Fujifilm expansion to add 185 jobs
July 23, 2009
FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced that Fujifilm’s primary US manufacturing and distribution complex, located in Greenwood, SC, will serve as home to a new, state-of-the-art digital print services and fulfillment operation. The company will soon begin modification of facilities at its 500-acre Greenwood campus to accommodate what is today the largest photo products fulfillment organization in the country. Fujifilm Printing Services supports many of the country’s leading retail stores and online photo web sites, and serves consumers directly through its FUJIFILM SeeHere.com photo web site.
“In response to the rapid growth of the personal photo products market, we’re designing the new Fujifilm Greenwood lab from the outset with digital fulfillment as its primary purpose,” said John Prendergast, Vice President, Printing Services Group, FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. “We will begin operations in the fall of 2009 initially producing personal photo gifts for both retail delivery and direct mail to consumers.” Over time, the lab will expand its digital products and services as the market continues to grow.
“Greenwood offers a number of advantages,” said Shin Kataoka, President of FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc., and head of operations at Greenwood. “Its central location and proximity to raw materials will enhance efficiencies. In addition, Fujifilm is already a well-established corporate citizen in South Carolina and has become a model of sustainability for our company globally.” Fujifilm’s Greenwood complex is the largest Fujifilm manufacturing operation in the country and the largest Fujifilm distribution center in the world. When fully staffed, the new lab is expected to bring up to 185 full-time positions to Greenwood.
“Fujifilm is a world-class company with a strong history of in South Carolina. Their decision to expand operations and establish the country’s largest photo products fulfillment organization in Greenwood is an extraordinary testament to our state’s skilled workforce, business-friendly climate and market access. These factors are working to help our existing businesses grow and be more competitive in today’s challenging economy. We congratulate Fujifilm on their growth in South Carolina and wish them continued success in their endeavors here,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“The Partnership Alliance is committed to working with new and existing industries to look for opportunities of growth,” said Thornwell Dunlap, Board Chairman of Partnership Alliance. “I am confident that Fujifilm will enjoy continued success in Greenwood County.”
“Fujifilm continues to show its commitment to Greenwood,” said Robbie Templeton, Greenwood County Council Chairman. “The new jobs and expansion being announced today is a testament to the skilled workforce and business climate of Greenwood County that continues to foster growth and expansion.”
In recent years Fujifilm has consolidated its photo processing operation to better serve the changing needs of its customers in the shift from analog to digital imaging. The creation of this new lab, focused on digital fulfillment and located in a well-established Fujifilm community, emphasizes Fujifilm’s commitment to the photo printing and fulfillment business and to continuing to invest in the technology and infrastructure necessary to serve the changing needs of this market in the future.
Hundreds come out for Maxwell Avenue Ribbon cutting
July 13, 2009
By CHRIS TRAINOR/ ctrainor@indexjournal.com
A great amount of work, time and money has gone into transforming Maxwell Avenue from a crumbling, blighted back street into a remodeled, inviting and business-ready thoroughfare.
On Thursday, the city celebrated the revitalization, as more than 200 people crammed into Mays Reception Hall at the Federal Building for a program touting the reopening of Maxwell, which has seen massive streetscape and facade improvements in the last year.
Assistant city manager Charlie Barrineau discussed the Maxwell revitalization, which coincides with a similar project that transformed Oregon Avenue and compliments the numerous upgrades made to the Federal Building, Greenwood Community Theatre and The Museum.
Barrineau said growth has already been spurred by Uptown improvements.
“I think people that have not really been in Uptown in the last two years still say, ‘Uptown is dead,’” Barrineau said. “Folks, our downtown is not dead. We have so much to be thankful for. Over the last two years, since we started this process, we have had 17 retail or restaurant establishments either upgrade or move into our downtown.
“That is outstanding. We need to be so happy for all they’ve given us and support them.”
Maceo Nance, of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, addressed the crowd about the importance of a vibrant city center.
“(Progress in Uptown) cannot stop with what is already here,” Nance said. “These folks have invested a lot. They are involved with this program. The only way they can make it work is with your support. Those people you know who live in Greenwood, who come to visit Greenwood, get them into Uptown.
“Get them to spend money here. Get them to spend time Uptown. Let’s make Uptown Greenwood a destination, rather than some place you just happen to be passing through.”
S.C. Sen. Floyd Nicholson, who was mayor of Greenwood when the Maxwell updates began, said he is pleased with the work.
“Throughout my entire involvement with politics in Greenwood, there is one thing I’ve always said: If you are going to have a vibrant community, you have to have a vibrant Uptown,” the senator said. “You cannot let everything leave and go out on the bypass on the outskirts of town. You’ve got to have that vibrant Uptown. When we started planning and came up with the (city center) masterplan, a lot of people said it would never happen.
“We can see now that the dream has become a reality. That’s why we are here celebrating (Thursday).”
Following the program, Mayor Welborn Adams lauded the direction Uptown Greenwood is taking.
“This project means a lot to a lot of people,” the mayor said. “The number of people who showed up today reveals how important this is to our community. People can see that. I feel like, in spite of the economic times that we’ve been through, it is all coming together.
“We are on the cusp of taking Greenwood from a small town to a thriving city. I think we are going to see more and more retail Uptown.”
Barrineau said he originally expected 50 people to attend Friday’s program, which included the presentation at the Federal Building and a ribbon cutting on Maxwell near E.S. Moon’s Martial Arts. He was floored when he saw the standing-room-only crowd in the Mays Reception Hall.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Barrineau said, smiling. “I thought we’d have 60 people, tops. I think it just shows how much this community loves the downtown and believes in what we are doing. It takes everybody holding hands to make it happen.”
Greenwood City Council approved the expenditure of nearly $1 million for the Maxwell streetscape project, a venture that was similar to the one that transformed the adjoining Oregon Avenue.
Barrineau said an estimated $320,000 for the streetscape project came from a S.C. Department of Commerce Rural Opportunity Investment grant, with the balance paid for through hospitality taxes.
Self Regional Healthcare physician named 1 of top 10 in country
July 1, 2009
A physician in Self Regional Healthcare’s family medicine residency program at Montgomery Center for Family Medicine has been selected one of the nation’s top 10 residents by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Christy Cavanagh, currently entering her third year in the program and co-chief resident for the coming year, will receive the AAFP/Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education. Not only is she one of just ten nationwide to earn the honor, but she is also the only resident from the AAFP’s southern region to receive the honor.
Dr. Gary A. Goforth, Director of Medical Education at Self Regional, described the award-winning physician as “remarkable.” She consistently provides exemplary patient care, he explained, and has received numerous written and verbal commendations from her patients concerning her interpersonal and academic skills.
“Our faculty members have recognized Dr. Cavanagh’s strong interpersonal skills, diagnostic skills and skilled care of patients on our very busy inpatient medicine, pediatric and obstetrics services,” Dr. Goforth noted. “When patients are admitted, she develops a superb plan and always follows through.”
Consulting physicians regularly cite Dr. Cavanagh for her excellent medical care and utilization of specialty consultations, he added. She was also cited for giving back to her community, serving frequently at the Greater Greenwood United Ministry Free Medical Clinic as well as a volunteer physician on a medical mission trip to Peru this past spring.
Dr. Cavanagh and the other nine winners of the award were selected based on their leadership, community involvement, exemplary patient care and interpersonal relationships, according to AAFP officials.
A member of the local residency program since 2007, Dr. Cavanagh earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and later graduated from the University of Florida Medical School.
“I chose to complete my family medicine training at Self Regional Healthcare because it is one of the top residencies in the country,” Dr. Cavanagh said. “This award is a reflection on the strength of the program and the support of the Greenwood community. I am honored to represent our residency program and hospital in this way.”
Dr. Cavanagh becomes the seventh resident in the history of the Montgomery Center for Family Medicine program to receive the Excellence in Graduate Medical Education Award. The honor entitles her to a cash prize of $1,000. She also receives airfare, lodging and registration at the AAFP Scientific Assembly in Boston, Mass. in October.
