a covered concrete promenade attached to the historic storefronts to attract mall shoppers.
It didn’t work. The promenade was removed in the 1980s. Three other revitalization attempts failed.
A 2006 downtown master plan and citywide structure plan — “Florence ... Cultural Heart of the Pee Dee Region” — created the groundwork for the rebirth of downtown.
It identified downtown as a key to Florence’s growth and ability to attract industries and workers to the city. It focused on creating a pedestrian-friendly area with trees, open spaces and revitalization of historic downtown buildings.
The plan also created Downtown Florence Renaissance Inc., a nonprofit corporation with board members from the city, county, Chamber of Commerce and the community.
Downtown Florence Renaissance morphed into the Florence Downtown Development Corp. in the city’s 2010 downtown development master plan. The board was revamped to include members in real estate, banking, fundraising and business management.
It also was charged with helping new businesses develop business plans and apply for grants and tax credits to renovate the historic downtown buildings.
City leaders, stakeholders and community focus groups created the plan, which addressed housing, public spaces, employment, mobility, infrastructure and economic development.
“Concurrently, the City should begin to put in place the programs and institutional structures leading to a sustainable climate of reinvestment,” according to the 2010 downtown master plan update.
In 2013, a group of local investors purchased a building at 126 W. Evans St. They converted it into Hotel Florence and Victor’s restaurant. As historic downtown’s first anchor, it was a major catalyst to change public perception.
In the decade since, downtown has seen more than $300 million in public and private investment.
Residents and visitors can see the results of that investment.
A stroll in the eight-block historic district will take you past 10 public art displays, including statues of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax at the downtown splash pad, a kinetic sculpture called the Big Bleu Birdnanna and a sculpture of William H. Johnson, a world-renowned African American artist and Florence native.
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Wednesday morning for a Japanese battery plant along the 1300 block of Estate Road near Wilson High School in Florence.The plant will employ more than 1,100 workers with an average salary of around $65,000 a year, according to officials.South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Carolina Secretary of State of C...
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Wednesday morning for a Japanese battery plant along the 1300 block of Estate Road near Wilson High School in Florence.
The plant will employ more than 1,100 workers with an average salary of around $65,000 a year, according to officials.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Carolina Secretary of State of Commerce Harry Lightsey, Managing Director of AESC Jeff Deaton, as well as other state, city and county leaders will be on hand for the event.
UPDATED GALLERY: Gov. McMaster, other officials break ground for Japanese battery plant in Florence
Florence County Economic Development CEO Gregg Robinson calls it one of the biggest economic development projects in the county's history.
"For the North Eastern section of the entire state, this is the biggest economic development project that we have ever had. It ranks in the top three for economic development projects for the state of South Carolina. For the Northeastern strategic alliance in our region, this is an opportunity for us to grow our tax base. To advance qualities of life. And employ future generations in a brand new technology. It’s a milestone," said Robinson.
The state will provide water, sewer and a newly built road from Highway 327 to Estate Road, as an incentive, for the plant.
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"Incentives are the critical part of the package. But it’s not the only part. But you have to have it ready. And so, our infrastructure is being provided by the state of South Carolina. With water and sewer upgrades. Directly behind us, you see the water tabs that are going in from the city. We will have a new road that’s coming from 327 back all the way to Koppers. So, we are dedicating all of this infrastructure to developing 950 acre industrial Park. Where AESC will be the anchor tenant. And that's very important. We will have a number of suppliers. And a number of companies that will support AESC in the next 20 years," said Robinson.
AESC will supply technology-leading battery cells to be used in the next-generation electric vehicle models produced at the BMW Group’s Plant in Spartanburg. The advanced battery format will result in 20% more energy density than the current generation, reduce charging time and increase range and efficiency for electric vehicles by 30%.
AESC has 5,600 employees and 12 manufacturing sites in Japan, the U.S., the U.K., France, Spain and China.
In the past 12 years, AESC has produced power batteries for more than 800,000 electric vehicles in 59 countries, achieving a record of 'zero critical battery malfunction, according to a news release.