Florence, South Carolina witnessed a momentous occasion on Wednesday as the Cheney Brothers, Inc. kicked off the construction of their 386,047 food distribution facility on Harllee Boulevard at the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park. This significant investment of $66 million is set to bring a substantial boost to the local economy and create numerous job opportunities.

The Impact of Cheney Brothers' Investment

Initially, it was projected that the facility would bring around 200 new jobs to Florence County. However, during the ceremony, the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Byron Russell, revealed that they will need to hire between 600 to 700 people to fully staff the operation. This highlights the scale and potential of the project.The new distribution center, located on nearly 50 acres across I-95 near Buc-ee's and within the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park, will be Cheney Brothers' first in South Carolina. It will feature 45 loading docks, a Cheney Express, and the largest culinary kitchen developed by the company to date. This state-of-the-art facility will enable Cheney Brothers to significantly expand its reach in the region and enhance customer service.Byron Russell emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, "This new distribution center in Florence will allow Cheney Brothers to enhance our customer service and obtain a higher level of customer satisfaction." The support received from the State of South Carolina and the local communities has been crucial, as highlighted by Russell.A.M. King Business Unit Leader David Sawicki also expressed excitement about the partnership, saying, "We're thrilled to be partnering with Cheney Brothers to develop a facility of this magnitude and complexity. Our history of successful projects for CBI, along with our depth and breadth of food industry expertise, makes this an ideal venture."Cheney Brothers, Inc. is a renowned broad-line food distributor that serves more than 16,000 different products throughout the Southeast region of the United States and in over 100 countries. With more than 3,800 employees and annual revenues exceeding $3.2 billion, the company is well-positioned to make a significant impact.Florence County Council Chairman William Schofield attended the event and expressed gratitude for Cheney Brothers' trust and investment. He noted that 2024 has been a great year for the county with the announcement of 3,000 new jobs from various companies. Schofield believes that Cheney Brothers' presence will contribute to the county's growth and prosperity.Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed in early 2026. This timeline showcases the commitment of both Cheney Brothers and the local community to bring this project to fruition.The success of this project is not only beneficial for Cheney Brothers but also for the local economy and residents. It will create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the region's food distribution capabilities. As the construction progresses, the community eagerly awaits the opening of this state-of-the-art facility and the positive changes it will bring.