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!”

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

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.

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

USDA placed a hold on grant

award and application

acceptance

Dilemma

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

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

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

First Event

Career Fair

and Small

Business Expo

1000+ in Attendance

50+ Exhibitors

75+ Volunteers

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

SHIFTING THE COUNTY’S CULTURE

THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Second Event

The Next Level:

“ Professional

Excellence”

20+ Instructors

75+ Volunteers

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

IMPACTING OUR STATE WITH POSITIVE

CAREER AND ECONOMIC PLANNING

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.

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.