Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments Presents End-of-Year Summary for Fiscal Year 2025-2026

On June 15, 2026, the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments' board of directors held its final meeting for Fiscal Year 25-26. At the meeting, Executive Director Joette Dukes presented an end-of the year summary, highlighting the work of the Pee Dee COG Team.

PEE DEE COG END OF YEAR SUMMARY 2025-2026

Accomplishments:

• Managed 105 Open Projects that provided nearly $135 million in funding to local governments in the Pee Dee Region

• Managed Community Development Block Grant Funding for 20 of our 39 local governments

• With regional partners, supported 6 SC Works Centers/Connection points, with over 1 million services provided to jobseekers and businesses

• Key positions, including a finance director position, were filled. No positions presently vacant.

• Employee Lunch & Learn activities were implemented

• Numerous capital projects, to include replacement of the roof, tree removal, HVAC replacement, and parking lot resurfacing, were completed

• The organization's social media presence was established

• The Executive Director began Road Tour Part II and has attended the council meetings of 17 of 39 local governments

Awards and Recognitions:

• Coffee with the COG Quarterly Networking Event received an Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

• The Pee Dee Workforce Development Board received recognition as a High-Performing Workforce Board by the State of South Carolina's Workforce Development Board

Project Highlights:

• Completion of project funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to renovate Winn Dixie in Bennettsville to convert it to a workforce training center. The SC Works Bennettsville Center is co-located in the newly renovated space.

• Completion of a project jointly funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) to repurpose space previously occupied by a warehouse in Downtown Dillon, making it a pop-up farmer's market and a venue for community events.

• With community partners, implemented Pathways 2026, an interactive, regional, career exploration event for 8th grade students. About 2,000 students attended the event.

For details regarding projects by department and funding source, click here.