MUSC Health Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Jason Cox, COO of MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, along with Buck Turbeville, Director of Emergency Management & Security at MUSC, were the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend talking about talking about being veterans and how they bring that experience to their daily jobs.

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 and MUSC Florence.

Looking for past ChamberLink Radio Show interviews? Click here:

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

Post and Courier Pee Dee Holds Second Annual Twenty Under Forty Reception

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Last week the The Post and Courier Pee Dee held a reception for its second annual Twenty Under Forty to celebrate the achievements of exceptional young people in our region.

The Twenty Under Forty was presented by Victors in Downtown Florence and was held at the nearby Waters Building. The event celebrated outstanding young professionals in the Pee Dee who are helping shape the future of our community.

The Post and Courier article shared this year’s winners represent a wide range of professions, careers and backgrounds. Each winner stands out in their field, gives back to their community and promotes a culture of excellence, leadership and support in our region.

The winners and their supporters gathered Tuesday evening to celebrate their achievements. Post and Courier Pee Dee Publisher Heather Perry and Tim Norwood of Victors presented remarks, each emphasizing the importance of young professionals and their involvement in our community.

To read the full story, click here.

SC Chamber President and CEO Mike Brenan Announces Retirement

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The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) announced this week that President and CEO Mike Brenan has retired, effective October 30, 2025, following 16 months of leadership that guided the organization through a period of transition and into a new era of growth and prosperity. Upon his retirement, Brenan was bestowed the title of Chair Emeritus.

Brenan, who came out of retirement and stepped into the role during a transitional time for the SC Chamber, is credited with stabilizing the organization and positioning it for long-term success as a new entity. He spent decades in South Carolina’s banking industry before retiring in 2023 as the Regional President for the South Carolina Region of Truist Bank. His steady leadership, collaborative approach, and commitment to South Carolina’s business community have helped the SC Chamber strengthen its advocacy efforts, membership engagement, and statewide partnerships during his tenure.

Rollin Smoke Receives People’s Choice Award

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The gift that keeps on giving! Phillip Harrington of Rollin Smoke accepts the “People’s Choice Award” from Wayne Mulling Vice President of Community Broadcast LLC and Jay Lavrinc Director of Customer Relations for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

After placing 2nd, for wings, in the Chamber’s annual Kickin Chicken & Chili Fest, Phillip was able to lock down the “Peoples Choice Award,” this year. The “People’s Choice Award” was voted on by those wings lovers in attendance during the evening of the event.

A big thank you to Wayne Mulling and Community Broadcast LLC for sponsoring the “People’s Choice Award” and congratulations to Phillip for his win.

If you are interested in competing, next year’s date is October 16, 2026. Please contact Jay at the Chamber at 843-519-0938. Maybe you too can take home a trophy.

FMU Kelley Center Has Available Office Space – Lake City Business Incubator

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Looking for a professional space to launch or grow your small business or non-profit? The FMU Kelley Center currently has an available office for rent in our Lake City Business Incubator. Apply now using the button below or continue reading for more information about our office spaces.

For more information, click here.

Jingle Bell Market Returns To Florence Center November 20 – 23

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Kick off the holiday season in style at the Jingle Bell Market—the Carolinas’ premier holiday shopping event!

Start the festivities with the Preview Party on November 20th, an exclusive evening featuring gourmet bites, a complimentary drink, festive music, early shopping access, and a silent auction benefiting the Pee Dee Coalition. Tickets are $35.

Then, shop ‘til you sparkle at the Jingle Bell Market, November 21–23, with over 80 unique vendors, holiday décor, gifts, and plenty of merry cheer!

For more information, click here.

Florence 1 Schools Continue To Show Growth, Academic Achievement

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Last week the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) released the 2024-2025 School Report Cards. These annual reports measure year-to-year progress in schools and compare them to the goals outlined in the SCDE’s Profile of the SC Graduate. The categories included on the report cards include Academic Achievement, Graduation Rate, School Climate, and College and Career Readiness.

Overall school ratings are based on a 100-point scale with possible ratings of Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, and Unsatisfactory. For the 2024-2025 school year, 100% of Florence 1 schools received an Average or better rating. Carver Elementary School maintained its Excellent rating from the 2023-2024 report card.

McLaurin Elementary School does not receive a report card due to the fact that it does not serve students who participate in state testing.

For the second year in a row, Florence 1 Schools had no schools rated Below Average or Unsatisfactory.

To read the full story, click here.

Leadership Florence Alumni Association

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The Leadership Florence Alumni Association invites you for a special holiday reunion event in the heart of Florence’s downtown.

The event will take place in the beautiful penthouse suite of Hotel Florence and will feature food, beverages and a festive holiday music playlist.

Bring a children’s toy to donate to Lighthouse Ministries for Christmas.

Admission is FREE for Alumni Members and $20 for one additional guest.

RSVP for the event by emailing current Vice President, Jessica Watts, at jwatts@flochamber.com.  Click here for sponsorship information.

Small Business Application Workshop

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Small business owners and entrepreneurs! Ready to take your business to the next level? Join the CLIMB Fund on Thursday, November 20th at 5:30pm for an online workshop. You will learn all about our application process to get funding and help streamline your business operations!

*Note- Participants will not be permitted to join after 10 minutes of the starting time.

For more information, click here.

HopeHealth To Host Annual AIDSWalk

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HopeHealth will host its annual AIDSWalk on Saturday, December 6, with the theme “Walk A While In My Boots.”

This year’s keynote speaker will be HIV advocate Johneri’O Scott. Scott has lived with HIV for over 10 years and now dedicates his life to advocacy and visibility for people living with HIV. The event will take place outside at HopeHealth’s Streater Community Center (301 N. Dargan Street in Florence) near the blue sun sails. Event registration begins at 9 am, with a resource fair and coffee bar also offered. The event program begins at 10 am, with an awareness walk/trail ride scheduled for 10:45 am. Lunch and t-shirts will be provided for the first 250 participants.

Tiffany Straus, Associate Vice President of Constituent Engagement, shared, “For more than 30 years, HopeHealth has been a leader in South Carolina’s response to HIV/AIDS by providing care, education, and advocacy for those most impacted. The AIDSWalk is a chance for our entire community to come together, honor those we’ve lost, celebrate those thriving today, and continue breaking down the barriers of stigma and misunderstanding.”

To view the full flyer, click here.