Florence Wildcats Join Chamber

The Florence Wildcats organization, operating out of the Pearl Moore gymnasium on Barnes Street, celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting.  They were joined by chamber ambassadors at the event on Wednesday, April 28th.  The organization began playing in Florence in 2017 as a nonprofit.  Zach Alleyne, a founder and native of Florence, said it is an organization that has a minor league basketball team.

To read the full story, click here.

Leadership Florence Class Hosting A Supply Drive

Leadership Florence is Helping Florence Bounce Back! The Leadership Florence Class of 2021 is excited to kick off their class project “Helping Florence Bounce Back”, a multi-faceted fundraiser and supply drive which aims to support three local nonprofits this year for our class project: HopeHealth, The Manna House, and United Way of Florence County. We are hosting a supply drive to benefit these organizations through May 21st. All monetary and/or supply donations will help the community by assisting local children, adults and families. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Les Echols at lechols@flochamber.com.

To view the flyer, click here.

Beauty and Beyond Salon & Spa Holds Ribbon Cutting

Beauty and Beyond Salon and Spa held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 20th celebrating its opening and membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.  Co-owners Monaisha Gilmore and Christy Reed were joined by chamber ambassadors, family and friends for the occasion.  The full service salon opened in February at 797 N. Cashua Dr. in Florence. The partners operate the business by themselves at this time. More staff will be hired later.  Beauty and Beyond offers an array of services including natural hair styling, blowouts, wraps, hair extensions, relaxers, hair color, waxing, nails, makeup, body contouring, lashes and brows.

To read the full story, click here.

Chamber hosts Administrative Professional Day Luncheon on Wednesday, April 21st

More than 235 people attended the Chamber’s Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon at Florence Center on Wednesday, April 21st. The event included an expo where guests learned about participating businesses’ services, were treated to token gifts and even had their photos taken. Local businesses offered 75 different prize drawings throughout the luncheon program. Guest speaker Gina Trimarco said she wanted to give a motivational and uplifting speech, because that is what everyone needs. Her topic was “Oh Yes She Did” but is really “Oh Yes She Can.”

To read the full story, click here.

RedWolves’ New Home Will Be Carolina Bank Field

The Florence RedWolves and Carolina Bank jointly announced a 10-year partnership Tuesday, April 13th for the naming rights of the new stadium at the Florence Sports Complex, which will be known as Carolina Bank Field.  Additionally, Carolina Bank will serve as the presenting partner of the RedWolves’ upcoming season, the Coastal Plain League team’s final one, at Francis Marion University’s Sparrow Stadium.  The stadium will be the centerpiece of a new $16 million city of Florence sports complex that is under construction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new complex on March 22.

To read the full story, click here.

Name for Darlington’s May 9th Cup Race is Goodyear 400

Darlington Raceway and Goodyear announce a partnership on the entitlement of the spring NASCAR Cup Series race as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR on May 9. The official name of the race will be the Goodyear 400. “Goodyear is one of the most iconic brands in the history of motorsports, so we are proud to welcome them back to Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400,” said Darlington President Kerry Tharp. “Goodyear has been a part of many monumental moments in Darlington Raceway’s storied history. We look forward to writing a new chapter with Goodyear as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.” Goodyear has a rich history at Darlington Raceway as it conducted its first official NASCAR tire tests at the track in 1954 and earned its first NASCAR victory in the 1959 Southern 500® with driver Jim Reed.

To read the full story, click here.

Two Companies Looking to Invest and Bring 329 Jobs to Florence County

Two companies are looking to invest a combined $46 million in Florence County.  The Florence County Council voted unanimously Thursday morning to approve on second readings ordinances authorizing a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with “Project Ice,” and held the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with “Project Jam.”  The council also unanimously approved an ordinance adding the Project Ice property into a joint county industrial park between Florence and Marion counties and resolutions providing for fee agreements with both companies.

To read the full story, click here.

Leon Holden Named Chamber Ambassador of the Year

For the second year in a row, Leon Holden has earned the title of Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year. He was presented a plaque, $100 gift card and a crown on Wednesday, April 14th at a luncheon at Hyatt Place in downtown Florence.  “The ambassador is chosen by accumulation of points for showing up to ribbon cuttings, volunteering to help for chamber events, recruiting new members to the chamber, attending Business After Hours events and the like,” said Jay Lavrinc, Director of Membership Relations for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. “Each item is worth various points that are tallied monthly and totaled yearly.”  Holden accumulated 1,240 points for the calendar year of 2020.

To read the full story, click here.

K & J Cleaning and Janitorial Services Celebrates Chamber Membership with Ribbon Cutting

A ribbon cutting was held on Monday, April 12th at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce celebrating the new membership of K & J Cleaning and Janitorial Services in the Chamber. Chamber Ambassadors joined Kelvia Baccus, the K & J owner, as she cut the ribbon. She was also joined by her husband, Jonathan, and other family members.  K & J Cleaning and Janitorial Services has been in business for more than 10 years and is at 1708 Furman Drive in Florence.  “We service the entire Pee Dee area,” Baccus said. “We specialize in cleaning commercial and residential properties and offer full-service cleaning.”

To read the full story, click here.

LilJazZi`s Cafe Celebrates Chamber Membership with Ribbon Cutting

LilJazZi`s Cafe held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 7th celebrating its membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. The Dargan Street café opened in January. Owner Andrena Mullins cut the ribbon surrounded by family and Chamber Ambassadors.  The café is at 163 N. Dargan St. and serves breakfast and lunch.  Mullins also operates a café by the same name at the Florence Regional Airport that is temporarily closed during COVID. She said that location will open back up in May.

To read the full story, click here.