Order of the Palmetto: Denmark businessman honored for commitment to community

SouthernCarolina Alliance board member and Denmark businessman John W. “Johnny” Williamson III received the award recently at the alliance’s annual regional celebration held at the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie.

The award was presented for Williamson’s contributions to the state and, in particular, his role in economic development.

Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, and former S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges presented the award.

“It was a total surprise,” Williamson said about the honor.

Williamson said his family attended the event, but he didn’t know why.

“My wife said, ‘Be patient. You will find out,’” Williamson said.

Williamson received the award along with former Allendale County Councilman Carl Gooding, who was with Williamson at the founding of the alliance. Williamson and Gooding are the only two founding members of the alliance still active on the board.

“It has been a real success story,” Williamson said. “It is our people and the counties working with us.”

Williamson said he does not know where the counties of the alliance – which now includes Bamberg, Barnwell, Allendale, Hampton, Jasper, Colleton and Beaufort – would be without it.

“It has made a big difference,” he said.

The alliance had its origins in difficult times.

In the early 1970s, Snelling, S.C. was chosen as the site for the nation’s first plant to reprocess used nuclear fuel. It was to be situated next to the Savannah River Site.

The $360 million Allied-General Nuclear Services plant never started production, Williamson said. He noted President Jimmy Carter banned commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing to help curb the spread of plutonium, a byproduct of reprocessing and a component in nuclear bombs.

The plant shut down and, with it, about 20,000 jobs.

In 1994, SRS was downsizing and, to offset the expected job loss, Williamson joined with Allendale and Barnwell county council members to try to find a way to find other uses for the plant and its nearly 1,700 acres.

The Tri-County Alliance was started with some seed funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The DOE also loaned employee Danny Black to the alliance to help with the start-up. Now Black serves as the SouthernCarolina Alliance’s president and CEO.

At the time of its founding in 1995, only Bamberg, Barnwell and Allendale were a part of the alliance.

“We started out in a one-room office in the town square in Barnwell,” Williamson said.

The first company landed by the alliance was Kinsouth, a counter and sink manufacturer. The company located in Denmark.

In 1997, the alliance recruited Mid-Am Metal, Trident and International Fiberglass.

The alliance was then able to acquire the abandoned nuclear fuel processing plant and set it aside for economic development. The property is now an industrial park – South Carolina Advanced Technology Park.

Kronotex (Swiss Krono), which produces wood products, was the first big company to locate on the property.

“We started having some success,” Williamson said.

Since its founding in 1995, the SouthernCarolina Alliance has brought in $3.5 billion in investment and 13,000 jobs, Williamson said.

Just over the last four years since COVID, the alliance has helped bring in about $1.56 billion in investment and about 5,488 jobs into the seven-county region.

“Johnny Williamson III has played a crucial role in advancing economic development and industrial recruitment in our state, helping to improve the quality of life for countless South Carolinians and strengthening our economic landscape,” Gov. Henry McMaster said. “His leadership, combined with his commitment to his community and state, made him an ideal recipient for the Order of the Palmetto.”

The Order of the Palmetto was established by S.C. Gov. John C. West in 1971.

It is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a national or statewide scale.

Hutto and Black nominated Williamson for the award. Hutto serves on the alliance’s board and executive committee.

In his letter of support, Hutto touted Williamson’s role in economic development and environmental preservation efforts as a “unique combination of dedicated efforts.”

“Mr. Williamson’s role to recruit more than a dozen industry prospects … has had a direct positive impact on the lives of many South Carolinians,” Hutto wrote. “His career has been committed to economic growth projects in our area and across the state.”

Black wrote that Williamson’s efforts have “helped to shape the future of his county and the SCA region.”

Williamson graduated from Denmark-Olar High School. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

He’s president of Williamson Ginnery in Denmark and serves as chairman of Jackson Companies.

Jackson Companies owns Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Prestwick Golf & Country Club and Saybrook Village and Development. Williamson’s wife, Kathryn, and his four sister-in-laws are the owners of the company.

Williamson also served as president of Carolina Eastern-Williamson. He has also been involved with the South Carolina Landowners Association and the S.C. Sportsman’s Caucus Foundation.

He serves on the South Carolina Waterfowl Association, Nemours Wildlife Federation and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Advisory Team.

Williamson also served as an alligator control agent with SCDNR. His ability to trap alligators has earned him media attention and the nickname “Alligator Johnny.”

In the past he has served as managing partner of Lynchburg Grain; managing partner of Carolina Soya; chairman of the Palmetto Agribusiness Council; vice chairman of the S.C. Bio-mass Council; member of the executive committee of the S.C. Transportation and Policy Council; a member of the Congaree Land Trust Board; a member of the Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors; and a member of the Board of Directors of SouthState Bank and its predecessors.

He also was a member of Bamberg County Council from 1995 to 2005, having served as chair twice and served as a member of the Bamberg County Hospital Board from 1976 to 1986.

Through his past work with Carolina Soya and Ecogy Biofuels, Williamson helped create a market for local soybean producers while establishing the first operational, fully integrated biodiesel facility in the Southeastern United States.

Williamson remains actively engaged in exploration of cutting-edge technologies in other agricultural and alternative energy industry fields.

Williamson has continuously served on the board of directors and executive committee of the SouthernCarolina Regional Development Alliance in various roles, including as chairman.

During his time with the SouthernCarolina Alliance, Williamson has volunteered his time to meet with industrial prospects in recruitment efforts and played a critical role in creating the multi-county revenue sharing agreement among Bamberg, Barnwell, Allendale and Hampton counties.

His efforts have helped to recruit more than a dozen projects, including Kronotex (Swiss Krono) and Grant Forest products.

Williamson is married to Kathyrn “Kaki” and they have two children.

Williamson is a lifelong member of Bethel Park United Methodist Church and has been affiliated with the Beech Creek Hunt Club, Quality Deer Management Association and National Wild Turkey Federation.