4 U Services, LLC Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Tavon Johnson, owner of 4 U Services, LLC along with family members, Chamber Ambassadors and friends joins the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

4 U Services, LLC is dedicated to making a difference in the community. 4 U Services takes pride in providing exceptional customer service while delivering excellent products to all the communities that we serve.

During the pandemic, Tavon said, “He really wanted to see how he could make a difference in our community.” Tavon realized that the elderly population was lacking caregiver support and transportation, he felt that delivering medical supplies would provide a sense of relief for them and bring them the care items they so needed.

To read the full story, click here.

CLT Ranks 7th Busiest Airport Worldwide

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Florence passengers connecting through Charlotte Douglas International Airport shared news this week from Airports Council International (ACI) 2022 preliminary rankings which lists CLT seventh busiest airport worldwide for arrivals and departures and 10th in North America for passengers. Globally, CLT’s passenger traffic ranks 19th. This gives the Pee Dee more connecting points.

“The rankings reflect the confidence and eagerness of passengers returning to the skies and the strength of the American Airlines hub,” said CLT’s CEO Haley Gentry. “2023 is on pace to be a 100% recovery from the pandemic, one year earlier than forecasted, as we begin our busiest summer ever.”

Charlotte Douglas handled 505,589 arrivals and departures last year and served nearly 48 million passengers, which is a 10% jump from 43 million passengers in 2021 and only 5% below the record-breaking 50 million passengers in 2019. Currently, American has two flights in and out of Florence each day offering connecting flights all over the world. Last month, American airline had no cancelled flights in the flight schedules.

The Airport remains the second largest hub for American Airlines.

City Of Florence Wants More Downtown Housing Units

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The City of Florence wants to bring an additional 1,000 housing units downtown by 2030.

That’s according to the city’s newly adopted Downtown Master Plan, which was unanimously approved by Florence City Council members on June 12. It looks to expand upon the success of the city’s downtown revitalization projects by focusing on more than just the historic blocks.

“While there are still initiatives and goals that we’re going to have within there to fully utilize that area, we’re starting to reach capacity as far as availability, so it’s important that we show and demonstrate how we can redevelop those areas immediately outside of the historic district,” said Assistant City Manager Clint Moore.

To read the full story, click here.

Palmetto Business Barometer Check-In

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In January, the SC Chamber and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce teamed up to launch the Palmetto Business Barometer, a voluntary monthly survey to better understand the conditions that South Carolina employers are facing and inform the public about the state’s economy and workforce. The survey measures conditions and attitudes over time with an emphasis on workforce behaviors. Each month, a survey is released for two weeks for business leaders and owners to complete anonymously. After two weeks, the survey closes, and experts convert the data into graphs and charts. Six months of surveys are now complete, and the seventh survey will open on July 3rd.

With increased survey participation, patterns, and trends are beginning to be formed and identified. For example, in January 2023, 45 percent of businesses said that none of their workforce was engaging in remote work remotely; however, in May 2023, 66 percent of businesses said that none of their workforce is engaging in remote work. Over time, more businesses also self-disclosed they anticipate it will be more difficult to find qualified workers in six months – in January 35 percent said it would be, and in May 42 percent it would be. View the data from the past six months by clinking here.

The South Carolina Relentless Challenge Grant Program

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S.C. Commerce is helping fuel South Carolina’s #innovation ecosystem through the Relentless Challenge grant program. The 2024 Relentless Challenge notice of funding opportunity is now available — the program is planning to award approximately $750,000 during the 2024 funding cycle. Read all terms and details to learn how your project or organization may qualify by clicking here.

McLeod Regional Medical Center Host Blood Drive

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McLeod Regional Medical Center, in partnership with The Blood Connection, is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, July 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Blood Connection will have a bloodmobile parked on the East Palmetto Street side of the McLeod Medical Plaza, 800 East Cheves Street, Florence, S.C.

Walk-ins welcome. Appointments are seen first.

To schedule an appointment click here.

ChamberLink Radio

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April Munn, Director of Admissions at Trinity Collegiate School, joined ChamberLink Radio this past weekend to talk about the schools’ personalized approach to education and the strong family community they share.

You can catch ChamberLink Radio this Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

New Industrial Sites In Florence County Nearing Completion

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Three new industrial sites in Florence County are nearing completion and already attracting potential buyers.

Each area cost between $8 million to $12 million, with $15 million to $20 million in utilities used at each location. Potential customers are looking into the parks now, Florence County Economic Development Partnership Chief Executive Officer Gregg Robinson said.

A site consultant with Deloitte Consulting toured the sites last week, Robinson said. Deloitte is considered the fourth most prestigious consulting firm this year.

The three projects came into being after the Florence County Council passed a $22 million bond referendum in 2020 to support industrial expansion within the county “because we hadn’t had a lot of success,” Robinson said.

To read the full story, click here.

Francis Marion University Expanding Degree Offerings And Campus Footprint

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The regional university has seen growth over the last decade that has sprawled across Florence County. A new education and business building, a forestry and environmental sciences program and other additions are planned.

Academically, the Commission on Higher Education approved Francis Marion University’s third doctoral degree — doctor of psychology — earlier this month. The program begins in January.

The university also offers doctorates in nursing practice and occupational therapy.

In November, FMU’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved accelerated master’s degrees in Montessori Early Childhood Education and Montessori Elementary Education.

To read the full story, click here.

Inland Port Dillon Had Record-Breaking Month

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South Carolina Ports’ cargo business segments had a strong May, with inland ports, vehicles and cruise passengers trending up.

SC Ports handled 20,026 vehicles for global automakers at Columbus Street Terminal in May, up 14% year-over-year.

SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports, which swiftly move cargo via rail between the Port of Charleston and inland markets, continued to see strong volumes.

Inland Port Dillon had another record-breaking month, handling 4,415 rail moves in May, which is an impressive 138% jump from last year. Inland Port Greer also had a strong month handling 14,931 rail moves, up 4% year-over-year.

To read the full story, click here.