Free Alcohol Beverage Licensing Workshop Available

/in , , /by

Business owners, restaurants, and retailers who sell, or plan to sell, wine, beer, or liquor are encouraged to join DOR’s Alcohol Beverage Licensing Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. This free session will provide an overview of S.C.’s alcohol licensing laws, walk participants through the process of applying for and renewing licenses, and cover rules for special events, temporary licenses, and more. While in-person tickets are sold out, virtual registration remains open.

For more information, click here.

F1S Challenges You To Join The “Walk At Work” Challenge

/in , , /by

Florence 1 Schools (F1S) has partnered with Blue Zones to encourage a culture of health and well-being for its employees, students, families, and the greater community. This September, district employees are adopting the Blue Zones best practice of “moving naturally” by participating in the Blue Zones Walk at Work Moai Challenge.

In Okinawa, Japan, people form “moais” – small groups that commit to doing positive things together. F1S staff and teachers are following suit by forming “walking moais” for 10 weeks. Regular walking can help reduce stress, improve mood and sleep, and lower the risk of disease.

You and your business are invited to join the challenge. The initiative will kick off September 8th and end November 21st. To participate, identify a moai leader who registers your walkers by August 29th using the QR code in the attached flyer. For more information, contact Dr. Cathy Lee, F1S Blue Zones Well-Being Coordinator at clee@fsd1.org.

For more information, click here.

SCDOT Breaks Ground on I-95 Widening Project

/in , , /by

Last week, state and local officials gathered at the Hardeeville Welcome Center near the Georgia border to celebrate the ground breaking of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)’s I-95 widening project. The record $825 million project will widen I-95 from U.S. Highway 278 to the Savannah River, which is about 10 total miles, from four lanes to six, and improve existing interchanges and bridges to fit modern standards. Currently, only Florence, South Carolina has a portion of I-95 that is six lanes wide.

The project is expected to be completed in 2030. More information on the project can be found here.

S.C. Led Nation In Real GDP Growth In Q1

/in , , /by

According to data released earlier this summer by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), South Carolina experienced the highest growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) in the country at 1.7% during the first quarter of 2025. GDP is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a given period of time. South Carolina also ranked fourth in the country for personal income growth in Q1, and second in the Southeast (trailing only Mississippi).

While 39 states saw their real GDP growth decline, as it did in the United States as a whole, South Carolina led the way thanks to a booming economy, continued economic investment and unprecedented levels of population growth.

For more information, click here.

Blueprint 2035 – A Roadmap for South Carolina’s Economic Future

/in , , /by

The SC Chamber along with your local Chamber are committed to driving the state’s economic success by championing policies that support business growth, innovation, and a strong and resilient workforce. To that end we are working with Grant Thornton Advisors to develop Blueprint 2035 – A Roadmap for South Carolina’s Economic Future, a comprehensive and actionable economic growth plan designed to secure South Carolina’s position as a leading economic force in the United States.

To ensure that the Blueprint reflects all voices and needs of the state’s business community and secures economic success for all South Carolinians for generations to come, we have launched a survey to be answered by C-suite executives that have intimate knowledge about company operations, economic development incentives and other state resources, growth strategies and opportunities, and a general understanding of issues affecting their ability to do business in the state.

The valuable data collected from this survey will be used in the development of the Blueprint and may take up to 20 minutes to complete. Take the survey today!

Honda South Carolina Manufacturing Marked Historic Occasion With 500,000th Honda Side-By-Side

/in , , /by

On Wednesday, August 6, Honda South Carolina Manufacturing (SCM) marked a historic occasion when the 500,000th Honda side-by-side rolled off the Timmonsville, South Carolina, plant’s assembly line.

SCM began production of the Honda Foreman 400 ATV in 1998 and added ATV engine production in 2000, Honda AquaTrax™ personal watercraft in 2003 and side-by-side vehicle production in 2013. Today, the 950,000-square-foot plant is the exclusive global production home of all Honda side-by-side vehicles, including the Pioneer multipurpose series and the Talon sport family. (All Honda ATVs are now produced in Swepsonville, North Carolina.)

Throughout the plant’s 27-year history, SCM has invested a total of over $460 million in its operations, and its associates have proudly produced more than 3.8 million powersports products.

“I’m extremely proud of our team in Timmonsville,” said Travis Lee, SCM site lead. “Their work and ongoing commitment and passion for our business and customers are the reason we’ve achieved this impressive milestone and many others over the years. No matter where our associates are in their careers at SCM, they are a part of our success, and I appreciate their continued efforts and teamwork.”

To read the full story, click here.

Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Hold Final Session

/in , , /by

The Chamber’s Emerging Leaders had their final session today, Government and Civic Engagement. The City of Florence hosted breakfast for the group.

The cohorts heard from the Mayor of Florence, Florence City Manager, Florence County Deputy Administrator, and Florence Police Department. The final stop for the class was House of Hope for lunch, where they heard presentations from Lighthouse Ministries, Man2Man and Spherion.

To see more photos from the day, click here.

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation Awards $100K To Local Nonprofits

/in , , /by

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation recently awarded $100,000 in grants to 15 area nonprofit organizations from its Community Impact Grant cycle. Congratulations to this year’s grantees!

American Red Cross of South Carolina Eastern Chapter, Dillon County First Steps, The Manna House, Youth Mentors of the Pee Dee, Caring and Sharing of Hemingway, CMD’s Pantry, Foster Care Clothing Closet, Mercy Medical Free Clinics, The Jade Bridge, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee, Lighthouse Ministries, Florence, SC., Pick 42 Foundation, South Carolina First Steps and Tenacious Grace.

To read the full story, click here.

City of Florence Launches Housing Needs Assessment Survey

/in , , /by

The City of Florence has partnered with Bowen National Research to conduct a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment to better understand current housing conditions, challenges, and opportunities within the City of Florence.

As part of this initiative, Bowen National Research is surveying residents, commuters, community leaders, and organizations to gather valuable perspectives on housing needs in the area. The study will analyze key factors such as housing availability, affordability, quality, and demand, providing data to guide future housing policies and development strategies.

If you are a Florence business, regardless of the number of employees, you are asked to help in the HNA Assessment process by completing the HNA survey by clicking here.

Haulerfest Returns August 28

/in , , /by

Haulerfest will be held on the Public Square from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28.

The NASCAR Car Hauler Parade will make its way through the Public Square, and it’ll be accompanied by a concert from Andy & Oneida. There will also be food trucks, vendors, inflatables, race cars, show cars and more. Darlington Raceway is celebrating its 70th anniversary that weekend, so what an exciting time in Darlington!

If you’re interested in becoming a vendor or would like to display your race car or show car, please contact City of Darlington Public & Community Affairs Director, Hunter Thomas by emailing hthomas@cityofdarlington.com.

For more information, click here.