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A “significant” data center development is coming to Ridgeville, South Carolina.

According to Dominion letters sent to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, a company called Mallard, LLC is proposing ‘Project Dawson’; a data center development on land near Research Center Drive in Ridgeville, in South Carolina’s Dorchester County.

The site, located to the northeast of Charleson, will have its own substation. Information about the site’s planned capacity – along with timelines – has been redacted.

Dominion said Mallard was investing a “significant” amount of capital into the project, which will represent a “substantial load” for the energy firm.

As reported by the Post and Courier, the company is being offered a special "economic development rider" rate that amounts to 6 cents for every kilowatt hour of power – half of what residential customers pay.

The SC Public Service Commission has to review any such deals, but is yet to set a meeting date.

John Truluck, Dorchester County's economic development director, told the publication he has not heard of Mallard LLC.

The Post notes the data center's location is the same parcels where a company operating as Autumn Timber LLC previously proposed to invest $510 million on an unspecified development at the Pine Hill Business Campus off Highway 17A.

Autumn Timber previously used ‘Project Dawson’ on a permit application with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. Dorchester County Council last month approved tax breaks, a water-service agreement, and a land deal for Autumn Timber – which has previously filed plans under ‘Project Orchid’.

Dorchester County officials previously agreed to sell about 268 acres it owns at Pine Hill Business Campus to Autumn Timber for $5.84 million.

The Post linked Mallard to Google, as the manager of the shell company is one David Thomas. A Google director of corporate strategy named David Thomas has previously been named on other Google-affiliated public documents.

Google currently operates a South Carolina data center campus in Moncks Corner, around 20 miles east of Ridgeville. The company recently acquired another 140 acres in the area.

Elsewhere in South Carolina, a company hiding behind the shell company Starskey LLC is proposing ‘Project Sabal’, which is reportedly a data center development outside Augusta in Graniteville, Aiken County. County officials granted tax incentives to Starskey earlier this year. The company reportedly acquired around 573 acres in the Sage Mill Industrial Park for $19.2 million last year. It's unclear if Starskey/Sabal are linked to Google or Mallard.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the name of the deceased.

The Dorchester County Coroner has identified a woman found with her automobile in a pond near Ridgeville.

Doris T. Gallardo, 85, of Eutawville, was found in a pond near the Walmart Distribution Center in Ridgeville Friday, Nov. 17, at approximately 7:15 a.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:58 a.m. by Dorchester County Coroner Paul J. Brouthers.

An autopsy was conducted on Gallardo Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her cause of death was determined to be drowning and the manner of death is accidental.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are investigating.

Multiple agencies responded to the call at 7:24 a.m. and as first responders arrived, they discovered a vehicle submerged in the retention pond. Lt. Rick Carson of the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office said it was determined at that time there was a fatality associated with the incident.

Out of 111 Girl Scout councils across the United States, the local Girl Scouts of Eastern SC were the No. 1 sellers of Girl Scout cookies this past year.

While rising costs put a pinch on wallets, Girl Scout cookies within the Eastern SC council remain $4 a box. The promotion is being billed as “Still 4 in 24,” as cookie prices are still $4 a box in 2024.

The cookie sale officially began on Jan. 13, and booth sales started on Jan. 19. Booth sales are the locations where Girl Scouts are seen selling cookies at familiar big box stores and small businesses. The cookie season runs through March 17.

To find a nearby cookie location, text “cookies” to 59618. Explore cookie flavors and varieties at bit.ly/ourcookieflavors.

To speak with a Girl Scout Troop, council official or volunteer, call or text communications director Donna Lee at 843-568-1292 to be connected with someone locally.

The Girl Scout cookie sale and entrepreneur program aims to teach five essential skills:

Follow Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina (GSESC) to keep up with booth locations and other opportunities at www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsESC.

Girl Scouts range in age from kindergarteners to seniors in high school.

A Charlotte-based real estate developer has revealed the next phase of a large mixed-use park in Ridgeville.

Childress Klein, the project’s developer, and Altus Equity Group Inc., a real estate sponsor, operator and investment company, said the finalization of securing an $86.5 million loan needed for construction of their industrial project located in the Camp Hall Commerce Park has been arranged with New York Life Real Estate Investors, according to an Altus Equity Group Inc news release.

This is said to be one of the largest historical spec build industrial projects within Charleston proper with the Camp Hall Commerce Park Campus 8, the next phase of the larger Camp Hall mixed-use park, equaling more than 1.4 million square feet, according to the release.

“While construction started in June of last year, we are pleased to announce the closing of our financing for this project,” said Matt Harper, partner at Childress Klein. “Despite some headwinds in the capital markets, we were able to secure attractive financing through New York Life Real Estate Investors and look forward to working with them to complete construction in the second half of this year.”

Camp Hall has been ranked by “Business Facilities Magazine’s” annual rankings as the No. 7 best industrial park in the nation in 2022 – and the only industrial park to make the list in the Southeast. Moreover, the project’s access to Interstate 26 provides convenient connection to the logistics and distribution capabilities of the Charleston market, including the Port of Charleston and Charleston International Airport, the release said.

“We are extremely excited about this project,” said Andrew Eicher, Altus Equity senior vice president. “Charleston is a strong economic center with growing industrial demand from manufacturing, logistics, and the continued growth of the Port of Charleston. There are many complications in a deal of this size, and we appreciate the attentiveness of the local and state governments to the project. In addition to our trusted local industry relationships, Camp Hall and Santee Cooper were instrumental in working through challenges as they arose during the pre-construction phases.”

Construction started in June upon purchase of the land, which was facilitated by Cushman and Wakefield’s Charleston Office. The Charleston office of Jones Lang LaSalle Inc has been selected as the leasing broker for the project by the combined management team, the release said.

Childress Klein has developed more than 51 million square feet of commercial real estate and owns assets valued at more than $3 billion.

“We continue to see opportunities in construction lending and look forward towards solidifying and expanding our relationships with top tier sponsors such as Childress Klein and Altus," said Elizabeth Roy, New York Life Real Estate Investors’ Structured Debt Team senior director.

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RIDGEVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This morning, Walmart associates and managers joined local residents and elected officials for the grand opening of Walmart’s highly anticipated $220 million Import Distribution Center in Ridgeville, S.C. The event featured remarks from Governor Henry McMaster and Mike Gray, SVP Supply Chain Operations, Walmart; as well as a congratulatory video from John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart; and concluded with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Our team of more than 980 associates from Dorchester County and the surrounding communities are excited to officially open the doors to our new Import Distribution Center,” said Jeff Holzbauer, general manager, Import Distribution Center #8980, Walmart U.S. “South Carolina is home to some of the country’s most convenient and efficient modes of transportation, including the Port of Charleston and Interstates 26 and 95. Being a member of this community means having the advantage of the region’s existing infrastructure as well as a pool of experienced associates familiar with it. Cutting this ribbon today signifies our commitment to that community.”

“Walmart has been a long-time partner of South Carolina, and as years have passed, they have continued to double-down on their commitment to our people and reinvest in our state,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Walmart hasn’t only created thousands of jobs in our state – it has become an integral part of the communities in which it operates. Today’s celebration is the result of our state working hard to be the ideal place to do business and a company recognizing the benefit of having our incredibly skilled workforce and premier ports system in its backyard.”

Business Friendly Location Featuring Deep-Water Access

Dorchester County was selected as an ideal location due to South Carolina’s business friendly environment as well as the proximity to the nearby deep-water Port of Charleston. The new Import Distribution Center will store and sort imported goods that arrive through the Port of Charleston– the country’s eighth-largest port—for delivery to 850 regional Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the Southeast. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to increase local port volumes by approximately five percent.

“Walmart is the recognized leader in supply chain innovation and performance. Having this world-class company choose our market for their seventh import distribution center is the ultimate vote of confidence in SC Ports and in South Carolina, further solidifying SC Ports as a leader in retail distribution,” SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome said. “The strategic investments we have made in port infrastructure enable SC Ports to support global retailers’ supply chains. We are thrilled to partner with Walmart to further their growth and impact for years to come.”

“We know our customers count on us for a broad assortment, and this new import distribution center will give us expanded access to seaports, in turn allowing us to deliver a wide selection of merchandise from around the globe,” said Mike Gray, SVP Supply Chain Operations, Walmart. “We also strive to be a store of the community and are proud of how we’ve been able to leverage our investments in supply chain to create economic opportunity and jobs for the Dorchester County area.”

Facility Surpasses Initial Hiring Goal

During the grand opening event, Holzbauer shared that the new facility is well on its way of surpassing its initial hiring goal of 1,000. Working alongside the Department of Commerce, Walmart expects to soon employ more than 1,300 local full-time associates at the new facility.

“We are actively staffing Ridgeville with a team that will play an important role in serving our customers,” said Andrew Dale, Senior Director of US Supply Chain People, Walmart U.S. “Walmart is dedicated to the training and development of its associates. Each of the positions we’re currently hiring for in Ridgeville, brings with it a pathway of lifelong career opportunity that with Walmart’s scale has industry changing impact. Walmart is full of everyday people doing extraordinary things.”

Continued Investment in South Carolina Community

During the grand opening ceremony, Walmart celebrated its commitment to the community by proudly presenting $10,000 to Going Places, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to bring joy to kids-in-need through the gift of bicycles.

“Dorchester County is excited to welcome the Walmart Import Distribution Center to Ridgeville. We value Walmart as a partner in community and economic development and appreciate their investment in our area,” said Bill Hearn, Chairman, Dorchester County Council. “A project of this magnitude requires a great deal of coordination, and we thank all of our allies, including the South Carolina Ports Authority, who made this possible.”

The new Ridgeville facility is located at 1030 Timothy Creek Rd. The three million square-foot facility (equivalent in size to 52 football fields) will become Walmart’s first Import Distribution Center in the state of South Carolina to leverage the port.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 230 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2022 revenue of $573 billion, Walmart employs 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

About Walmart in South Carolina

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online and through their mobile devices. In South Carolina we serve customers at 122 retail units and online through Walmart Online Grocery, Walmart.com and our family of brands. We are proud to employ more than 35,000 associates in South Carolina. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $1.6 billion with South Carolina suppliers in FYE 2021 and supporting more than 22,000 South Carolina supplier jobs. Walmart continues to be a leader in employment opportunity, sustainability, and corporate philanthropy. In FY21, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $15 million in cash and in-kind donations to local nonprofits in South Carolina. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting our corporate website and our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels.

According to Merriam-Webster, an industrial park is “an area of a town or city that is designed especially for factories or offices.” Many industrial parks are just that and nothing more. But a select number of industrial parks nationwide are now pushing the boundaries of what such a development has been or could be. Two top examples are Camp Hall near Charleston, S.C. and MidAmerica Industrial Park near Tulsa, Okla.

Camp Hall, located in Ridgeville, S.C., northwest of Charleston, has carved out its distinctive standing through its commitment to the environment and the protection of wildlife. Almost 40 percent (2,600) of the industrial park’s 6,800 acres has been set aside as preserved acreage.

Efforts to maintain a natural coastal South Carolina habitat have included restoring wildlife habitats for native species, as well as establishing a ‘pollinator pathway” traversed by birds, bees and butterflies. A wetlands restoration project is underway, with the goal of restoring approximately 480 acres of wetlands.

Among the corporate tenants of the master-planned park is Volvo, which chose Camp Hall as the site of its first-ever U.S. manufacturing plant.

Volvo employees and others who work in the park benefit from a people-focused workforce design, which among other perks gives them access to a more than 15-mile trail system through the park. Another amenity is Avian Commons, a Wi-Fi connected collection of small businesses that includes a convenience store, dry cleaner, bank, fitness center and fuel center. It will eventually incorporate an event lawn and playfield for gatherings and celebrations.

“Camp Hall is unique in that it puts just as much emphasis on the area’s natural beauty and nature as it does on infrastructure and amenities,” said Charleston Regional Development Alliance Director of Global Business Megan Anderson. “Prospective companies have been blown away at the quality of place they could potentially offer their future employees.”

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ByAmy DaniseEditor

ByJason MetzEditor

Building workforce

In Pryor, Okla., 45 miles east of Tulsa, MidAmerica Industrial Park (MAIP) stands out for its evolution into what its chief executive officer calls “a multifaceted employment center.” Operating for almost six decades, MAIP encompasses 9,000 acres, is the largest industrial park in the Sooner State and one of the biggest in the U.S.

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It’s not only home to 80 companies that include Google, Chevron, Siemens and other Fortune 500 firms, but also offers health care services and is now building housing within the park. A robust workforce development component trains future workers. MAIP has forged strategic alliances with on-site educational partners delivering relevant programs and services the park’s employers require.

As well, MAIP has unveiled a new MidAmerica Career Center, a kind of one-stop shop for career guidance. It also links employers to crucial job resources accessed from state, tribal and corporate agencies.

Staying invested

“In today’s economic development market, the evolution of an industrial park into a multi-faceted employment center is a cornerstone to inclusive growth in jobs and people,” said David Stewart, MAIP’s CEO. “We continue to evolve, not only to remain relevant, but also to surpass the competition and meet the ever-changing demands of industry . . . Without the generations of hard work behind us, we would not have the experience necessary to compete as a top-tier site location for mega employers.”

MidAmerica Industrial Park has reaped enormous success in luring international companies like DuPont, Canoo and others.

Noted Arthur Jackson, senior vice president of economic development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber: “Not only does its size and central location make it an ideal place for businesses, but MidAmerica continues to invest in infrastructure and workforce development, positioning the park for future growth.”