Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Fest People’s Choice Award Presented

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Damon Kight  of Back Porch BBQ, was honored by Jay Lavrinc of the Greater Florence Chamber and Wayne Mullings of Community Broadcasters, as this year’s recipient of the People’s Choice Award for the Greater Florence Chamber’s Annual Kickin’ Chicken & Chili Fest Event.

The People’s Choice award was sponsored by Community Broadcasters in participation with the Chamber to honor the wings cooker who was chosen by the general public to have the best wings. This is Damon’s 3rd time winning the People’s Choice Award.

Congratulations to Back Porch BBQ and Damon Kight for the win.

Save The Date For The Chamber’s Upcoming Winter Legislative Breakfast

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Winter 2024 Legislative Breakfast is being held Friday, February 23rd at Florence Center.  This year’s event is made possible by Duke Energy and Palmetto Commercial Real Estate.  More details will be announced soon!

Benton House Of Florence To Host Business After Hours

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he Florence Chamber invites you to join us for an after-hours event hosted by The Benton House of Florence. Come out on Thursday, February 8th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. located at 1370 Celebration Blvd for great food, drinks, and networking. Be sure to bring lots of business cards! RSVP by calling the Chamber at (843) 665-0515 or by clicking here to register online.

Florence Construction Projects Set To Begin In 2024

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Randy Osterman, retiring Florence City Manager and Scotty Davis, Interim City Manager, said residents should see planning turn to action in 2024 as the city’s much-talked-about projects finally get underway.

That includes a slew of infrastructure projects that have been in the works, such as improving the city’s stormwater management systems and boosting capacity at the water and wastewater treatment plants.

Stormwater Plan:
City staff and its consultant are in the process of finishing a stormwater master plan – the first the city has ever done, Osterman said. The plan identifies dozens of projects that could help alleviate persistent flooding in Florence.

That’s in addition to about $13 million of construction the city is already pursuing to alleviate some of the most prominent stormwater problems. The work is being paid for by a combination of a $7 million bond and grants, Osterman said.

What work will or won’t be done in 2024 isn’t yet clear, though.

The city is set to make progress on massive planned upgrades to its water and sewer system. In 2024, the city plans to finish design work and potentially begin construction on the first phase of what is set to be half a billion dollars’ worth of work.

To read the full story, click here.

Renovations Continue As Food Lion Prepares For Florence Mall Debut

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Food Lion leased the former Piggly Wiggly grocery store at the Florence Mall after it closed on May 21, 2022. The store sat vacant for months. Food Lion started renovations this past summer.

Food Lion External Communications Manager Katherine “KD” Kirby said Food Lion was planning an opening date for the Florence Mall location in the second half of 2024.

To read the full story, click here.

Recruiting Industries, Park Upgrades Top Florence County’s 2024 To-Do List

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Florence County will continue to focus on economic development and growth in 2024.

County officials will move forward with road construction, stormwater and water projects related to the AESC battery plant, which is under construction in Florence County, County Administrator Kevin Yokim said.

Florence County will start the road building project from East Palmetto Street to the factory in 2024, Yokim said.

County Council approved a $5 million economic development grant to offset infrastructure costs for AESC at its Dec. 14 meeting.

Carter Lumber, a leading building materials supplier, announced in March a plan to expand its South Carolina operations by building a 120,000-square-foot facility in Johnsonville.

The $26 million investment is expected to create 80 jobs. The facility will manufacture roof and floor trusses and hanging interior door units. It also will serve as a millwork warehouse.

The facility will be located at 305 W. Myrtle Beach Highway in Johnsonville.

To read the full story, click here.

Sweet Feet Diabetic Center Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Dr. Hilary Dolford, owner of Sweet Feet Diabetic Center, was the Chamber’s guest on ChamberLink Radio this past New Year’s weekend.

You can catch the conversation with Dr. Dolford this Sunday, December 31st, from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The UPS Stores.

Blue Carpet Affair: Masquerade Ball Set For January 20

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Join the Xi Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for food, fellowship and dancing at the Blue Carpet Affair: Masquerade Ball. The event will be held on Saturday, January 20th at The Skye on 210 E Main Street in Bennettsville, SC.

For more information, click here.

Young Professionals Of Florence Host Christmas At Cru

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Young Professionals of Florence had the best time at their Christmas event on Thursday, December 21st from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at Cru Wine & Tap! While they got together, they also took up donations for Lighthouse Ministries.

To view photos from the event, click here.

Magic City Ques, Inc. Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Members of the Chi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. along with Chamber Ambassadors cut their ribbon, on Wednesday, December 20th, thus joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

The fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University. Omega Psi Phi’s stated purpose has been “to attract and build a strong and effective force of Handsome men dedicated to its Cardinal Principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and “uplift”. Throughout the world, many notable members are recognized as leaders in the arts, academics, athletics, entertainment, business, civil rights, education, government, and science fields.

With “Uplift ” being one of their cardinal guiding principles, the Chi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through its partnership with their supporting foundation “Magic City Ques Foundation” work all year to give back through their scholarship fund, winter coat giveaway, school book bag and school supplies giveaway as well as other community programs and initiatives such as delivering prepared Thanksgiving dinners to several families in around the Florence area. It is through the generosity from local businesses, community organizations and community members they can put smiles on the faces of area children and families.

To read the full story, click here.