Join this virtual information session on Wednesday, May 8th from 10:00 – 10:30 AM to discuss best practices on improving the cash flow of your business, build and expand your business, borrowing solutions, managing risks, payment processes and more!
Click here for the meeting link.
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to approve a final rule that effectively bans employers’ use of noncompete clauses, both prospectively and retroactively. Once the rule goes into effect, most existing noncompete agreements between employers and workers will no longer be enforceable and federal law will supersede any state law surrounding noncompete agreements. Existing noncompete agreements between employers and senior executives are exempt from the retroactivity of the rule, but future agreements are prohibited. The rule broadens the definition of noncompete to capture any contractual provision that “has the effect of prohibiting the worker from seeking or accepting employment.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business associations immediately filed suit against the FTC over the final rule in a Texas federal court, arguing that the FTC lacks the authority to implement such a rule. In a statement, the U.S. Chamber said, “The Federal Trade Commission’s decision to ban employer noncompete agreements across the economy is not only unlawful but also a blatant power grab that will undermine American businesses’ ability to remain competitive.
The rule is set to go into effect 120 days after it is published in the Federal Register, although implementation will be delayed as a result of lawsuits.
For more information, click here.
The Benton House of Florence was recently awarded “Best Assisted Living” and “Best Memory Care” by US News and World Report. The award was achieved based on resident and family satisfaction surveys. It is the third consecutive year Benton House of Florence has been honored with “Best of” US News awards.
Over 3,500 communities participated nationally. In all, 20 Benton Houses were honored to receive “Best of” awards, the highest percentage in the nation.
Kim Jacobs, Executive Director of Benton House of Florence says receiving the honor adds another accolade to the award-winning company. “We accept every award with humility and gratitude. But we are particularly pleased to be recognized by US News and World Report because of the national scope and scale of the community group. This is the third consecutive year to win a US News Best of Award. When you combine this award with our Fortune Top 50 US Great Place to Work status it tells you we have a very special community, for both residents and our team.”
For decades, the corridor from McLeod Health to Francis Marion University has been peppered with weedy motels, crumbling businesses and vacant lots hemmed in by barbed wire.
“This side of Florence has always been the last on everybody’s list,” said Brandon Rawlinson, a business owner who has lived and worked in the area for years. A recent report described the corridor as a “pass-through rather than a place.”
That’s about to change — or at least officials hope it is.
With the introduction of major developments like Buc-ee’s and the electric vehicle battery plant, economic development and planning officials expect to see East Palmetto Street take off.
Now, Florence County is embarking on an ambitious project to reshape the eastern gateway into Florence and control the projected development.
To read the full story, click here.
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce wants to thank Duke Energy for their continued support of the Building Bridges program.
Other sponsors for this year’s event included Assurant, HopeHealth, Spherion and iHeart Media.
Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly once danced across the screen of the Carolina Theater. Moviegoers lined up beneath a brightly lit marquee to see them. Tickets were 50 cents.
That was before the theater fell into disrepair, becoming a vacant storefront in downtown Florence for decades.
The city is now trying to breathe new life into the historic theater, returning it to its 1940s-era glory days.
The yearslong project is officially underway after the first phase of construction began in April. When finished, the theater will be a multipurpose venue in the heart of downtown, capable of hosting everything from concerts to weddings.
But the final product will depend on how much funding the city can find to finish renovations. Pandemic-era cost increases have shrunk the budget.
To read the full story, click here.
Cheers resounded through the halls Tuesday afternoon when the news students, teachers and administrator had been waiting for was announced: Delmae is officially one of the Palmetto’s Finest.
With this prestigious award from the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, Delmae has been recognized as the best elementary school in the state.
To be considered for the award, Delmae submitted an extensive application that evaluated the school’s professional learning community, instructional programs, culture and student achievement. They also received an onsite visit from the Palmetto’s Finest Committee. Six finalists were announced in January and each finalist received a second onsite visit from the committee.
To read the full story, click here.
Adam Sisk, Property Manager, alongside Sam Long, COO, and the Greater Florence Chamber Ambassadors cut the ribbon to officially open Ample Storage and join the Chamber of Commerce.
Ample Storage Center is proud to announce its newest location and first ever facility in Florence, South Carolina! With over 80 convenient locations across South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida, our professionals are here to help you find the perfect storage solution.
Ample Storage Center is conveniently located on 2601 S Irby Street Florence S.C. 29505. This facility possesses brand new, state of the art climate-controlled and outdoor self-storage units. Ample Storage Center offers affordable rates and a safe, secure storage facility with 24-hour video surveillance. Every unit is ground-level accessible for easy loading and unloading.
To read the full story, click here.
The Chamber’s Spring Golf Classic is a day of fun, food, networking and golf at the Traces Golf Club. This year’s event is sponsored by Raines Co.
A great lunch is provided by Pee Dee Catering to start the day followed by a shotgun start at noon. We have a sold out event with 29 teams and 15 hospitality holes.
The Florence Chamber held its 2024 Building Bridges Diversity and Leadership Summit. Community participants were welcomed by Florence
City Mayor Teresa Myers-Ervin, Les Echols from the Florence Chamber.
Several speakers addressed the day-long gathering, including Rhonda Midgette of InsightfulHR, Dr. Louis Venters from Francis Marion University and opening keynote speaker Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President of Benedict College.
The program featured a women in leadership panel moderated by Nicole Echols of HopeHealth and an Executive Roundtable on diversity featuring representatives from iHeart Media, Francis Marion University and Assurant.
The mission of Building Bridges is to enable our community to address diverse issues through a process of changing attitudes & hearts through education and issue awareness.
To see photos from the day, click here.
