July 27, 2007
Travel center project could mean 75-100 jobs; Arby's

By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff Writer

The owner of the Henry's Southern Oil Co. Service Center has purchased property at Cannon Bridge Road and Old Edisto Drive as the site for a travel center and restaurants.

Henry Goodwin, owner of SOC gasoline station on U.S. 301 South/Old Edisto Drive, will develop Henry's Travel Center, an Arby's Restaurant and Hungry Henry's Roadside Cafe.

The $6.7 million travel center, which will occupy 6.5 acres adjacent to Mid-State Homes of Orangeburg and The Kuckery Restaurant, is projected to bring 75 to 100 new jobs. The jobs will pay above the minimum wage.

The travel center, which will be open 24 hours/7 days a week, will include large fueling capabilities, Wi-Fi wireless networking, a satellite sheriff's office, a Western Union and a truckers' section for special needs including shower access, a lounge and CAT scales for weighing cargo,

The center will offer every grade of fuel including E-85, low sulfur, off-road and various blends of bio-diesel. The fuel supplier will be Marathon Oil Co.

Goodwin will be a franchisee of Arby's Restaurant. Hungry Henry's Roadside Cafe will serve traditional local cuisine such as fried chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizzas.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday morning at the site. The clearing of the land began earlier this week.

The travel center is projected to be operational by the end of the year. O'Cain Construction is the project contractor.

Goodwin says he has been thinking about the development of a travel center for many years but it was not possible because of his inability to purchase land.

"There are not enough truck stops to service the needs of the truckers, not only in Orangeburg but all throughout the United States," Goodwin said. "There is a shortage, and my goal is to fit that need."

Goodwin purchased the property from Mid-State Homes owner Leonard Sanford in September 2006.

"I have owned that property for a long, long time," Sanford said. "I have been in the mobile home business here for 43 years, and it is not quite as good as it used to be. I don't need it all, and he wanted it."

"A lot of people are glad to see something happening on this side of the river," Goodwin said, adding that the sewer capacity on Edisto Drive has made the project possible. "I hope it will kick-start this area and bring more development."

Goodwin has also agreed to develop a stand-alone Arby's Restaurant elsewhere in the county upon the purchase of land for the site.

Goodwin has been in business since 1965. His service station employs about 40.

Gregg Robinson, Orangeburg County Development Commission executive director, said the travel center will serve as the "gateway to the western end of Orangeburg County."

Currently the U.S. 301 corridor handles about 27,000 cars and 22,000 trucks a day, he said, with Cannon Bridge Road serving about 6,600 vehicles daily.

"It is adding value to the Global Logistics Triangle by creating services that you can offer to the trucker as well as customers in our area," Robinson said. "He (Goodwin) is capturing the market."

Robinson said the travel center is a significant project that will entail a number of engineering and environmental issues requiring the assistance of the OCDC.

"Travel centers are bigger than just a gas station," he said, adding that not only will the center be a hub for truckers but with the county's directive to tap into the alternative fuel market, the center will help fill this need. "We don't have those stations in the area. It is a much needed facility."

Robinson said an incentive package is part of the deal, but he added that he could not disclose the nature of the incentives.

"It is performance based," he said. "The fact is that, as far as capital investment, this exceeds some manufacturing facilities in its impact to the county."

Orangeburg County Chairman Harry Wimberly said the facility is a significant asset to the county.

"This travel center is a much needed facility on the southwestern side of Orangeburg County and will provide a valuable resource for the trucking industry and the tourists traveling the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor," he said.

Orangeburg County Councilman Clyde Livingston, whose district includes Edisto Drive, has pushed for the funding for the sewer project and for area road improvements on the Edisto Drive area. He cited the project as a significant contributor to the travel center's arrival.

"Henry's Travel Center is another result of Orangeburg County being able to get sewer west of the Edisto Drive," Livingston said. "This proves much can be done when the infrastructure is in place."

Orangeburg County Administrator Bill Clark said the travel center's fuel capabilities coincides with the county's move to make its fleet alternative fuel friendly as well as being a general boon to this area of the county.

"I think it will be something that will spin off and maybe become the cornerstone of a host of other new developments that will cross the river," Clark said. "There is a potential for other things to happen over there. I don't see anything but a host of upsides to Mr. Goodwin's project. It is nice when someone is already established in the county to take it a big step forward."

David Coleman, Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce president, said Goodwin's development plans will cater to truckers who use U.S. 301 as a major route to Interstate 20.

"I am confident that customers will receive the same high level of customer service that they have received at Goodwin's other businesses," he said.

Arby's officials expressed excitement about Goodwin's plans.

"We are pleased with the number of development agreements we attracted in 2006," said Tom Garrett, president and COO, Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. "Our existing franchisees continue to expand their Arby's portfolios because they believe in the brand, and we're seeing new franchisees who recognize that Arby's is truly a one-of-a-kind concept."