Archive for month: October, 2025

The Post & Courier Pee Dee ran a story on the local support that TSA and air traffic control workers at the Florence’s airport were getting after the government shutdown took effect on October 1st.

Airport Executive Brad Beadles said some airports have had to briefly close due to federal employees calling out, but the Florence Regional Airport has not had that problem.

“It’s important to stress to the community that without the FAA and the TSA, the airport wouldn’t run,” Beadles said. “We love that they are coming to work and continuing to do their job despite what’s going on.”

The airport has been working on something Beadles called “federal employee appreciation,” as the shutdown continues. The airport began supplying free lunch to the employees on weekdays, and when they haven’t provided physical lunch, they have given the employees gift cards that can be used for groceries, gas or any other needs. The endeavor began on Oct. 15, and has since grown beyond the airport.

Florence Chamber of Commerce President Michael Miller said that without TSA and air traffic controllers, passenger travel and many commerce operations would come to a crawl.

“The least (we can do) is show our support for them for what they do and (show) that they’re appreciated in playing a critical role every day,” Miller said. “Bringing them lunch is just one small part we can do during the shutdown to acknowledge what they’re doing and what their services really mean to us.”

To read the full story, click here.

Burch, Oxner, Seale Co., CPA’s, PA (BOSCO) is excited to announce its Annual Trunk-or-Treat Event, taking place on Thursday, October 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1341 W Alice Drive, Florence, SC.

This family-friendly community event has become a BOSCO tradition, offering a fun and safe way for children and families to celebrate Halloween. Attendees can look forward to festive trunks, candy, and smiling faces from BOSCO team members, all in a lighthearted, not-so-spooky atmosphere.

To view the full flyer, click here.

HopeHealth welcomes Angela Oduro, PA, a physician assistant at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology (magna cum laude) from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Her clinical interests are hypertension, diabetes, and acne. She is fluent in English and Akan.

Last Thursday evening, The Chamber held a Small Business Social event at FMU Steven F. Gately Gallery in downtown Florence.

Many local small business owners were in attendance offering ideas for the Chambers Small Business Committee to review for future business programming.

Also, attending were several of our city, county and state representatives sharing comments and support for our area’s small businesses.

Special thanks to the Chamber’s Small Business Committee members David Fountain, Lee Freeman, Dr. Lesley Kirby AuD, Robbie Norris, Marvin James and Malorie Steadman for organizing and sponsoring the event.

Supporting sponsors for the evening were TAB (The Alternative Board), Anderson Brothers Bank, Genesis Landscapes, Lifetime Hearing Services, The Floor Store and The UPS Stores.

To see more photos from the event, click here.

The 32 participants of the 2025-2026 Fellows in Education class enjoyed an informational visit to Greenwood Elementary School last week.

School Principal, Tina Johnson and her staff, shared the schools’ academic offerings along with the theme for this year – “Back to the Basics!.”  That includes high expectations of rigor, accountability, and student engagement as the foundation to build upon.

The group was entertained by local student musical talent during the lunch break and then the group was provided tours of the school facilities and witnessed engaging classroom interaction.

The Fellows program is designed to give community leaders a unique, behind-the-scenes look into several schools within Florence 1 Schools over a nine-month period.

Each month the program centers on a different educational experience that is unique to the classroom. The Fellows in Education program offers opportunities for leaders to contribute to the development of better education in the communities in which we live and work.

The Fellows In Education program is a partner project between Florence 1 Schools, the School Foundation and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Photos by Steve Camlin.

To see more photos from the day, click here.