Pee Dee Heart Walk – Save The Date

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The Heart Walk is a fun, family-friendly event that brings our community together to get active, raise life-saving funds, and support the mission of the American Heart Association. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just looking for a great day out, join them to celebrate heart health, honor survivors, and remember loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke. Lace up your sneakers for a day filled with music, activities, and camaraderie. Through fundraising and community engagement, the Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research, and ultimately, save lives.

For more information, click here.

Chamber Fall Golf Classic

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The Chamber will be holding its’ Annual Fall Golf Classic, on Thursday, October 2nd at Traces Golf Club, sponsored by First Bank. Unfortunately, we already have a sold-out field of local business & community golfers on the course but do still have some sponsorships up for grabs. A great lunch is provided to start the day at 11:00 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at noon. Come experience great food and prizes throughout the course with 12+ food and prize hospitality holes. Each registered golfer will be entered into a drawing to participate in a $25,000 cash shoot out!

For more information, click here.

S.C. Tax Revenues Exceed FY24-25 Projections

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South Carolina’s state revenues exceeded projected totals for FY2024-25 by approximately $726 million according to an unaudited report released on Monday by the Office of the Comptroller General. Lawmakers will be able to appropriate the additional funds during the FY2026-27 budget writing process.

Most of the surplus revenues were due to higher than anticipated collections of individual income, sales, and corporate taxes. This is a result of the continued record economic and population growth that South Carolina is experiencing, and that the state’s economy continues to outperform most other parts of the United States.

Individual income tax revenues were approximately $819 million higher than anticipated, sales tax revenues were approximately $186 million higher than anticipated, and corporate income tax revenues were approximately $413 million higher than anticipated.

Reducing tax burdens on businesses and individuals will remain a top priority for the business community in the 2026 legislative session.

Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Summer Institute Hold Graduation

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Recently, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held a graduation ceremony for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute Class August 21st at the Chamber offices..

The keynote speaker was Lisa Justice, Director of Adult Education with Florence 1 Schools.

Congratulations to the 2025 Emerging Leaders cohorts:

Teresa Allen, Florence-Darlington Technical College; Christal Altidoor, Pee Dee Coalition; Yanasia Cain, HopeHealth; Sheridan Edwards, HopeHealth; Tanicia Gilchrist, HopeHealth; Debra Goodman, ERA Leatherman Realty; Cynthia Gray, Florence-Darlington Technical College; Phillip Hobbs, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC; Genai Laws, Lighthouse Ministries; Pam McDaniels, Florence 1 Schools; Priscilla Muldrow, One Love Community Partners; Vicky Peppin, Florence-Darlington Technical College

To see more photos from the event, click here.

Aflac – Pee Dee Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Andy Arthur, Agency Director Aflac – Pee Dee was the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend talking about how the right insurance policies can help provide family financial peace of mind.

We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday 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.

Looking for past ChamberLink Radio Show interviews? Click here:

https://www.flochamber.com/events-programs/podcasts/

The Vantage Group Cuts Ribbon On Chamber Membership

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Lauran Altman, Vantage group along with co-workers and Chamber Ambassadors cuts her ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

The Vantage Group Brings “No Drama” Approach to Property Management in the Pee Dee.

The Vantage Group has announced its continued commitment to providing property owners and investors with more protection, less stress, and no drama in the management of their rental properties.

With a mission centered on maximizing long-term property value while delivering exceptional service to tenants, The Vantage Group stands out as a trusted partner for landlords and investors across the Pee Dee region. The company’s dedicated team of licensed property management professionals offers modern professional experience designed to reduce the risks and headaches often associated with property ownership.

To read the full story, click here.

Pee Dee IceCats Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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The Pee Dee IceCats, Florence’s newest professional hockey franchise, was officially welcomed to the Pee Dee community with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Florence Center with IceCat management, The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Ambassadors.

The ribbon cutting will celebrate the return of professional hockey to the Pee Dee region after more than a decade, marking a historic moment for the community and for fans eager to see the IceCats take the ice this October. Team executives, Chamber officials, and local leaders will be in attendance for the ceremony.

The Pee Dee IceCats are committed to delivering fast-paced, family-friendly entertainment and serving as a community-first organization that reflects the pride and energy of the Pee Dee region. Alongside thrilling game nights at the Florence Center, the IceCats will provide a wide range of fan experiences, from youth programs to community outreach events, ensuring the team is more than just a hockey club, it’s a cornerstone for the region.

To read the full story, click here.

Western Sizzlin Celebrates 40 Years

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Western Sizzlin Celebrated 40 years in Florence with a recent ribbon cutting. The ribbon was cut by Reed Sansbury along with his wife Niki, children, mother and Chamber Ambassadors.

Locally Owned, Locally Loved.  For four decades, Western Sizzlin in Florence, South Carolina has been more than just a restaurant—it has been a community gathering place. Locally owned and operated by The Sansbury Family since 1985, this family steakhouse has built a reputation for fresh, hand-cut steaks, a plentiful buffet, and the kind of warm hospitality that makes every guest feel like family.

A Sizzle That Lasts: What sets Western Sizzlin apart is its commitment to freshness and tradition. Every steak is hand-cut on-site and cooked to perfection, delivering that signature sizzle and flavor guests have come to expect. In addition to the grill, the buffet is always stocked with homestyle favorites, crisp salads, seasonal vegetables, and scratch-made sides, desserts, bread and a spread that satisfies every appetite.

“Fresh, hand-cut, and cooked with care—that’s the Western Sizzlin way.”

To read the full story, click here.

Florence Center Hiring Fair – Tomorrow

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Don’t forget about the Florence Center Hiring Fair on Wednesday, August 27 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM!  They’re looking to fill multiple positions. Parking is at Gate 3 and please bring 2 forms of ID.

For more information, click here.

FMU Kelley Center Offering Opening Doors Through Certification Seminar

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This workshop, led by the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement & Engagement, will provide an overview of the Small & Minority Business Contracting Certification (SMBCC) program. Attendees will learn about eligibility requirements, the application process, and how certification can help position their business for state contracting and procurement opportunities.

Tuesday, Sept. 30th from 10:00-11:00am at the FMU Kelley Center in Downtown Florence.

For more information, click here.