QVC Hosts Facility Tour

/in , , /by

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce organized an industry tour through the QVC distribution facility in Florence on Monday, March 6th. The QVC operation is a world leader in video retail across broadcast, streaming, mobile and social platforms bringing together large audiences for thousands of brand vendors throughout the world.

Matt Rider & Tim Wimbush of QVC provided the guided tour through the large distribution facility. Attending the visit was US Congressman Russell Fry, Assistant Jason Freer, SC Senator Michael Reichenbach, Charisse Reichenbach, Dr. Jermaine Ford, President of Florence-Darlington Technical College and Michael Miller, President of the Greater Florence Chamber.

HopeHealth Hosts Streater Building Dedication

/in , , /by

On February 27, HopeHealth hosted a dedication ceremony for the Streater Building project at The Hyatt Place Florence/Downtown. The event featured refreshments from local Black-owned businesses and provided an overview of the Streater Building’s future focused on serving seniors, Veterans, and Black men in the community.

The Streater Building is an important African American architectural landmark of the downtown business district in Florence, dating back to at least 1904 when General Armstrong Streater owned and operated a small mercantile business and grocery store out of the building. HopeHealth purchased the building, located at the corner of Dargan and Darlington Street and across from Sav-a-Lot, in 2018 to utilize it as a place to provide value-based community services outside of the traditional scope of health care.

Upon completion of its revitalization, this HopeHealth project will help strengthen community engagement and work to decrease barriers to care by enhancing the availability and accessibility of health programs.

Honda In The Top 8 For Coolest Thing Made In South Carolina Contest

/in , , /by

Our Honda operations here in the Pee Dee is now in the Top 8 for The Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina contest.

After starting with 246 statewide nominations, they are down to just 8 products competing to win this year’s Manufacturing Madness contest, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Vote today and every day through March 16th for Honda South Carolina Manufacturing and their Side-by-side vehicles for the #CoolestThingMadeInSC.

Mark Your Calendar for CAPES for Kids – Saturday, May 6th

/in , , /by

CAPES For Kids is an annual 5K/10K & Fun Run, held in honor of a 3-year old Carver Elementary School student, who lost her life due to physical abuse and neglect in 2011. Formerly known as the Carver C.A.P. Run, this event strives to honor her life, and the lives of children like her, while also raising awareness and support for victims of child abuse in our local community. Proceeds benefit the mission of the CARE House of the Pee Dee in promoting help, hope and healing for child abuse victim and their families.

This family-friendly event includes activities for children such as inflatables, a superhero themed costume contest and more!

For more information, click here.

Consistently HR To Host Online Workshop

/in , , /by

Join DaShonda Foxworth on Saturday, March 25th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM for an online workshop titled “How to Ace the Interview”.  Get that dream job!!! 20-minute training and 15-minute mock session. Learn how to answer most common interview questions.

For more information, click here.

Downtown Florence Selected As Semifinalist For Great American Main Street Award

/in , , /by

Downtown Florence has been selected as a semifinalist for the Great American Main Street Award from Main Street America for the second consecutive year!

Downtown Florence is one of eight organizations from across the country in the running for this prestigious award, which recognizes communities for their excellence in transforming downtown districts. The three award winners will be announced on March 27, 2023 at the National Main Street Conference in Boston, MA.

For more information about the award, you can read the press release here.

9 Techniques Employers Use To Retain Top Talent

/in , , /by

From the Great Resignation to layoffs in the tech industry, it’s no secret the job market has been volatile in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, total annual employee turnover rates are expected to be 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels in the coming years, according to a 2022 report from market research firm Gartner.

Here is list of strategies for retaining top talent from leading talent firms like Robert Half, trusted sources including Gallup polling and Harvard Business Review, as well as news reports.

It’s not just the employee side of the job market that is being upended.

To read the full story, click here.

Carter Lumber Announces Expansion in Florence County

/in , , /by

Carter Lumber, a leading building materials supplier, announced plans on Thursday, March 9th to expand its South Carolina footprint with new operations in Florence County. The company’s $26 million investment will create 80 new jobs.

Headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Carter Lumber is a privately held, family-owned company with more than 170 locations across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. In addition to lumber, the company sells a broad range of building supplies including decking, doors, kitchens, siding and windows. Carter Lumber is the fourth largest professionally focused lumber and building materials supplier in the nation.

With existing operations in Easley and Rock Hill, this will mark the company’s third South Carolina location and first facility in Florence County. Located at 305 West Myrtle Beach Highway in Johnsonville, Carter Lumber’s plans include renovating a 120,000-square-foot facility in Florence County to manufacture roof and floor trusses along with hanging interior door units. This location will also serve as a millwork warehouse for stock mouldings, and the products from the Florence County facility will be delivered to residential, commercial and multi-family job sites.

Operations are expected to be online by the third quarter of 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Carter Lumber team should visit the company’s careers page. https://www.carterlumber.com/careers

Lighthouse Ministries To Host BBQ Fundraise

/in , , /by

Join Lighthouse Ministries the week of Monday, March 20 – Friday, March 24 for their BBQ Fundraiser.  Plates can be obtained by pick up, drive thru or eat in at Holt Brothers BBQ (2087 W Evans St).  The $10 plate includes BBQ, rice and gravy, slaw, green beans and hushpuppies. All proceeds benefit Lighthouse Ministries.

To view the full flyer, click here.

Junior Leadership Florence County Visits Columbia

/in , , /by

The Junior Leadership Florence County Class enjoyed a fantastic day on Tuesday, March 7th in Columbia for the annual State Government Session and South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Legislative Day at the State House.

The class of Florence County high school sophomores and juniors met with Governor Henry McMaster, Mr. Cody Simpson, Governor’s Special Assistant and founding advisor for Junior Leadership Florence County, the Florence County Legislative Delegation (Senator Mike Reichenbach, Representative Phillip Lowe, Representative Jay Jordan, and Representative Terry Alexander).

The Jr. Leadership Program is a partnership with the Florence Chamber of Commerce, Francis Marion University and Florence County 4-H.

A special thanks to the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program for inviting us to a beautiful luncheon and special thanks JLFC Advisory Board Members, Mrs. Celia Urquhart, Pee Dee Regional Director for U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham, Superintendent, Dr. Neal Vincent, Florence County School District Two and Mr. Reace Shird, 4-H Volunteer/Florence School District Two for their help chaperoning the trip.

If you know of any rising Florence County high school sophomore or junior interested in participating in next year’s program, please encourage them to apply at https://www.jrleadershipflorencecounty.com or you can contact your high school guidance counselor. You may also call the Florence Chamber of Commerce at 843-665-0515 to get more information. The deadline has been extended to March 31st.