Leadership Florence “Kickball for a Cause” Fundraiser

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Our Kickball for a Cause event is just around the corner, and we would be honored to have you involved! One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event will benefit six local nonprofit organizations, Harvest Hope, House of Hope, Lydia’s Nest, NCNW, Pee Dee Coalition, and United Way. This philanthropic event is not only a chance for our community to participate a healthy, fun activity, but it will also have broad-reaching benefits for these worthy nonprofit organizations.

Kickball for a Cause will be held on Dailey Field at Florence Darlington Technical College on Saturday, May 21, 2022, and we hope that you will consider showing your or your company’s support for such a deserving cause. To this end, we welcome contributions in the form of event sponsorships or donations.
Please find sponsorship information enclosed. There is no better way to promote your business and philanthropic efforts than by donating to Kickball for a Cause.

If you would like to show your support, please contact your representative from the Leadership Florence Class of 2022 for more information on sponsoring or donating.

Thank you in advance!
Leadership Florence Class of 2022

To view the sponsorship form, click here.

Junior Leadership Florence Visits Columbia for State Government Session

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On Tuesday, March 8th, the Junior Leadership Florence County Class attended their State Government Session in Columbia for the SC 4-H Legislative Day. Special thanks to Mr. Sym Singh, Director of Legislative Affairs for speaking with the group and giving them a tour of the Governor’s Office and to Lieutenant Governor Evette for sharing inspirational words with our members.

To see photos from the session, click here.

Fellows in Education Visit Dewey L Carter Elementary

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Dewey L Carter Elementary School played host to the latest gathering of the 2021-2022 Fellows in Education participants on Tuesday, March 8th. School Principal, Mrs. Wendy Frazier explained the focus of the school and the programs motto, which is “Our School is a Family. We strive to be: Committed to Safety, Responsible Learners, and Respectful to One Another Each Day. The Fellows participants toured the school with help for the school’s staff and witnessed classroom instructions in grades K-6.

The Fellows in Education program is designed to give community leaders a unique, behind-the-scenes look into several schools within Florence 1 School system. It is partnership program managed by Florence 1 Schools, The School Foundation and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

To see photos from the session, click here.

LilJazzi’s Awarded “Business of the Quarter” by the City of Florence & the Florence Chamber of Commerce

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Florence City Councilman Chaquez McCall presented Andrena Mullins of LilJazzi’s in Downtown Florence with a resolution to honor the restaurant Monday afternoon at the Florence City Council meeting. The presentation was for the support in helping grow downtown Florence.

The Downtown Business if the Quarter presentation is sponsored by the city of Florence and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Included in the picture are Mullins’ husband as well as Les Echols and Michael Miller of the Chamber of Commerce.

ChamberLink Radio Made Its Debut Yesterday on Live 95.3 FM

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Tune in to ChamberLink Radio every Sunday from 12:00pm-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM. Each week this program will showcase area chamber businesses and explore their goals in serving the Pee Dee Region. Conversation will also include business programing efforts and other community projects. For more information about the weekly radio program, contact the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515.

Darlington Raceway to Host a “Behind the Scenes” Business After Hours

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The Florence Chamber invites you to join us for an after-hours event hosted by Darlington Raceway. Come out on Wednesday, April 13th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. located at 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy in Darlington for great food, drinks, networking and a behind the scenes look!  Be sure to bring lots of business cards! RSVP by calling the Chamber at (843) 665-0515 or by clicking here.

Leadership Florence Class Participates in Education Day

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Leadership Florence had its March session (Education Day) on Tuesday, March 8th. The group visited Florence-Darlington Technical College and Luther F. Carter Center for Health Sciences.

The class also got to hear from and visit many of the many educational institutions in our community. The day included presentations from: TKA, Poynor Adult and Community Education, Trinity Collegiate School, SC Florence One Schools, Coker University and the Department of Commerce.

An additional thank you goes to Florence-Darlington Technical College for providing breakfast for the group.

To see pics from the session, click here.

Joe King Announced as the 2022 Public Servant of the Year at the Chamber’s Outlook Luncheon

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Joe W. King received the Public Servant of the Year Award presented at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Outlook Luncheon on Wednesday, March 16th at the Florence Center for his service to the community.

King is Executive Director of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership.

“Joe’s tireless dedication to Florence County for over four decades has changed the landscape of the County as we know it,” said Dr. Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University.

King said the award came as a shock.

“It is a very humbling feeling,” he said. “I am very honored and thankful for Dr. Carter and the Chamber.”

To read the full article, click here.

Diana Murphy-Eaddy Announced as the Recipient of the Chamber’s 2022 Small Business Person of the Year Award

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Diana Murphy-Eaddy, owner and publisher of Diversity Works, a quarterly magazine promoting diversity in the community, received the 2022 Small Business Person of the Year award on Wednesday at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Annual Outlook Luncheon held at the Florence Center.

The award, presented annually, is sponsored by Dedicated Community Bank and given by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Ivey, President and CEO of Dedicated Community Bank, made the presentation. He said the bank recognizes that small businesses are the engines of the local, state, and national economy.

To read the full article, click here.

Maceo Nance Addresses Sold Out Crowd at Chamber’s Outlook Luncheon

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A South Carolina Department of Commerce official said Florence County’s decision to issue bonds to purchase land and develop four spec buildings in the county will help the county attract additional economic development opportunities.

Maceo Nance, director of targeted rural strategy and special projects for the department, told the people attending the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Outlook Luncheon that companies looking to grow were looking first at three factors: risk, time and speed. More than 425 local business and community leaders attended the Luncheon.

“Companies are risk averse and they are going to eliminate as much risk as they can,” Nance said. “Time here may be a little bit different from the time that you have in your mind. From a company’s standpoint, time means going from spending money to making money… Speed is speed to market. How quickly can we get this product to our suppliers, to our customers and can we beat the competition in getting it there?”

Florence County is already well positioned, according to Nance’s definition of speed. The county lies at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 95, which provide easy access to the Southern United States and the Eastern Seaboard and nearby are the port facilities in Charleston, Dillon and Georgetown. Also, three major airports, in addition to the Florence Regional Airport, are located within two hours: Charlotte, Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

Nance delivered the address Wednesday in place of Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey III who was called to testify before the South Carolina General Assembly.

To read the full article, click here.