Archive for year: 2025

As the weather turns colder, many individuals and families in our community face the difficult reality of not having adequate warm clothing to protect themselves from the winter chill. The need for warm coats is significant, and it’s a burden we believe we can lighten together through the power of collective compassion and action.

Our goal is simple yet impactful: to collect 500 gently used or new coats, along with socks, gloves, hats, and scarves. On January 24th, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm EST, we will distribute these essential items to those in need right here in the Florence County area.

To view the full flyer, click here.

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Small Businessperson of the Year sponsored by Dedicated Community Bank. Area business and community individuals can submit names of people who have managed a successful small business with a record of responsibility toward employees, customers, and members of the community. Last year’s recipient was Florence businessman David Fountain of the UPS Stores.

Nomination criteria: the person must be a member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce associated with a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or professional practice in the Greater Florence area with less than 50 employees. (Elected officials, employees of government and not-for-profit organizations are ineligible unless they are also involved in a for- profit business).

Please contact Susan Farver at sfarver@flochamber.com for nomination questions or submissions. Deadline for nominations is Monday, February 2, 2026. The SBOY award will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Outlook Luncheon on March 18, 2026.

South Carolina’s unemployment insurance tax rates will decrease or hold steady for employers in 2026, per an announcement made earlier this week by Governor Henry McMaster and Executive Director William Floyd of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW).

Unemployment insurance (UI) costs are projected to be $40 million lower overall than in 2025. The rates have decreased or remained the same for the past twelve consecutive years, reducing the tax burden on employers by $355 million dollars. The upcoming 2026 UI tax cut is the largest by percentage since 2011. The average savings for businesses in tax classes 2 through 19 is 34.7%.

Tax rate notices were mailed to businesses last week, and employers can also log into their State Unemployment Insurance Tax System (SUITS) to see their 2026 rate. Click here to view the 2026 tax rate chart.

To read the full story, click here.

Whether it’s a house fire or natural disaster, be ready to help your neighbors in their time of need! Please visit www.redcross.org/dat and train to become a Disaster Action Team or visit www.redcross.org/shelterheroesSC to learn more about becoming an Emergency Shelter Volunteer!

Visit the www.redcross.org/volunteer

McLeod Hospice will celebrate the 40th Annual “A Light for Someone You Love” Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:45 p.m.

The event will be held at McLeod Regional Medical Center on the front lawn of building 2, the McLeod Tower. During the ceremony, the family of Kaye Floyd-Parris will light the trees which represent all of the families who have been served this year by McLeod Hospice.

The Masterworks Choir will also perform during the event, including “All Will Be Well” by Terre Johnson – a song commissioned specifically in honor of the 40th McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting.

Lights are available with gifts to McLeod Hospice of $25 each. Sponsorships are also available for $1,000 in honor of or memory of an individual. One hundred percent of each gift is tax-deductible. Call the McLeod Foundation if you are interested in a sponsorship.

To read the full story, click here.