2025 Fall Public Hearings on Children’s Issues

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The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children invites the public to attend the 2025 Fall Public Hearings on Children’s Issues. These hearings are an opportunity for community members, students, educators, service providers, advocates, and organizational leaders to share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing children and families in South Carolina.

Testimony provided during the hearings will help inform the Committee’s recommendations to state leaders and policymakers, ensuring that the needs of children are reflected in priorities across health, education, safety, and well-being.

Participation Options: Attend in person to listen and learn; Register to provide spoken testimony by emailing childrenscommittee@sc.edu; Submit written testimony by emailing childrenscommittee@sc.edu no later than Friday, October 17.

Your voice matters. By participating, you will help shape the future of programs and policies that impact children and families across our state.

For more information, click here.

You’re Invited!! FCCC Ribbon Cutting & Open House

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They can’t wait for you to see their NEW location at 504 S Coit St, Florence on Thursday, October 9th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. The Ribbon Cutting will take place promptly at 4:00 pm, with the drop-in Open House to follow immediately after.

They would love for you to drop by, enjoy some refreshments and see how the Foster Care Clothing Closet has GROWN in the last ten years!

FCCC Board Members will be present and happy to share more about what the Foster Care Clothing Closet does and how you can be a part of the organization.

If you have any questions, you can always contact them at FosterCareClothingClosetSC@gmail.com or 843.858.9915

Franklin Home Dedication

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On September 10, 2025, Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity (GFHFH) gathered community leaders, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters at 104 West Vista Street to dedicate a new home for the Franklin Family.

The ceremony was a celebration of partnership, perseverance, and community spirit. Debbie Edwards, Executive Director of GFHFH, opened the dedication by expressing her joy in welcoming the Franklins into their new home and thanking all those who made the project possible.

Sponsors and partners shared words of encouragement and pride. Eric Crowley of Assurant highlighted the company’s commitment to Habitat’s mission, not just financially, but through their employees’ volunteerism on build sites. Florence Mayor Lethonia Bradley Barnes reminded attendees that Habitat builds more than houses—it builds homes filled with hope for families.

Farm to Freedom Festival – Rescheduled Date

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Due to the weather not cooperating this past weekend, they had to reschedule their event for this Saturday, October 4th.

Potter House Recovery and Stirrup Hope invite you to put your boots on and come out to the farm to celebrate National Recovery Month, Equine & Farm Therapy, Hope and Freedom with us through this incredible community event and fundraiser! There will be delicious food and beverages by Victor’s, Pepsi, Kona Ice and the Bryan Family. We will have live music and a DJ, lots of fun games and activities for adults and children and a dunk booth (you don’t want to miss your chance to dunk Donovan Page & Rob Waller)! There will be special guest appearances by Mayor Barnes who will be presenting a proclamation for National Recovery Month, Texas Roadhouse’s Andy Armadillo and more! This special evening will end with a big bonfire and smores and a HUGE raffle! Our community really showed up and showed out and we have some awesome raffle items to give away. This is a family event and all ages are welcome. ADMISSION IS FREE!

You have the chance to win a Pee Dee IceCats Family 4 pack which includes 4 tickets (200 level seats), tshirt, hat, decals and official game puck and a fan experience for 4. Must be present to win.

Restoration Continues On Carolina Theatre Downtown

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The Carolina Theatre in the heart of the historic downtown Florence is on track for a spring 2026 opening.

Construction should be finished by January, but the electrical, sound and light system will take till early spring, said Clint Moore, assistant city manager and manager of the renovation project.

The most exciting part of the restoration project is bringing the cultural and historic asset back to the downtown, Moore said.

“There are still plenty of Florentines, people in their 50s and 60s, that still remember going to the Carolina Theatre,” he said.

To read the full story, click here.

Anderson Brothers Bank Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Jamie Carsten and Malorie Steadman with Anderson Brothers Bank were the Florence Chamber’s guests this past weekend talking about Anderson Brothers Bank’s numerous options for banking rewards, checking accounts, commercial services along with savings and other ABB offerings. Anderson Brothers Bank has been serving South Carolina since 1933.

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/

South Carolina Legal Services Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Thomas Trent, SCLS Intake Managing Attorney along with Shunna Jeter Executive Director SCLS, Michael Abbott Nemec-Abbott Foundation, flanked by business associates and Chamber Ambassadors welcome South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) to the Greater Florence Chamber with a ribbon cutting.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Nemec-Abbott Foundation. SCLS is launching its innovative Justice Van, designed to deliver free civil legal aid directly to Florence and Darlington County residents confronting transportation barriers.

Founded in October 2022 by Kerstin and Mike Abbott, the Nemec-Abbott Foundation supports community-focused initiatives that deliver measurable impact, especially in education, poverty relief, and overlooked needs throughout Florence and Darlington counties (nemecabbott.org). The Foundation funded the purchase and upfitting of a mobile legal services vehicle for SCLS, directly supporting outreach into hard-to-reach, high-poverty areas.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence Chamber Announces Business Person of the Year

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As part of the Florence Chamber’s Membership Luncheon last week the gathering witnessed the announcement of Frank Chisholm, CEO of Employreward Solutions, Inc, as the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank. The award is presented each year in recognition of their vision and leadership in local business endeavors, as well as their contribution to area community efforts.

Today, ERS employs 140 people in downtown Florence and provides services to over 10,000 SSI and SSDI recipients nationwide, helping individuals move toward employment and self-sufficiency.

Mr. Chisholm has also made contributions to Florence in downtown revitalization efforts. Through ERS and related companies, his annual fundraisers have supported Help 4 Kids, the Florence County Disabilities Foundation, and the House of Hope, with each organization receiving more than $38,000 annually.

The Business Person of the Year is selected by a committee made up of previous recipients of the award, area business leaders and the current presenting sponsor.

Chamber Annual Membership Held Last Wednesday

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On Wednesday, September 24th, The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Membership Luncheon at Florence Center with 500 industry, business and community leaders present. The keynote speaker at the event was Joseph Armas, President, Otis U.S & Canada.

Mr. Armas shared the vision and future of the Otis Elevator operations here in Florence where they employ more than 600 locally and 74,000 colleagues globally. He said, “We’re proud to call Florence our North American manufacturing home. And we’re just getting started.”

A special thank you to our area financial institutions Anderson Brothers Bank, Bank of Clarendon, Carolina Bank, Dedicated Community Bank, First Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Reliance Bank, SAFE FCU, South Carolina FCU, South State Bank, SPC Credit Union, Synovus, TD Bank, The Citizens Bank, Truist and Wells Fargo for the continued support in making this luncheon and so many other community project possible.

To see more photos from the event, click here.

Properties Available At Chandler Reserve Club

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Chandler Reserve Club, a private 24/7 gated community has finished its last and final phase of their property at 3011 Pisgah Road. The single level townhomes, furnished and unfurnished, are now ready for immediate occupancy. Please contact us at 843-905-3948 for more information.