Jafza prepares for construction, seeks tenants

By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, September 26, 2010 3:08 am | (3) Comments

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ILLUSTRATION SPECIAL TO THE T&DCounty officials say the planned Jafza Enterprise Center will show the 1,322-acre logistics, manufacturing and distribution park is open for business.

As Jafza South Carolina LLC plans for the construction of a new building at its 1,322-acre park in Santee, officials say they're also preparing for bigger things to come.

Senior Vice President Clint Murphy says there's been considerable interest in the company's plans for a logistics, manufacturing and distribution park at the site.

"We have written numerous proposals for tenants to locate in our Phase 1," he said. "Several of these proposals are still active and we remain optimistic that we can sign an agreement in 2011."

Murphy said assuming an agreement is signed in 2011, a manufacturing facility typically takes a year to plan and construct.

Phase 1 of Jafza Magna park consists of 47 acres on the west side of Interstate 95, next to the Santee Town Hall, and 76 acres on the east side of I-95, behind the Santee Outlet Mall.

Jafza has met all the necessary regulatory requirements to begin development, including site certification, Murphy said.

To help create a "flagship building" for the project, Orangeburg County and Tri-County Electric Cooperative worked together get Jafza a no-interest federal loan for the construction of the "Jafza Enterprise Center" on 5 acres bordering interstate.

The 20,000-square-foot building will house Jafza offices, warehouse space and training facilities for Timmonsville-based Palmetto Training Inc. An estimated 10 to 15 people would be employed there.

Murphy said the company is looking to move its headquarters to the new building upon completion to better serve company clients and to have oversight of the project now that it is moving forward.

County officials say they expect the building to be a flagship, providing a visible indication that Jafza is open for business and committed to its plans for Orangeburg County.

Construction is expected to begin in October with a Jan. 1, 2011 opening.

Murphy declined to say how much it will cost to build the center.

"We don't discuss price," he said. "We won't know until bids come in and are properly evaluated."

As part of the loan agreement, Jafza will deed 5 acres to the county for the development of the structure, which will be located near Santee Town Hall and visible from Interstate 95.

The county is leasing that land back to Jafza with Jafza being responsible for construction. Jafza will have the sole responsibility for the building, including finding tenants and paying taxes.

n Palmetto Training

Palmetto Training provides classes in a number of fields, including industrial maintenance, carpentry, forklift operations, truck driving and welding, according to the company's website. It also has locations in Timmonsville, Charleston and Winnsboro.

Several calls and messages left over a period of a couple of weeks for PTI President Elmer E. Jackson were not returned.

In an interview last year with the Winnsboro-based Herald Independent newspaper, Jackson said he incorporated PTI in 1998 while he was working as a high school vocational educator.

In the interview, Jackson said Palmetto Training designs its curricula to meet identified employer needs.

Murphy said the center will provide specialized vocational training in areas such as excavation and heavy equipment usage, and possibly computer training.

Although local officials haven't had much experience with the company, Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson said Palmetto Training has a role to play in the county's economic development.

"Any type of training is good in my opinion," Robinson said. "People are learning a new skill set and now in this climate it is time to go back to school and learn a new skill. They will be a tenant in this new enterprise building and we hope they are successful."

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College President Dr. Anne Crook initially expressed concerns about the county's plans to help finance a building that could house a private training firm, especially as OCtech is experiencing budget cuts.

Crook said she has no concerns about Palmetto Training being in the county. She says OCtech can provide the same training as Palmetto Training.

"We don't mind competition," Crook said. "From a competitive standpoint we feel like we do everything they do and probably better."

Crook said OCtech offers what is considered the "premiere" truck driving training in the state and that it recently added a state-of-the-art welding facility.

Crook says the college has an arrangement in place with sister colleges to provide heavy machinery training.

"Them being a part of the Jafza building does not mean they will be doing the training for Jafza," Crook said. She noted the state technical college system already provides training through the Ready South Carolina workforce force training program.

Crook said she has had conversations with the company but has never worked with the firm.

n Palmetto Training

in Fairfield County

Fairfield County cut the ribbon on a Palmetto Training facility in Winnsboro about a year ago.

Fairfield County Councilman David L. Ferguson Sr. says he became aware of Palmetto Training through his professional working relationship with Jackson while serving as a career education teacher in Sumter County.

So when the economic downturn hit, Ferguson said the county's One Stop Shop got in touch with Palmetto Training to help bring in specialized classes in carpentry, welding and other areas.

Palmetto Training began operations in the county about a year ago and graduated its first class of about 14 students about six weeks ago, said Ferguson.

Electricians, masons and carpenters were among the graduates.

"We are happy to have them in Fairfield County," he said, noting the county has lost three plants in the county over the past few years "Our unemployment rates are double digits. We are at odds of what to do."

"We wanted to bring all our workforce who was underemployed or unemployed brought up to a good skill standard," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Palmetto Training serves as a stepping stone to more in-depth training provided by the technical college system.

"We have as good a career center in Fairfield County as any," he said. "We have tried to get kids in the certain level and send them onto Midlands Technical. He gets their feet wet."

Contact the writer: gzaleski@times anddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551.

US-based Magna Park starting to take shape

Monday, Sep 06, 2010

Gulf News

Construction of first building underway

Dubai Economic Zones World announced the construction of the first building in Jafza Magna Park, its US-based, 1,324 acre logistics and distribution hub located in Santee, South Carolina.

The 20,000 square feet training centre and office will be a multi-use facility that will consist of shared office facilities, training laboratories and general warehouse space known as Leased Industrial Units.

Economic Zones World acquired over 1,300 acres just outside of the town limits of Santee in Orangeburg County in the fall of 2007.

Since then Jafza has pursued and received all the necessary regulatory requirements to begin development, including site certification from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

The initial land development will be done in three immediate phases which include the construction of the mixed-use training facility and the development of 42 and 76 acres of plots respectively. The project is expected to attract about $1.2 billion (Dh4.4 billion) in private investment and generate an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 jobs over a decade.

“This building is a significant milestone for us at EZW, especially for the Jafza team on the ground in the United States. We are excited about the project and have spent time laying the ground work for it. This first step towards the realization of all the hard work is very rewarding,” said Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, chief executive officer of Economic Zones World.

“It is, above all, an encouraging sign of the global economic recovery and we hope it’s a stepping stone to many more great things to come at Santee,” he added.

County Council chairman Johnnie Wright said the facility will be a major asset to the region as well as the development of the Industrial Park.

“This is further confirmation of Jafza’s commitment to South Carolina and Orangeburg County. It is indeed a Great Day in Orangeburg County,” Wright said.

In addition to the US Industrial park project, Economic Zones World is currently engaged in numerous development projects across Asia (India, Malaysia and China); Africa (Djibouti); the Middle East (the UAE) and Europe (Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain and France).

This building is a significant milestone for us at EZW, especially for the Jafza team on the ground in the United States. We are excited about the project...”

Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb

CEO, Economic Zones World

Staff Report

Plans for Jafza training facility move forward

It seems that we are starting to see a trickle of information being released about Jafza. Stay tuned.

Ron

By PHIL SARATA, T&D Staff Writer | Posted: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 2:28 am |

There were no comments during a public hearing Monday on an ordinance authorizing a deed-lease agreement between the county and Jafza South Carolina, LLC. Orangeburg County Administrator Bill Clark said second reading will take during a special called council meeting, which could be held Aug. 23.Construction of a training building near Interstate 95 is one step closer to fruition thanks to agreements between Orangeburg County and several entities.

Stephen McCrae Jr., Jafza's attorney, said the company will deed five acres to the county for the development of the structure.

"At the same time, the county will lease that land back to Jafza with the responsibility on our part to construct a facility called The Training Center," McCrae said. "The funding for the construction will be through Tri-County Electric Cooperative. It has some funds from Rural Economic Development Land Grant and other funding.

"The construction must be completed by January 1 because we already have one tenant identified. This is a wonderful opportunity, not only for Jafza but for the county, which brought it to us."

McCrae said the tenant is an organization involved in workforce training. Jafza will have the sole responsibility for the building, including finding tenants and paying taxes.

Clark said Tri-County is able to obtain almost $1 million through REDLG, which it will make available to the county at no interest for ten years under a separate agreement. The agreement also allows for the deferral of payments for the first two years.

"These are extraordinary, beneficial terms that cannot be touched in the private sector," Clark said. Tri-County, "will have a separate agreement with Jafza to construct the building, which will make lease payments sufficient to cover the debt service on the loan.

"It's a win-win for all parties."

McCrae said the final terms of the agreement, such as the construction budget, still need to be ironed out. He promised the documentation, once completed, will be made available for public inspection before second reading next week.

"This is virtually risk-free for the county," McCrae said. "Jafza has land that will be made available to the county if there is a default on the lease."

Also during its Monday meeting, council agreed to enter an intergovernmental loan agreement with Santee Cooper for up to $4 million for ten years. Clark said the money would likely be used for the development of a regional wastewater facility in eastern Orangeburg County.

"We have a wastewater facility under permitting review right now that should become operational in the next two, three years," Clark said. "If we need funding assistance to proceed with the development of either the water or the wastewater utility systems in that area, Santee Cooper has just made themselves available as a partner, if needed."

If the county were to use any of the Santee Cooper funding, "payment would not occur until either six months after the facility was constructed and permitted to operate, or two years from the time the funds were drawn down," Clark said. "Principal payment could be deferred to the end or be prepaid at any other negotiated period."

Santee Cooper spokesman Mollie Gore said the agreement must win approval of that utility's board of directors next week before it becomes final.

"This arrangement would be similar in structure to an agreement Santee Cooper had with Berkeley County in order to help attract development," Gore said.

In other action council:

* Unanimously gave final approval to a new county waste tire policy. Clark said accepting the policy keeps the county eligible for waste tire funding from the state.

* Awarded South Carolina State University Head Football Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries a resolution of honor in recognition of his accomplishments in the field of athletics and role in community service to Orangeburg County. Jeffries was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame July 17.

* Entered executive session to discuss economic development, including the terms of the Jafza agreement.

Contact the writer: psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5540.

Site sought for new Army Reserve Center

It looks like things are starting to heat up. I hear that Jafza is going to have a ground braking in October. Ron


By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 4:18 am | (2) Comments
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SPECIAL TO THE T&D
The U.S. Army provided this sketch of a design for an Army Reserve Center, indicating the new $11.6 million center planned for the area would be similar.

The U.S. Army wants to purchase land within a 50-mile radius of the Orangeburg area for the construction of an Army Reserve Center.
Public Affairs Specialist Ken Beyer says leads are currently being sought for available land.
"We are only ... in the ‘looking for property' stage so there are no properties under consideration yet," Beyer said.
The Army hopes to purchase a 15-acre tract of land that has no environmental problems, is in close proximity to utilities, has good vehicle access and visibility, is suitable for construction of the center and is within budget.
The project will include a 34,000-square-foot training building, a 5,000-square-foot maintenance shop, a 2,000-square-foot unheated storage building and a 5,800-square-yard parking area.
Beyer said the time-frame is uncertain for construction of the facility but the $11.6 million project will be funded in the 2012 fiscal year budget.
The work will include land clearing, paving, fencing, site improvements and utility extensions.
"The new facility will be occupied by the eight Army Reserve units currently occupying the existing Orangeburg Memorial United States Army Reserve Center," Beyer said. The existing center is located on John C. Calhoun Drive across from Superior Honda in Orangeburg.
He said the new center will provide administrative, assembly, library, learning center, vault, weapons simulator and physical fitness space for the reserve units. The maintenance shop will provide work bays and administrative support.
Beyer hesitated to place an economic impact assessment on what the reserve center could mean from a dollar or jobs standpoint. However, he said soldiers will use local colleges and universities and spend locally. In addition, he said local catering businesses will provide meals for the soldiers, and local contractors will benefit from building maintenance projects.
Once the new center is built and occupied, the old Reserve Center will be considered "excess property" and "more than likely returned to the city," Beyer said. Options could be to convert the building into a homeless shelter, sell it or transfer it for use as a public facility, he said.
Gregg Robinson, Orangeburg County Development Commission executive director, says the county has been in contact with the U.S. Army for the past 30 days and has responded to the Army's request for a proposal.
"We have several properties that fit the criteria of the Army," Robinson said. "We would obviously like to place this facility in Orangeburg County. Folks are interested in the Orangeburg area due to our location, and the Global Logistics Triangle works for manufacturing and for the military. Orangeburg County is important logistically with the connectivity (it) offers."
In addition, the area is ideal because of its restaurants and the interstate, he said.
Robinson said the military sector fits in well with the county's future development plans.
"The Army is a very important part of Orangeburg County," he said, noting that supporting and training the Reservists to protect the nation's interests is very important.
"The beauty of having a facility of that quality in our community is the derived externalities that (will come) from other military investments."
More restaurants and service stations could be a part of the spin-off, Robinson said.
"We continue to work with a number of different types of projects," he said. "We are trying to make sure we have a competitive environment of growth for the county."
Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551.
Copyright 2010 The Times and Democrat. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hilliard, Gilmore file in Santee mayoral race Seabrooks not seeking re-election

By MARTHA ROSE BROWN, T&D Correspondent Friday, March 05, 2010

Mayor Silas Seabrooks, who says he’s served the town as mayor for a total of 22 years, declined to comment about his decision not to run for another four-year term. He said he would comment about the upcoming election and his reflections on his service to the town at a later time.

Two candidates have entered the mayoral contest: Santee Town Councilman John Mark Gilmore and Donnie L. Hilliard, former Santee town administrator and Orangeburg County administrator.

Also up for grabs are two seats on Santee Town Council.

Incumbents Cleveland Gilmore and Shirley Upton are seeking re-election, and challengers Roosevelt Hezekiah and Gregory S. King are also vying for a seat on council.

Terms for both the mayor’s job and the council seats are four years.

Santee Town Clerk Rebecca Wright said no write-in candidates filed. Filing for candidates ended Feb. 12.

When Santee voters head to the polls next month, they will have the option of choosing a mayor and two of the four candidates to serve as council members.

According to the Orangeburg County Office of Voter Registration and Elections Commission, Santee residents not yet registered to vote in the April 13 election must register by March 13.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, at the Santee Family Development Center at 210 Brooks Blvd. near Santee Town Hall.

The Municipal Board of Canvassers will hold a certification hearing to determine the validity of all provisional ballots cast in the municipal election at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 15, in the Council Chambers at Santee Town Hall.

Contact the writer: marfawose@aol.com.

Largest ship to visit Charleston docks at Wando Welch

From the Charleston Business Journal
Staff Report
Published Feb. 25, 2010

Mediterranean Shipping Co.’s Golden Gate service made its first call today on the Port of Charleston, linking the Southeast’s deepest seaport with China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The first vessel to arrive in Charleston as part of the service, the MSC Rita, got here overnight and is working today at the Wando Welch Terminal.

The 1,065-foot-long Rita is the largest ship to ever come to Charleston. The only other vessel docked at the port today that came close to Rita’s size was the 850-foot Ville D. Aquarius. The smallest vessel in port on Thursday was the 383-foot Ocean Titan. The MSC Rita can hold 8,034 TEUs (20-foot equivalent unit container).

“Importers and exporters across the U.S. Southeast and Gulf region will benefit from additional connections into China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and India through Charleston,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the S.C. State Ports Authority.

The GGS port rotation includes Shanghai, Ningbo, Chiwan and Yantian, China; Singapore; Salalah, Oman; Suez Canal transit; New York; Baltimore; Norfolk; Charleston; Freeport, Bahamas; Suez Canal transit; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Singapore; Chiwan; and Hong Kong.

Additional connecting services offer links to ports in India, the Red Sea and the Middle East. The Golden Gate service also provides a 21-day transit time outbound from Charleston to Jeddah.

Charleston has the deepest water south of Norfolk on the U.S. East Coast, with a 45-foot deep shipping channel at mean low water, which is the average depth of the shipping channel at low tide. A five- to six-foot tidal lift allows ships with up to 48 feet of draft to transit the harbor.

The Rita has a maximum draft of 47.5 feet.

MSC already sends five ships a week to Charleston serving the western Mediterranean, South American, Caribbean, African and European trades.

In 2009, MSC and the SCSPA signed a new five-year extension to the carrier’s contract, lengthening its commitment in Charleston to 2017.

C of C president keeps up talk of port issues

From the Post and Courier

College of Charleston President George Benson in 2008 raised more than a few eyebrows when, at a Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce economic outlook conference, he chastised his new home city for not taking better care of its maritime industry.

"There apparently is insufficient support for port growth, even within the region's business community," he said. "That's a problem."



Photo by Grace Beahm

College of Charleston President George Benson, who cut his teeth in academics as a research economist, said he thinks the local port has a bright future but remains largely underappreciated.
When Benson spoke at a Propeller Club of Charleston luncheon last week, he echoed those sentiments, with a little added context.

"Seaports are almost the most invisible sector of our economy," he said. He characterized South Carolina's port assets "underappreciated."

Benson, who previously served as dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, offered a few reasons while a rival port in Savannah caught up with and then surpassed Charleston: Georgia has a strong governor system instead of the fractured power structure operating in South Carolina; lawmakers in Atlanta are farther removed from the people of Savannah, who are most significantly impacted by port-related decisions; and Charleston's larger population means more people scrutinize port decisions here.

Benson credited new S.C. State Ports Authority Chief Executive Jim Newsome with a future that "looks bright" for the agency. He also expressed his support of growing the cruise industry, noting, "The bigger the ship, the more cash and credit cards it carries onboard."