News & Updates

What the Buzz Is All About

News Release

Submitted By: Arnold Fields Community Endowment

Post Office Box 817 / Hampton, SC 29924

Telephone Number: 803-842-5597

Why is the old Armory worth saving?

Nestled among pine trees on the corner of Hoover Street and Jackson Avenue just west of downtown Hampton is a unique remnant spanning an 80-year gap between distinct eras. Referred to many locals as the “Old National Guard Armory,” this building now owned by the county like many others have been around forever. Built circa 1940 with state and federal funding as a small military facility and storehouse, it was a fortress in appearance and construction. For better or worse, depending on one’s appreciation for garrison-style architecture, it was likely the most prominent or at least intriguing building in town when the doors swung open.

“Architecturally, the Armory is significant because it has the distinctive garrison-style design,” says Sam Crews, Arnold Fields Community Endowment Board Member. “To me, it’s one of Hampton County’s great landmark structures.”

Though the Armory is not currently being used by the county (other than storage) because of its present condition, it had served (temporarily) multiple educational purposes for several years when the property was deeded to Hampton County School District 1 by the county.

So why does the Armory still have awe about itself at the mere mention of its name? Much of it has to do with memories. They are memories that center not much on the wood and masonry structure itself, but on the people, who have filled its halls.

Betty Ruth Crews, Retired Public School Educator, is fond of offering a simple yet powerful reply whenever she’s asked why it’s worthwhile for the county to save and preserve many of its older buildings. “The reason it’s worthwhile to save old buildings,” Crews says, “is to save the stories they can tell us.”

Because of its multi-use capabilities, the Armory gradually morphed from a strictly military site to become a prominent social one, too: In the decades after its construction, it went on to host dances, plays, and concerts. In short, the Armory had been an iconic location with more than its share of cultural icons inside it.

The sentiment to save the old Armory, it is quickly replaced by the realities of the expense of doing so. Even though Hampton County Council prides itself on historic preservation, there has been a groundswell of support to save the Armory, as there was to restore the Stanley Building, Palmetto Theater, and Parker Building. All which graces the scenery of downtown Hampton.

“We, as a council, clearly understand that this is your community and your armory,” says Charles “Buddy” Phillips, Hampton County Councilman. “Sometimes the question is brought up: Why should we maintain this old building?” The Armory, he says, isn’t just an old building. It is a civic mirror. The Armory is about people; the people during the 1940s who built this Armory. They put their labor into it. The Armory was their vision of their need at that time. Looking back, we can see what the people back then were thinking and compare it to what we’re thinking about today. To me, that’s worthwhile.”

In the past two decades, as newer structures are replacing most old armory buildings across the country, significant decisions loomed, especially for those still in public ownership: Do these relics serve a modern-day purpose beyond their history? Are they worth saving? At what cost, and from whose pocket?

Both the building and its stories are worth saving.

Billy Sanford, Ret. SGM states the Armory’s bulky size is “the biggest positive because that opens up so many possibilities, but also the biggest negative” to revive it.

“When you have something that huge that has been unoccupied for so long,” Sanford says, “it will naturally need a lot of work to be ready for adaptive reuse.”

Giving the real and daunting challenges that would be part of trying to revive the Armory, the logical question must be asked: Is it realistic to think that it actually can be brought back to life?

“Sure, why not?” says Charlie A. Grant, Jr., founder of Arnold Fields Community Endowment. “It’s very realistic,” Grant says of a potential Armory rebirth. “It will take work and investment. But absolutely, the opportunity for adaptive reuses is there.”

Still, for now anyway, our Armory continues to sit silent and dormant. “It’s too bad because it has so much charisma,” says Isaac Smith, former Hampton County Councilman. “We just have to find some way to give it a chance to display an appeal suitable for this modern-day era.”

Agriculture Technology Campus

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

September 2, 2020
For immediate release
Contact: Brian Symmes, 803-673-9437
BSymmes@governor.sc.gov

Agriculture Technology Campus Establishing 1,000-acre Operation in Hampton County
Combined $314 Million Investment to Create More Than 1,500 Jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Agriculture Technology Campus, a joint venture project between Mastronardi, Clear Water Farms, LiDestri Food and Drink and GEM Opportunity Zone Fund, announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art 1,000-acre agriculture technology campus in Hampton County. The combined $314 million investment is expected to create more than 1,500 new jobs over the next five years.

The Agriculture Technology Campus will include greenhouses for locally grown, pesticide-free tomatoes, leafy greens, blueberries and other produce; a 150,000-square-foot distribution center; and a co-packing facility. This announcement marks one of the largest agriculture investments in South Carolina history.

LiDestri Food and Drink, a leading food, beverage and spirits co-packing company, will lead the co-packing facility. This facility will allow both campus growers and other South Carolina farmers to process produce, making items such as salsa, pesto and other products. LiDestri Food and Drink will handle the processing, packaging, shipping and logistical needs for the Agriculture Technology Campus.

This controlled environment food production model helps meet the demand of grocery chains and consumers for fresh and reliable produce. The model of growing and sourcing locally grown foods helps ensure food supply chain security, which has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and minimizes operating expenses through co-location.

The operations will be located at the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus within an Opportunity Zone – a program created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which encourages economic development and job creation in economically distressed communities.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development (CCED) approved job development credits related to the Agriculture Technology Campus. The CCED also approved a $7 million Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant to Hampton County to assist with costs related to this project.

Related to LiDestri Food and Drink, the CCED approved job development credits and a $1 million RIF grant to Hampton County.

The campus is expected to be operational in 2022 with full operation expected by 2025. Individuals interested in joining the Agriculture Technology Campus or LiDestri Food and Drink team should visit https://www.agtechcampus.com/.

QUOTES

“This future-focused partnership will continue the strong agricultural legacy in Hampton County. The Agriculture Technology Campus will use recycled rainwater to irrigate our greenhouses and provide all Carolina farmers access to our state-of-the-art co-packing facility. This helps pave the way for citizens to visit their local grocery stores, where they will be able to purchase pesticide-free, locally grown produce. I am thrilled to be part of this innovative group looking to grow high-quality agriculture across this great state.” -GEM Opportunity Zone Fund CEO Zeb Portanova

“Mastronardi is a family-owned business that pioneered the commercial greenhouse industry in North America in the 1940s, and today, we are the largest vegetable greenhouse operator on the continent with more than 5,000 acres of controlled environment productive growing capacity. The prospect of partnering with the GEM Opportunity Zone Fund, Clear Water Farms and LiDestri Food and Drink to create a state-of-the-art agricultural campus is exciting for our company and for the entire industry.” -Sunset Grown VP and General Counsel David Einstandig

“The opportunity to bring jobs, fresh produce and investment to rural South Carolina, while partnering with some of the best companies in locally grown produce, is very exciting. We are thrilled to be part of this partnership and look forward to the opportunities the co-packing facility will bring to the local community. The innovation and vision of our partners will positively affect the South Carolina agriculture industry for decades to come.” -LiDestri Food and Drink CEO Stefani LiDestri

“Clear Water Farms values their strong relationship with Mastronardi and the Sunset brands. We are excited to bring locally grown, pesticide-free leafy greens like lettuce, arugula and basil to over 50 million Americans throughout the Southeast. Now, with this Agriculture Technology Campus, we are excited to bring the art of growing, co-packing and distribution together and make South Carolina a leader in Controlled Environment Agriculture.” -Clear Water Farms CEO Jim Campbell

“Every job created in a rural community affects a family and improves their quality of life. Today’s announcement that the Agriculture Technology Campus and LiDestri Food and Drink are locating in Hampton County is a tremendous win for the local community and our state as a whole. Congratulations on these expansive operations, and we look forward to their growth in the years to come.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“Agribusiness is a true homegrown industry in South Carolina. We are thrilled to welcome the Agriculture Technology Campus and LiDestri Food and Drink to Hampton County as they join our state’s growing network of agribusiness-related companies and suppliers. This combined $314 million investment and the more than 1,500 jobs it will bring to one of our rural communities will make a significant economic impact throughout our state.” -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“The Agriculture Technology Campus’ investment in South Carolina agriculture is transformative, creating jobs in the Hampton County region and future opportunities for South Carolina farmers. A Controlled Environment Agriculture project of this scale will conserve land and water and offer South Carolinians more chances to buy local produce grown here in the state.” -Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers

“The Agriculture Technology Campus is a ‘game changer’ for Hampton County, and we thank them for investing in our people. Hampton County will continue to take an aggressive approach to creating the best business environment for companies like the Agriculture Technology Campus, and we value our economic development partnership with SouthernCarolina Alliance, the SC Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture. This is what it’s all about – good jobs and a better quality of life.” -Hampton County Council Chairman Clay Bishop

“It is a great day in Hampton County! The Hampton County economic development team, through the Hampton County Economic Development Commission and SouthernCarolina Alliance, has worked for many years to bring a project of this size to Hampton County, and more than 1,500 jobs and $314 million in investment brings much needed growth to our county. We want to welcome the Agriculture Technology Campus to Hampton County and look forward to working with the company to bring a brighter future to our citizens.” -Hampton County Economic Development Commission Chairman Bill Hager

“The Agriculture Technology Campus is a tremendous project that will have a huge impact on our region because of the sheer number of jobs and investment. We are equally excited about the partnership that made the Agriculture Technology Campus possible. These are fine companies that have global reach and are utilizing state-of-the-art technology in growing, processing and distributing. We believe this project will lead to many additional opportunities for our region in terms of research and development, as well as processing, manufacturing and distribution.” -SouthernCarolina Alliance Chairman Marty Sauls

FIVE FAST FACTS

Agriculture Technology Campus is establishing a 1,000-acre operation in Hampton County, S.C.
Combined $314 million investment will create more than 1,500 new jobs over the next five years.
The Agriculture Technology Campus is a joint venture project between Mastronardi, Clear Water Farms, LiDestri Food and Drink and GEM Opportunity Zone Fund.
The campus will serve as a large-scale operation that includes greenhouses for locally grown, pesticide-free tomatoes, leafy greens, blueberries and other produce. Additionally, LiDestri Food and Drink team members will be housed within the campus and manage the food processing facility that uses produce from the greenhouses to make salsa, pesto and other products.
Located at the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus within an Opportunity Zone.

News: Press