Pee Dee Traffic Club Coming Back to Florence

A traffic club is returning to the Pee Dee area (Florence, SC) to facilitate economic growth in our local transportation and logistics industry.

Veronica Harden, owner of Harden Logistics Group in Florence, SC, began talking with area trucking companies and business leaders last year about her vision for Florence and the surrounding areas to start a traffic club again.  "Most of our cities and towns in this area started as rail stops, and as the railroad grew, so did our local economy.  With our proximity to I-95, I-20, I-74, and the ports of Charleston, Wilmington, Savannah, Norfolk, and Jacksonville, we are a prime location for manufacturers and distribution centers.  Our local trucking industry needs to be strong so we can strengthen and grow our local economy, and our community leaders need to understand, appreciate, and promote our logistical strength to attract companies to this area and add jobs to Pee Dee area."

We used to have a traffic club in this area called the Greater Pee Dee Traffic Club.  It was founded in 1965 by several area trucking company employees, traffic managers, and owners, but it was dissolved around February 2000.  Over the years the traffic club membership changed as a reflection of the changing industry.  In the 1980's when deregulation occurred, the traffic club membership changed from predominantly from large carriers and traffic managers, to include brokers and smaller carriers.  Some of the founding members are still working in the transportation industry and would like for this organization to start again.  Mr. Bert Belk, President of Match Maker, Inc., was one of the founding members in 1965.  When Veronica met with him to share her vision for starting the Pee Dee Transportation Association, he enthusiastically supported this effort and plans to be a part of the association.  "It is very important we have a club again.  There used to be clubs throughout South Carolina.  Transportation is an important part of the Pee Dee, and there are a lot of changes in this industry, making it difficult for area companies to stay informed," says Mr. Belk.  "There are people operating in this industry without much knowledge about trucking operations and the many regulations.  They will not be able to influence change without knowledge."

Barbra Seals, owner of Brady's Transport Inc. in Darlington, SC, says, "People in our local transportation industry need as many resources as possible to get through these difficult economic conditions with rising fuel prices, increased insurance premiums, more government regulations, and hours of service changes."  She goes on to say, "If we can all share how we will survive, then we can help each other and our local economy."

The Pee Dee Transportation Association plans to have their first meeting at SiMT on the Florence-Darlington Technical College campus this Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 4:30 p.m.  So far there are over 20 area business leaders and community leaders planning to attend this first meeting.  "We have been slowly reaching out by phone and email to area companies, and the response has been very enthusiastic," says Veronica Harden of Harden Logistics Group.  "We have even invited city council members and economic development partnerships to be a part of this very important event.  We received confirmations of attendance from the Darlington County and Dillon County Economic Development Partnerships.  There will also be representatives from QVC, Honda, Unyson Logistics, Dilmar Oil, Baker Transportation, and many more at this initial meeting on Thursday.  You can view a complete list of current registrants at www.hardenlogistics.com.  Anyone interested in participating in this association should contact Veronica Harden at (843) 687-4681 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..