Lets all do our part in cleaning up the Greater Florence area. The Keep Florence Beautiful Trash Tracker is now available to help us have a clean environment.
Watch the video here to see how it works and how easy it is to get involved!
Then visit 
https://survey123.arcgis.com/…/97cc9bcfefd840d8a5ea4999… to bookmark the Trash Tracker on your phone or tablet.
For more information, click here.
arlington Raceway will host their Business After Hours on Thursday, June 26th beginning at 5:30 PM at the Stock Car Museum. Connect with professionals from across the Pee Dee region while exploring the world’s oldest stock car museum.
Following an unexpectedly popular grant application period during the first quarter of 2025, members of the newly-launched SPC Cares Foundation’s Advisory Committee approved six $1,000 Community Impact grants to local nonprofits in Darlington and Florence Counties. Grant recipients include Black Creek Wildlife Center, Christ City of Refuge, Darlington County Progress, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation, the McLeod Health Foundation, and The Salvation Army of the Pee Dee.
Each grant recipient meets one or more of the Cares Foundation’s four primary pillars of impact: hunger, housing, education, and employment. These four pillars were prioritized by SPC Credit Union based on community and Member interactions. Community Impact grants are one of four funding opportunities available through the Foundation; others include the SPC Scholarship Fund, the Down Payment Assistance Fund, and the Member Hardship Fund.
To read the full story, click here.
Neel Sus, a 1995 graduate of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) and the CEO of Susco Solutions, will return to his alma mater to deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2025. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 30, at the DeLoach Center at Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Sus is the founder and CEO of Susco Solutions, a New Orleans-based software development firm committed to modernizing operations for mid-market companies. Under his leadership, Susco has become a nationally recognized provider of both custom claims management systems and its proprietary CMS platform, RocketClaims™. Beyond his contributions to the tech industry, Sus is widely respected for promoting human-centered leadership, encouraging self-awareness in business, and empowering individuals to realize their full potential. Susco has earned a spot on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for five consecutive years and, for the past two, has been honored as one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces—a distinction awarded to only 600 companies nationwide.
To read the full story, click here.
As college admissions and scholarships become more competitive, students need a solid SAT or ACT test score more than ever. College PrepXcel is offering summer intensive courses for the SAT and the ACT to help students move to the next level in their test prep. We offer a 4-point ACT score improvement guarantee and a 100-point SAT score improvement guarantee. Join us for this student-centered and individualized course. We are enrolling now. Spots are limited. Contact judy@thestandoutstudent.com with any questions.
For more information, click here.
For the first time, two Florence County Economic Development Partnership leaders earned top honors at the 2025 South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) Annual Conference. Gregg Robinson, CEO, was named Local Economic Developer of the Year—the first ever for Florence County. Will Johnson, economic development attorney and FCEDP board member, received the SCEDA Ally Award for exceptional private-sector leadership supporting economic development. Congrats to our Florence County Economic Development team.
Cru Wine & Tap, a welcoming downtown neighborhood wine bar and pizzeria, has unveiled a $50,000 crowdfunding initiative aimed at expanding its space, growing its retail wine shop, and upgrading its kitchen to better serve the Florence community. In a strategic move with NuMarket, Cru Wine & Tap is extending the opportunity to fund their growth in exchange for 120% back in credits on contributions made to the crowdfunding effort. These credits can be used toward future purchases—marking Cru Wine & Tap as one the first business in Florence to use the innovative platform.
Cru Wine & Tap is part of a pilot initiative to introduce the NuMarket platform to the Florence business community in partnership with Florence Downtown Development Corp. and Main Street America. “We are thrilled to partner with Main Street America, NuMarket, and Cru Wine & Tap to pilot this innovative creative funding solution for high visit frequency businesses in our local market. We encourage everyone who loves Cru to jump in and help make this pilot successful so we can bring it to other small businesses in our community,” said Hannah Davis, Development Manager for Florence’s Main Street Program.
To read the full story, click here.
The Florence Monster Yard Sale at the Florence Center, Saturday, June 14th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event – Go to www.scmonsteryardsale.com for more info to get your booth. Admission is $5 and proceeds benefit Youth Mentors of the Pee Dee. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well! Call 843-678-9393 or email monsteryardsale@commbroadcasters.com for more information!
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Florence 37 cohort Class of 2025 held a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 14th at Floyd Conference Center at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center. The commencement speaker was Dr. Jermaine Ford, President of Florence-Darlington Technical College.
Dr. Ford gave the Leadership Florence class tips and quotes for leading in in the community.
Mitchell Lister of the Florence Flamingos and Ryan White of the Florence County Solicitors office were voted Most Outstanding Participants by the class. 2024 Outstanding Participant Patrice Williams was on hand to present the awards.
To see more photos from the event, click here.
Save a Life – Donate Blood! Join the Blood Connection for their upcoming Blood Drive at the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, May 27th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Every donation can help save up to three lives. Whether you’re a regular donor or it’s your first time, your contribution makes a real difference. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to ensure a smooth experience.
Give blood. Give hope. Be a hero. Mark your calendar and help us make an impact!
For more information, click here.
